Car expert's game-changing 'two bucket' cleaning method will avoid dreaded scratches

Keep your car scratch-free and sparkling like new with this genius cleaning hack that could save you hundreds of pounds every single year. Plus, it will only set you back £5

Get those wheels shining with this foolproof cleaning method.

The average UK car is cleaned 14 times every year, with research* from Motorpoint suggesting almost half (42 per cent) of drivers pay a professional to do the job. But with the average car wash costing £15, that means many motorists are forking out more than £210 every year just to keep their vehicle sparkling and fresh.

Many Brits avoid tackling the job themselves in fear of accidentally scratching and scuffing their car, which would end up costing a lot more to repair. Luckily, there is a game-changing hack to ensure your car won't suffer from an at-home wash. Motorpoint's resident car cleaning expert Ben Custard has urged Brits to keep on top of their car's maintenance and to break the job down to make it feel less 'daunting'. For example, you don't have to wash the exterior on the same day you're planning on vacuuming the inside, and can split these chores into two separate days.

"I will always suggest the two-bucket method when it comes to cleaning your car as it's the easiest way to prevent scratches and unsightly swirl marks," the ace explained. "Plus, all you need is two buckets – one with car shampoo and the other with clean water so you can rinse off the mitt to remove any lingering dirt that could damage your bodywork."

Ben advises rinsing your car first to remove 'any loose surface dirt' that might have etched onto the body of the vehicle. "Then, once you've got your two buckets ready, start lightly scrubbing in overlapping straight lines from the top of your vehicle with a soapy sponge or mitt," he added. "Be sure to submerge your mitt in clean water regularly to remove as much dirt and debris as possible before moving on to the next section of your car."

The car pro also recommends investing in a grit guard to 'trap any debris' that you have rinse off your sponge to prevent it 'ending up back on your car and potentially scratching it'. These handy little devices sit at the bottom of your bucket and isolate any debris, grit, or dirt from your sponge of wash mitt. It also helps the wash solution remain cleaner for longer. You can pick up Grit Guards from a slew of car maintenance retailers or online. For example, Halfords is currently selling a version for a 20L bucket for just £5.

*Motorpoint surveyed more than 2,000 UK car owners

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