Car care

Convenience wipes keep your Toyota sparkling

You're entering a hairpin turn on a remote mountain pass and one of your passengers spills soda all over the upholstery. How can you clean up the problem before it becomes a sticky mess?

An explosion of car care products is making it easy to keep your vehicle clean whenever you travel away from home. They also have a practical side: Preventing mishaps from becoming permanent stains on your Toyota's exterior and interior surfaces.

Car Care Wipes "Convenience wipes put cleaning products at arm's reach no matter where you are going," said Lauren Kahn, marketing manager for Amor All. "If you have a spill, you can clean it up quickly before it damages your Toyota."

Armor All started in the early 1970s with a single product designed to protect vinyl and rubber surfaces. The solution was designed by a Southern California chemist looking for a way to protect his new vehicles.

The proliferation of convenience wipes gives consumers a wide variety of choices. Some are designed specifically for windows to prevent streaking. Others are made for upholstery and contain UV protection.

Brake dust can create permanent stains and pitting on your vehicle's wheels. Wipes designed specifically for wheels give travelers a convenient way to remove grime.

"Get the type of wipe meant for the specific application you have in mind," Kahn said.

For instance, bird droppings and sap are particularly harsh to a vehicle's exterior surface. They can etch ghostly outlines into painted surfaces if left unattended for even a day.

"Wipes offer a convenient way to keep your Toyota clean in between washings," Kahn said. "They do not replace the need for traditional washing and waxing products, which are designed for large areas and have additional ingredients for long-lasting results."

Kahn offered the following suggestions for travelers:

Select a cleaning wipe for a specific application. For instance, glass wipes contain solvents meant for windows but not painted surfaces.
Look for exterior wipes that contain solvents specifically designed for automobile painted surfaces. Some products include wax, which helps protect painted surfaces from environmental contaminants.
Choose glass-cleaning wipes that do not contain ammonia to prevent streaking. Glass cleaning products also may include solutions that prevent fogging or water droplets from adhering to the surface.
Interior wipes clean up messes or dust when you're on the road. Some products also offer UV protection to prevent sun damage.
Keep product containers sealed tightly and away from direct sunlight. Does the packaging provide an airtight seal? If not, cloths can dry out quickly and lose their effectiveness.
Dispose of any cleaning cloths that have dried out and do not "recharge" them by adding water. It could alter the chemical composition and not perform properly.
Avoid using paper towels, rags and household cleaners that may scratch or damage surfaces. The cloth used in convenience wipes prevents scratching and contains solvents meant specifically for vehicle surfaces.

"The purpose of cleaning wipes is for on-the-go treatment," Kahn said. "You can remove a spot on your vehicle right then and there no matter where you are traveling."

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