While the last remnants of snow melt and the rains wash away all the salt and deicers from the roads, it's a great time to give your car a springtime makeover. After months of driving over icy roads and getting road salt and other debris all over your vehicle, one of the first things you can do to welcome warmer weather is to wash your car from top to bottom.

What you'll need:
There are a few different items you will need to give your car a thorough bath and dislodge all the debris and dirt that have accumulated in the past season. First, make sure you have a hose with a working spray nozzle. You'll also need plenty of clean rags and sponges. Don't use dirty cloths that could contain particles that may damage the paint job. For the soap, you'll want something mild – dish detergent can be a bit too strong for this job, so make sure to water it down substantially if that's what you plan to use. There are plenty of automotive cleaners out there, but you don't need to use them to get your car shiny and clean like new.

Washing the car:
Choose a shady spot so the soap doesn't dry while you work and leave unattractive soap stains, and rinse the car off entirely before you begin washing. Don't forget to spray the undercarriage of the car as well, since this is where most of the debris will build up. This removes any loose dirt, so you don't accidentally rub it into the surface and leave scratch marks. Then, you can start washing, but take it one section at a time, rinsing off the soap when you're done. 

A clean car is also ideal if you're planning to sell it or trade it in at NJ State Auto Auction for your next used car. When a car looks good, it reassures a buyer that the previous owner took care of it and can help boost the resale value a bit.