Winter Prep Checklist for Your Car’s Interior and Exterior

As winter’s icy breath sweeps across the crossroads of St. Paul, Maplewood, and Roseville, Minnesota’s roads turn into a battleground of snow, salt, and slush, threatening to dull your car’s shine and muck up its interior. At Rice Street Car Wash, we’re here to help you fortify your ride against the season’s wrath. Our Petit 360 Automatic Car Wash, self-serve bays ($4 for 4 minutes), and Unlimited Wash Club perks—free vacuums and 50% off Family Plans—make winter prep a breeze. Follow this checklist to ready your car’s interior and exterior, ensuring it gleams like the Mississippi under a frosty Twin Cities sunset. If anything goes wrong, we’ll make it right—guaranteed.

Exterior Winter Prep Checklist

Minnesota winters are relentless, coating your car in corrosive salt and grime. Protect its exterior with these steps at Rice Street Car Wash:

1. Wash Away Salt and Grime: Road salt eats at paint and undercarriages like frostbite on a January night. Use the Petit 360’s high-pressure jets, heated even at 15–20 below zero, to blast away salt, followed by the Spot-Free Rinse for a streak-free finish. In the self-serve bays, target wheel wells with Tire and Engine Cleaner. Wash weekly—daily with our Unlimited Wash Club—to prevent corrosion. Credit card users, start washing immediately after swiping and hit the flashing green button to stop the charge.

2. Apply Protective Wax: A waxed car repels salt like water off a duck’s back. Use the Petit 360’s High Pressure Wax Sealant or apply Mothers Wax Protectant ($8.49 at our shop), buffing with a microfiber towel (from $3 to $15 for the XXXL waffle, the perfect dry towel) for a glossy shield. Reapply monthly to maintain protection.

3. Clean Windows and Lights: Clear visibility is critical in snowy blizzards. Spray Meguiar’s Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner ($4.99) on a microfiber towel to polish windows and headlight lenses, removing haze and ensuring bright beams. In the self-serve bay, use Bug Cleaner to clear stubborn grime from the windshield’s “eyebrow.”

4. Protect Door Seals and Locks: Prevent frozen doors by wiping seals and locks with a microfiber towel after washing to remove water. Wash early in the day when temps are warmer, and use the Petit 360’s Spot-Free Rinseto minimize residue.

Pro Tip: Join our Unlimited Wash Club for daily Petit 360 washes and 50% off Family Plans to keep every car in your household winter-ready, saving you money and time.

Interior Winter Prep Checklist

Winter’s mess doesn’t stop at your car’s exterior—salty boots and slushy spills invade your cabin. Keep it pristine with these steps:

1. Vacuum Thoroughly: Salt, dirt, and crumbs from winter boots pile up fast. Unlimited Wash Club members enjoy free vacuums at our high-powered stations. Vacuum WeatherTech mats and carpets, then use Shout Auto Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner ($5.49) with a microfiber towel to lift stains, leaving seats plush and inviting.

2. Clean and Protect Mats: Salty slush cakes WeatherTech mats, dulling their rugged look. Clip them into our self-serve bay’s mat clamps and hit them with Concentrated Low Pressure Soap and High Pressure Rinse. Dry with the XXXL waffle microfiber towel for a showroom finish.

3. Polish Hard Surfaces: Salt haze dulls dashboards and consoles. Apply Meguiar’s Ultimate Protectant ($7.99) with a microfiber towel to restore a satin glow and block UV damage. For tight spots like air vents, wrap a microfiber towel around a small brush for dust-free precision.

4. Treat Leather Seats: If your car has leather, winter’s dry air can crack it. Use Mothers Leather Cleaner ($7.99) to remove grime, then apply Mothers Leather Conditioner ($8.49) with a microfiber towel for a soft, supple finish that feels as cozy as a St. Paul café.

Pro Tip: Use our free vacuum stations with your Unlimited Wash Club membership to keep interiors spotless between washes, saving on costly detailing.

Why Winter Prep Matters

Unprepared cars face rust, faded paint, and stained interiors, slashing resale value and racking up repair costs. Regular washing and maintenance at Rice Street Car Wash prevent damage, keeping your car as radiant as a Twin Cities sunset. Our eco-friendly soaps and water-saving Variable Frequency Drives protect the Mississippi while delivering a professional clean, even in subzero temps.

Our Promise: We’ll Make It Right

Your satisfaction is our priority. If you encounter any issue—like a missed spot or a payment glitch—reach out at www.ricestreetcarwash.com. We’ll always make it right, ensuring you drive away happy with a winter-ready car.

Conquer Winter with Rice Street

Rooted at the crossroads of St. Paul, Maplewood, and Roseville, Rice Street Car Wash is as steadfast as the Mississippi’s flow or Como Park’s oaks. Our Petit 360, self-serve bays, and Unlimited Wash Club with free vacuums and 50% off Family Plans, plus premium products like Meguiar’s, Mothers, and Shout Auto, make winter prep effortless. Roll in today to fortify your car against Minnesota’s chill, gleaming like a polished gem. Visit www.ricestreetcarwash.com or follow us on social for more car care tips to keep your ride radiant through every season.

Drive the shine, conquer the winter at Rice Street!

Rice Street Car Wash: Where Your Car Defies the Cold.