You invested hard-earned money into your new Mazda CX-5. So, of course, you'll want to do everything possible to take care of your investment. Most people know that routine maintenance, like oil changes, brake inspections, and tire rotations, will help keep your vehicle in peak condition. However, many car owners don't realize that cleaning and detailing their new vehicle is also crucial to the longevity of their car. And within the small percentage of those that spend their weekends washing, waxing, and polishing, many don't understand how to perform these tasks properly.

That's why we had our detailing experts put together this post on how to correctly detail your Mazda. We even include some tips and tricks on how to do the job faster and with better results.

We suggest you start with the interior and finish on the outside. Before beginning, remove all the contents from the inside, such as floor mats. Don't forget to empty the rear storage compartment of gear, tools, and spare tire. Then, in order, follow these steps:

Vacuum Everything

We recommend you vacuum the entire interior — not just the carpets and seats. You can invest in a vacuum with several attachments to make the job easier. A soft brush helps remove dust and debris from tiny crevices. It prevents scratching the delicate wood and metal appliques that give your Mazda CX-5 its refined style.

Then, you can switch to a long, thin attachment to reach between seats and other areas that the standard extension can't access. Some vacuums include a firm attachment with ridges designed to release particulates lodged in the fabric's weave. Be gentle in all your vacuuming and take slow, deliberate strokes. Although a soft brush is the primary tool, the sides and tube can scratch surfaces with wayward strokes.

Clean Your Floor Mats

Your vacuum cleaner is the best choice for cleaning floor mats. Opt for the fabric attachment if you have carpet mats, but any attachment will suffice on rubber mats. We suggest you apply a quality stain remover after vacuuming. Your floor mats have days, weeks, and sometimes months of ground-in dirt stains from your work shoes or the kids' sneakers.

On rubber mats, use a scrub brush and gently work a cleaning agent appropriate for the material. We recommend you check the cleaning agent's label to ensure it's safe to use.

Clean the Seats

The best choice for cleaning your cloth seats is the same stain remover you used on your floor mats. A good stain remover will take away those pesky coffee spills. Leather seating surfaces require leather cleaners and conditioners. Ensure you have the correct cleaner and conditioner, as each type of leather requires unique cleaning agents. In addition, every leather cleaner and conditioner requires its own application technique, so follow the instructions carefully.

Clean and Polish the Consoles, Dashboard, and Trim

These surfaces can have various materials, such as plastic, metal, wood, leather, and suede. Your Mazda CX-5 could have all these, but you can't use one cleaner for everything. Again, read the label before using it to ensure you don't damage the material. Harsh chemicals in some cleaners can dull and degrade these surfaces, ruining your efforts to clean them and costing you money to repair or replace them.

We always recommend using soft towels for cleaning. Paper towels work fine, except they leave behind tiny particles. It's best to use a dust-free cloth for premium results. A good tip is to use cotton swabs to get into those small nooks and crannies your towel can't reach. Canned air customarily used for cleaning electronics can help clean those hard-to-reach areas, especially if it's a surface where you can't use chemicals.

Clean Your Windows

You won't spend much time cleaning your windows if you take the right approach and don't fall into the Windex trap. Windex contains ammonia and works well when cleaning regular glass panes. However, your Mazda CX-5 has tinted windows that can be damaged by ammonia, causing the tint to discolor. Therefore, to be sure your glass cleaner is safe for tinted glass, we suggest purchasing one designed specifically for the auto industry. You'll have several options at your local auto parts store.

You may have heard that newspapers work best to dry your windows, and it's true. The paper used in newspapers absorbs better than paper towels. You'll be left with streak-free windows free of dusty debris.

Wash the Exterior

So you've completed the interior detailing, and it's time for the exterior. You'll need different equipment, such as a pressure washer or hose, several buckets, and various sponges and cloths. You'll also want a gentle scrub brush and, of course, the proper cleaning agents for paint, chrome, steel, and rubber.

We suggest you begin with the painted surfaces, which require a cleaner that strips away dirt without damaging the cover coat protecting your paint. First, prepare two buckets with water— add soap to one, and keep the other for rinsing. You can use a hose to spray your vehicle, but we prefer a pressure washer. Next, hose down the entire car, including the undercarriage and wheels.

Use a sponge designed for cars and wash your CX-5 with soapy water. Never use an abrasive sponge, such as the type you use to clean dishes. These scrub pads will scratch through your protective coat and into the paint, leading to costly repairs. Instead, gently work the soapy water around small sections like a panel or door. Then, use a clean sponge and water to rinse off the soap. Once you've done the entire vehicle, you can hose it off.

Clean Your Wheels

Your Mazda CX-5 has aluminum alloy wheels, so check the label of your cleaner to ensure it's safe to use on them. Then, follow the cleaning agent's instructions and only use soft-bristled brushes and cloths to prevent damage. Once you've scrubbed them clean, give them a good rinse.

Wax Your CX-5

Wax protects your car's paint from road dirt, debris, and the sun's harsh rays. Every time you wash your CX-5, some wax resin comes off. Therefore, we strongly recommend you apply a new coat of wax after every wash. You don't need a motorized buffer to work the wax in, but it helps. Otherwise, a terry cloth towel works fine.

At Bountiful Mazda, we want your CX-5 to look like new for as long as you own it. We hope this article gives you a better understanding of how to give your vehicle the care it deserves. Our parts center stocks all the cleaning agents you need to care for your Mazda. Feel free to order them online ; we'll have them ready when you arrive.