There is just something about that new car look and smell that is enough to make hearts stop. If you are tooling around in a new ride, chances are you would like to keep that pristine feel going for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are things you can do to maintain a near showroom look.

To keep your car looking great or even to help rehab an older car and make it shine, consider:

Keeping up with a washing and waxing schedule – It is a very good idea to keep new cars and even older ones washed and waxed. Waxing, in particular, can assist with making it easier to remove road debris that can damage paint. Try to clean a new car at least once every two weeks or so as conditions demand. Wax as needed.

Investing in an emergency cleaning kit – Having the tools of the cleaning trade on hand when they are needed can help with new car preservation. Carpet cleaner, interior polish and a cleanser to take off road hazards like bird droppings should be included.

When accidents do happen, such as spills in the inside or gunk on the outside, clean them up as quickly as possible to avoid permanent damage.

Restrict damaging actions – Nothing can ruin a new car faster than smoking, eating or drinking inside. If at all possible, limit these activities or ban them all together.

Keeping a car looking good does require some work. It can pay off, however, with a more comfortable ride and a vehicle you can be proud of miles down the road.