, washing the car is a pleasure. They take pride in the attention to detail needed to do a good job. Their cars are prized possessions and they enjoy treating them that way.

For others, it’s a chore. But no matter where you sit on the spectrum, keeping your car clean inside and out can end up saving you thousands of dollars down the road—not to mention, it helps keep people from thinking you’re gross.

For the less inclined toward a good car wash, former Consumer Reports automotive editor Rik Paul and

New York Times

writer Thomas Dunn came up with a helpful list of car cleaning necessities. Here are the highlights.

The best stuff for washing the body of your car

Dunn and Paul’s list starts with the basics: soap. They recommend Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash, saying that for a fair price (approx. $10 a bottle), it does a good job of lifting dirt, bird poo, and other undesirables off your

car paint

without causing any damage.

For a washcloth, they suggest the Relentless Drive Ultimate Car Wash Mitt because of its ability to get into all the nooks and crannies. For the much forgot task of drying, they say Meguiar’s Water Magnet drying towel will do the best job.

They also highlight a lot of cleaners for specific jobs like wheels, glass, and bugs. The most important one, in our opinion, is the Meguiar Quik Detailer, which will help with stubborn spots without damaging your paint job.

MORE: DIY and Eco-Friendly–These Waterless at-Home Car Wash Tips Save Money and the Planet

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Gear for cleaning your car’s interior

The inside of your car often gets neglected, but it’s equally as important to clean in order to maintain your car’s value. For some, a quick once-over with a vacuum and a wet cloth will do. But for the detail-oriented, you’ll need a few task-specific items.

For the best interior detailer, Meguiar reached the top of the list again with its Quik Interior Detailer Cleaner. Paul and Dunn say it doesn’t leave a residue like some competing brands and also protects vinyl from UV rays. The brand’s Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner also made the list.

For those with

leather upholstery

, Lexol’s Leather Deep Cleaner was recommended. The Lexol brand makes products specifically for leather care, so you know it can be trusted for the job. Just don’t use it on any suede.

Products for taking care of the details

If you want to go the extra mile or you simply want to avoid spending money on a detailer, Paul and Dunn recommend a few products that will get your car looking spiffy.

The best polish, in their eyes, is Nu Finish Car Polish, which they say is used by the pros as well as the hobbyist and keen cleaner. Meguiar’s 3-in-1 Wax was also highlighted as a reliable paint protector.

Quixx Paint Scratch Remover gives car owners a fast and easy way to fix pesky scratches from keys and branches while Mother’s Back-to-Black Trim and Plastic Restorer will have your bumper looking like new in no time.

Maybe the most important thing on the list in terms of safe driving is Sylvania’s Headlight Restoration Kit, which will clear your headlights of fog and moisture in about 30 minutes.

Other ways to protect your car

MORE:

How to Remove Coffee Stains from Your Car's Upholstery

Keeping your car clean and in good condition will help you maintain its resale value, but it likely won’t protect you in the case of a car accident. You need

car insurance

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