How to Clean a Golf Cart

Follow these tips to clean your golf cart and protect the finish.

If possible, park your golf cart in the shade and in an area that allows the water to run off onto a permeable surface, such as a gravel driveway, patch of dirt, or grassy area. This prevents any chemical pollutants from running directly into the storm drain, where they make their way untreated into nearby lakes and streams.

Remove any equipment from the cart that could be damaged if it gets wet. Take out the floor mats and clean the floorboards with a broom or shop vac. Scrub the floor as needed and rinse with water. Let dry.

If you have removable seat covers, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to wash and dry your covers. Wipe down the vinyl seats with a damp cloth and a mild cleaner if needed. Wipe down the dash, steering wheel, and any interior plastic parts with a damp cloth and mild cleaner.

Next comes the body of your cart. Fill two buckets-one with an all-purpose golf cart solution diluted in water and the other with clean water. A soft sponge will do; however, to avoid scratching your cart’s finish, you may want to use a sheepskin wash mitt. This is your best bet to avoid catching dirt or grit and grinding it deeper into your cart’s finish.

Rinse the wash mitt in clean water and rinse the cart. Clean your cart in sections to avoid letting the soapy water dry on your finish before rinsing. Dry off the cart with soft, clean towels, such as microfiber or waffle-weave. Apply a fresh coat of wax if needed. Scrub the tires with soapy water and a stiff brush. Detail tires as needed.

Take extra care when washing your windshield. There are two basic types of windshield material: acrylic and polycarbonate. Both materials can scratch, but poly scratches more easily. Use mild soapy water and a soft cotton or microfiber cloth to clean your windshield and mirrors. Never use paper towels or glass cleaners such as Windex on your windshield. These could scratch the surface. You can add a bit of automatic dish detergent to prevent spotting. Blot your windshield dry.

If your windshield is already scratched, you may be able to rub out surface scratches with a special windshield polish. You can also use a restorer to freshen up fiberglass, plastic, rubber, and other surfaces on your golf cart.

Cleaning your golf cart on a regular basis will help keep your cart looking as good as new. You can also keep it clean between washes for longer with a golf cart storage cover that slips on and off easily and includes a zipper for convenient access to the interior.