Attention Massachusetts Residents! Located on the Atlantic coastline and in the heart of the eastern Snow Belt region, Massachusetts offers one of the most severe and corrosive environments for vehicles. Vehicles in Massachusetts suffer a great deal of salt damage, primarily from two sources: the nearby marine environment, and road de-icing materials. Annual snowfall averages 57 inches - and where there's snow, there's road salt. Road and marine salts are estimated to cause more than $14 billion in damage each year to American automobiles.

Car Cleaning Tip: If you see or feel salt building up on your car during the winter, wash it within a few days to avoid the beginnings of corrosion.

Additionally, environmental groups such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the auto industry alike concede that acid rain, a serious problem in urban and industrial areas within the United States, also causes damage to automotive coatings. When the moisture evaporates, the acid remains - often forming a blemish that looks like a splattered raindrop. Acid rain eats through a car's finish, permanently etching it. In the warmer months, annual rainfall in Massachusetts averages about 44 inches. Once damage is done, the only solution is to repaint. Effects are most noticeable on vehicles with dark or metallic finishes.

Car Cleaning Tip: It's important to wash a car soon after a rainfall, especially if you have a vehicle with a dark or metallic finish!

Other damaging elements such as dirt, tree sap and even bird droppings—which you may be surprised to learn is very acidic if not removed—will permanently stain your car's finish.

Car Cleaning Tip: If you park your car outside, drive long distances, or live in a heavily wooded area, you should also wash your car more frequently.

Research shows that resale or trade-in values for cars can be significantly increased (by more than $1,500) if the exterior and interior of an automobile were well cared for.

Car Cleaning Tip: Massachusetts car owners wishing to preserve their auto investment should wash their car every week for protection against long-term damage from salt, acid rain, and other harmful elements. A professional detail job at least once a year - preferably twice - will keep the carpets and upholstery looking like new.

You can find more helpful Car Cleaning Tips at Car Love.org.