How To Clean A Golf Cart (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

Properly cleaning a golf cart is something that will prolong the lifespan of your cart.

The more care you put into your cart, the more it will be worth it if you try to sell it.

There is a substantial market for used carts, and it’s a great idea to keep your cart in good condition.

Whether you plan to sell or not, we have put together the ultimate guide on how to clean a golf cart.

This guide will break down all parts of the cart and what you should be doing to clean it thoroughly and adequately.

 

What Are The Areas Of A Golf Cart That I Need To Clean?

As a golf cart owner, you are well aware that just like your car, your golf cart needs a good clean from time to time.

When you go beyond just the quick rinse, you may not be sure what other areas of your golf cart need to be attended to.

Here are a few things to think about the next time you do a deep clean on your golf cart.

• Vinyl Seat Cleaning
• Plastic Cleaning
• Aluminum
• Batteries
• Battery Terminals
• The underside of the cart
• Wheels
• Windshield

How To Clean Golf Cart Plastic

There are several different materials that your cart is made up of, and you need to treat each one with the proper care.

We will start with how to clean the plastic on your golf cart.

 

Step 1: Remove Contents of The Golf Cart

Before cleaning the golf cart plastic, make sure to remove all contents from your cart.

Take your golf clubs off, take everything out of the cup holders, and anything you were holding in the dash.

 

Step 2: Prepare a Bucket With A Mild Cleaner

In a bucket, use a mild household cleaner, even dish soap will work fine.

Mix the cleaner with water.

Take a microfiber towel and dip it into the cleaning solution that you created.

 

If you do not want to use dish soap or need something stronger, here is a recommended cleaner.  

The Z care LVP Golf Cart Cleaner.

The Z Care LVP Golf Cart Cleaner is a specially formulated cleaner that is designed to take care of all areas of the golf cart.

Make sure not to use this on your windshield as windshields need very mild cleaners applied carefully.

 

Step 3: Wipe Down

Now you must take that microfiber cleaning cloth and start wiping down all the plastic areas of the golf cart.

Make sure you get the sides of the seat (the part that isn’t vinyl or leather).

Clean the dash and the cup holders thoroughly.

Save the windshield for another project.

 

Step 4: Rinse The Golf Cart

Once the areas have all been cleaned, take a clean rag and rinse and then dry off all the plastic.

The plastic should get clean very quickly.

If you have large areas of plastic on your cart, you can use a hose to rinse, but be careful spraying a hose on the dash if you have some electronics or your ignition, etc.

Once your plastic is clean, you can then work on applying products that will help restore or polish it.

 

How To Clean An Aluminum Golf Cart Frame

Cleaning aluminum on your golf cart takes a bit more work than it does to clean the plastic.

Where plastic is just simple soap and water and spray, with aluminum you should use a specific aluminum cleaner

Not only is it going to be better for the aluminum and clean it quicker and easier, but it could potentially do less damage as well.

Dirt and grime can accumulate on aluminum, and it will eventually lose it’s shine as well.

You will want to use an aluminum cleaner and restorer.

Here is a product we recommend. 

STAR BRITE Ultimate Aluminum Cleaner & Restorer – Safely Clean Pontoon Boats, Jon Boats & Canoes

This particular model comes with a small sprayer that works perfectly on golf cart aluminum.

Put the product on an application pad and scrub the aluminum.

Make sure that the applicator you are using is the proper strength and material for aluminum.

Once you have the product on there and you begin the scrubbing process, you should see it start to foam up.

When you are finished, spray down the aluminum parts, so they no longer have the chemical on them.

All the debris should wash off as well.

When you rinse the aluminum, you should notice a significant difference in the coloring and cleanliness of the aluminum.

Once the aluminum is clean, you can also use a polish on it to get it even cleaner.

The polish is not always necessary, but it may help the next time you have to clean aluminum.

 

How To Get Mildew Off Of Golf Cart Seats

 

Sometimes when the cart sits for an extended period, especially if it is covered, mildew can grow.

Although mildew on vinyl looks like it is going to be a big problem to take care of, it is not a complicated fix.

The first thing you will need to do is prepare some bleach and water.

You will need about one part bleach for every two parts water.

Park your cart outside in an open and airy place.

Bleach can be powerful to work with, and if you do it indoors, it can be dangerous.

All you need to do is take a sponge or soft cleaning pad and start scrubbing the vinyl with the bleach mixture.

You will notice the mildew will start to clear up almost instantly.

Once you scrub the seats down completely, be sure to rinse them with a clean cloth.

When all the bleach is rinsed off, then you can dry the seats.

Don’t wear your best clothes to do this project as the bleach will tend to discolor things.

If your seats look lighter after using the bleach solution, it is most likely because they are just clean now, and not because of any discoloration caused.

Bleach removes dirt and grime in addition to the mildew.

If you are not comfortable with bleach, here is another recommended product to use.

3G MOLD, MILDEW & STAIN REMOVER/CLEANER FOR GOLF CART 

You can apply this product to your cart, wipe off, and in a matter of minutes, your cart will be mildew free.

 

How To Remove Water Spots From A Golf Cart

If you have water spots on your golf cart, there are a few different methods that you can use to remove them.

For starters, it is best to prevent water spots in the first place by drying your golf cart after you clean it.

You should never do a thorough wash of your cart and let it sit to dry, always dry it with a towel.

Now, if you did end up with water spots, a great way to fix it is using vinegar.

Put a little bit of vinegar into a spray bottle.

Spray the vinegar onto the water spot on your golf cart.

Let it sit for a minute and then wipe it off.

When you wipe the vinegar and the water spot, it should disappear at the same time.

You may need to do this process a few times if you have a very old and difficult to remove water spot.

We love using vinegar because it is a more natural cleaner and it’s also very cheap.

 

How To Clean Golf Cart Batteries

When it comes to golf cart batteries, you don’t have to truly clean the battery as much as you need to clean the terminal.

The terminal of the battery (where all the wires are connected) is where you will see corrosion start to occur.

If you ignore this fact and let it continue, it will deteriorate the battery terminal.

When this happens, your battery will become completely useless, even if the battery itself had plenty of life left in it.

To properly clean the terminals, take a cup of warm water and add a bit of baking soda to it.

Mix the baking soda and water.

Next, you will want to get an old toothbrush and take the mixture and carefully apply it to the terminals using the toothbrush.

Never do this while your cart is on.

Don’t use anything harsher than a toothbrush as you could do some damage.

Make sure you thoroughly coat all areas of the terminal.

You will notice that there is probably a good deal of bubbling going on, and you will see the corrosion start to come off the terminals.

Once you are finished scrubbing, take a dry cloth and wipe the battery.

The top of your battery will be covered with all of the junk that was just cleaned off.

An extra special tip of advice when working on this process is to pay careful attention as to where you complete the work.

If you do this on concrete or your grass, you will be left with a mess underneath your cart.

Put cardboard underneath your batteries on the ground before you do this.

When you are finished, and the batteries are dry, you can simply throw the cardboard out.

If you are looking for a stronger alternative for cleaning your battery, this is the product we recommend. 

CRC 05023 BATTERY CLEANER WITH ACID INDICATOR – 11 WT OZ.

You simply spray this on the battery and then wipe off.

It works quite well and still requires the same basic steps that the baking soda water solution requires.  

 

How To Restore Plastic On A Golf Cart

Over time your golf cart will start to lose some of the colors in the plastic.

Right after you wash it, it probably shines, and then it quickly fades.

There is a great product you can use that will help restore many of the surfaces on the cart.

Some people use a tire shine product, but unfortunately, that can get very slippery if you use it on floorboards, and it also smells strongly.

Unfortunately, the tire shine will also fade in just a matter of days.

Some golf courses will use it to get their carts looking good for a tournament knowing that it won’t last very long.

The RustOleam Wipe Clean Product will last for several months, and it can get your plastic looking brand new again.

Simply follow the instructions included with this package to wipe clean and apply the product to your plastic.

The difference should be noticeable, almost immediately.

 

How To Clean A Golf Cart Engine

If you feel as though the engine of your golf cart needs a good cleaning, you can spray it with a hose.

Make sure your golf cart is not hot when you do this.

Also, you don’t want to drown anything in water; just spray it all off.

When you are finished, let the cart dry for quite some time before trying to operate it.

You can also use a degreaser if you feel as though there is oil buildup on the engine itself.

If you genuinely want to clean an engine of a golf cart, you need to bring it to a professional.

They will likely remove the golf cart engine, take it apart, clean it, and put it all back together.

This is not a process that you should feel as though you need to do each year.

If you are very mechanically inclined, then you may want to try this process, but this is not at all for a person who does not understand mechanics.

 

How To Wash Underneath Your Golf Cart

If you feel as though your golf cart has been through some muddy areas, you may feel the need to clean the underside of the cart.

Most cart owners will just lay on the ground and spray the cart out.

If you have a lift, you can also put it into place and spray the underside of the cart.

Either method will work, but there is one tip of advice we have.

Do this process before any other detailing work you may do to your cart. 

Because of the angle of the hose when spraying from underneath, the mud and dirt will fly everywhere.

Make sure to complete this process first.
 

How To Clean Golf Cart Wheels

 

Golf cart wheels tend to collect brake dust.

When you are cleaning your cart, you can take the hose and spray inside the wheel area to make sure it is getting clean.

Also, use your microfiber cleaning cloth to wipe down the wheels.

You can use a brush to clean the tires of your cart as well.

When it comes to tire shine products, you may want to skip them as they can eventually lead to your tires breaking down.

They just don’t need the extra chemicals, and it is not great to have it dripping all over the wheels, either.

 

How To Disinfect/Sanitize A Golf Cart

If you feel as though your golf cart needs to be disinfected, there are a few easy steps you can follow.

For starters, you should always keep a container of hand sanitizer in your cart, just to keep your hands clean and transfer less dirt and germs to your cart.

When you talk about sanitizing, you need to consider the parts that have had the most human interaction.

The steering wheel is the prime location.

You can use a disinfecting wipe to clean off the steering wheel and any handles or grab bars.

After you have hit these places, it is a good idea to discard the wipe that you used.

Next, you want to focus on secondary locations like the dashboard, cup holders, storage containers, and seats.

You can use the same type of disinfecting wipes to clean all of these areas.

Let your cart sit outside to dry, and it should be disinfected and ready for use again.

 

The Best Golf Cart Cleaning Products

To clean your golf cart properly, several products will help make it easier for you.

Here is a list of our top ten favorite products to use to clean your golf cart.

Some will focus on different areas that need to be cleaned.

 

1) STAR BRITE Ultimate Aluminum Cleaner & Restorer – Safely Clean Pontoon Boats, Jon Boats & Canoes

The products on our list will clean a variety of surfaces.

If your cart has any aluminum on it, the Star Brite product is the best you will find.

This particular model comes with a small sprayer that works perfectly on golf cart aluminum.

This Star Brite cleaner is also a restorer and could get your aluminum looking better than you have ever seen it.

When you are finished with the cleaning, you can always use the polish, also made by Star Brite, to make sure your aluminum keeps the shine.

With a product this size, you won’t have to replace this very often, and you should get plenty of applications out of this one 64 oz container.
 

2) Z care LVP Golf Cart Cleaner

The Z Care LVP Golf Cart Cleaner is a specially formulated cleaner that is designed to take care of all areas of the golf cart.

Make sure not to use this on your windshield as windshields need very mild cleaners applied carefully.

However, if you have some stains on your cart from rust, sap, or bird droppings, this cleaner does a great job of removing them.

You won’t need this cart cleaner for a basic rinse down.

However, if you are doing some detail work on your cart, the LVP does a great job.

 

3) 303 (30216-6PK) Products Automotive Speed Detailer

Next on our list is the 303 Products Automotive Speed Detailer.

This product will work on both your vehicle and your golf cart.

Again, this is not a product you need for a basic clean but more for any detail work you want to do on your golf cart.

You will get a high gloss finish when using the 303 product.

You also get a UV protection that will help fading that may take place on your golf cart.

We love that this product does not have any oils, so it will not stain or leave behind any residue.

Use a microfiber towel to apply this product and make sure to read the details as to what surfaces this is safe for.

 

4) 3G Mold, Mildew & Stain Remover/Cleaner for Golf Cart 

If you read our guide about how to remove mildew from your golf cart, you may have seen that we recommended bleach.

If you are not comfortable with bleach and you want an alternative, the 3G is a great product.

You can apply this product to your cart, wipe off, and in a matter of minutes, your cart will be mildew free.

This is a simple to use product that is good to keep on hand if you store your cart in a humid environment where mildew grows quickly.

 

5) EZGO Restorer for Fiberglass and Plastic

EZGO does not make too many golf cart cleaning products; however, this is a good one.

The EZGO Restorer for Fiberglass and Plastic is an instant polish that you can apply to your golf cart.

Essentially you can get your gel-coat almost back to its original condition.

The EZGO Restorer comes in an easy to apply the spray, but this can won’t last you too long.

If you need it for your personal golf cart then it is a great product, if you have a fleet of carts, it gets a bit expensive.

 

6) Rust-Oleum, Clear RRCAL Wipe New Multi-Surface Formula ReCOLOR Kit

The Rust-Oleum, Clear Wipe Multi-Surface Formula will help your restore color on the plastic of your cart.

With this kit, you can cover about 100 square feet, which should last you quite some time on your golf cart.

The formula has UV Protection to help the plastic stay looking good for a long time.

This product will dry in about an hour, and you can be on your way with a cart that will look very different.

 

7) AmazonBasics Blue, White, and Yellow Microfiber Cleaning Cloth – Pack of 24

The AmazonBasics Microfiber Cleaning cloths are a product that you will want to keep around when you own a golf cart.

Whether you are detailing, washing, or just wiping, this is the perfect material not to cause or create damage to your cart.

Buying a pack of 24 helps to save money and makes it fine to toss in the trash if one of them gets pretty dirty.

 

8) Boat Juice Cleaner Kit 

You may find that many of the boat cleaning products will also work on golf carts.

This is mainly because many of the same materials that you find on boats will also be on golf carts.

These kits help you wash and wax certain surfaces.

Take a look at the list of accepted surfaces that this product can be used before applying it.

 

9) Novus PC-10 Plastic Clean & Shine 8 oz with Mudteck for Off-Road Vehicles

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The Novus PC-10 Plastic Clean and Shine will help get all of the plastic on your cart cleaned and looking great.

We love this option for those of you that take your cart off-road.

There is a unique formula that helps to get all of that mud off.

Sometimes mud can be challenging to get off, especially when it dries, and the Novus does a great job of releasing it.

 

10) CRC 05023 Battery Cleaner with Acid Indicator – 11 Wt Oz.

Last we have the CRC Battery Cleaner.

If you remember from our guide, we recommend a baking soda and water solution.

This is an alternative to that solution.

You simply spray this on the battery and then wipe off.

It works quite well and still requires the same basic steps that the baking soda water solution requires.