Driving around in a clean, shiny car feels good — especially on a warm spring day. But when your trips to the car wash become few and far between, the looks and resale value of your car can depreciate fast.

Not having your vehicle professionally cleaned allows dirt and grime to cake onto the car, eventually leading to paint damage and rust. Routinely having the outside of your car washed and waxed is not just a good idea for aesthetic reasons; it’s also a maintenance tip that should not be overlooked.

If you have neglected your car for several months, don’t worry, spring is a good time to get started again by bringing it in to an auto wash or auto detailing business for a full-service wash.

“The rule of thumb is to make sure you get your car washed and waxed with the change of each season,” said Mevlin McKay, owner of Quick N Brite Mobile Detail in Charlotte.

“Each season brings different problems to your car. Keeping care of the outside of your car is a lot like taking care of your skin. People don’t see the resale value of their car when they have it. You can lose $2,000 on the value of your car if you don’t take proper care of the outside.”

Having a dirty car is never a good thing.

Salt on the road used to melt ice and snow during the winter months collects on the body of your car over time and, if left untreated, can cause rust to form much quicker than on routinely washed cars.

Bird droppings, dirt and debris can also significantly affect your car’s paint, eventually leading to a dull look. McKay said bird droppings alone can start to damage the paint in two days.

Shawn Galici, owner of Miami Auto Spa Car Wash & Auto Detailing Center, said it’s important to wash, wax and then treat your car with a clay bar. Clay bars essentially act as a buffer that can remove harmful contaminants, such as brake dust, that washing can only touch.

“Everyday driving allows your car’s paint to attract debris such as dirt, rust, sap from trees, salt and bugs,” Galici said. “This grime embeds in your car’s paint dulling the reflective nature of the light, producing a lackluster shine.”

McKay said people living in areas of the country that see a lot of snow — and therefore salt — need to think about cleaning the underbody of the car frequently as well.

“I recommend having the underbellies washed twice a year to prevent rust,” McKay said. “And I would say at least four or five times a year if you drive in areas that have salt on the roads. Salt can destroy the underbelly of your car.”

In Florida and other warm-weather states, frequent sun exposure can cause problems for your paint. Galici recommends washing the car whenever it gets dirty and waxing every three months.

“The Florida sun is brutal,” he said.

McKay recommends washing your car at least every other week. Waxing, meanwhile, should be applied to cars twice a year, he said.

Most car wash businesses offer a variety of washes, from basic to premium. A basic wash at a drive-thru shop can go for as low as $3, while a premium wash can be up to $20 or more.

Keeping your car washed and clean just makes sense if you’re looking to sell it or trade it in. A clean car is much more attractive to a potential buyer than a dirty one and could help you sell it much quicker.

“When you see a car, you notice the paint first,” Galici said. “If it shines, the person is thought of as having cared for the car.”

To ensure your vehicle is properly cleaned, McKay suggests taking it to a qualified auto cleaner.

“Oftentimes when people clean the car themselves they use the wrong products,” he said. “Washing a car with dish detergent is a no-no. It has different chemicals that can scratch some of the paint off. Take care of your car and you’ll get your money back when you trade it in.”

Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie’s List, a trusted resource for local consumer reviews on everything from home improvement to automotive repair.