For many people, a personal vehicle is one of the largest and most expensive things that they own. With the price of new and used vehicles climbing astronomically, it's more important than ever to take care of your car. Here's why having your car regularly cleaned is a great way to protect your investment.

1. Organic material can corrode vehicles.

Wet leaves and dirt can do more than just make the outside of your vehicle look messy. This type of debris traps water, creating small pools of water that are held against the side of your car. These small amounts of water act as a kind of glue that holds the organic material onto your vehicle.

The acids in organic matter like leaves can then start to eat through the paint on a vehicle. Eventually, this will cause spots in your paint job and after a longer period of time, rust will start to appear. The best way to prevent this is to have your car washed on a regular basis. This will remove large debris and trace amounts of acid that can eat through a vehicle.

2. Microparticles can ruin your paint.

In addition to the acids from organic debris, microparticles in the air can cause small scratches to the surface of your vehicle, eventually leading to larger problems down the road. Particles such as salt from roads and nearby bodies of water, and minerals from the surrounding environment can stick to your car and over time break down your paint. These small particles can cause micro scratches in the paint and plastic components that over time can cause the plastic to look cloudy or fogged. Particles that land on the metal parts of your vehicle can eventually cause small patches of rust.

3. Regular cleaning shows you're a concerned car owner.

According to Grand View Research, over two-thirds of Americans have their vehicles washed at least once a month. In fact, most Americans agree that getting regular car washes shows that an owner cares about the appearance and maintenance of his or her vehicle. Knowing that the car has been regularly cleaned by a professional is a good selling point when it comes time to sell the car. Many potential buyers look at the history of car washes to determine if a previous owner kept up with the maintenance of a vehicle.