For such a small space, accumulating dirt, crumbs and spillages inside your car’s interior is easily done, especially considering the amount of time some of us spend in our vehicles. However, no matter how pristine your car looks from the outside, you definitely don’t want a cluttered interior when ferrying passengers around. That’s why we’re here to guide you through how to spotlessly clean your car’s interior.
Of course, for the various materials of your car’s interior, you’ll need a host of different cleaning products, applied with different techniques. From leather seats to fabric upholstery, plastic trim to carpeted floors, we’ll cover it all. Read on to find out how to get your car’s interior up to scratch with minimum effort and maximum return.
The essential kit you’ll need to clean your car’s interior
- Vacuum cleaner
- Detailing brush
- Microfibre cloths
- Bin bags
- Upholstery cleaner
- Leather cleaner (dependant on your cars interior)
- Disinfectant spray/wipes
How to clean the inside of a car
1. Arm yourself with a bin bag
Take everything not nailed down out of the car. Grab a bin bag and empty out the glovebox, door pockets, and the boot, and sort through what you don’t need. You may be surprised by what you find: empty wrappers, socks, old sweets – bin them all. It will also be a good idea to remove the floor mats at this point so you can clean them more easily.
2. Get to work with a vacuum
Begin by shaking out the mats you placed on the floor earlier, then switch on your vacuum cleaner and get to work Ideally, you will want a handheld car vacuum as it can be smaller and easier to manoeuvre than a regular household vacuum.
Once you have tackled the mats, you can move to the interior and begin sucking up dirt and debris. Use the vacuum on the headlining (be careful in older cars as the lining may sag) before cleaning the seats (use a crevice tool to get everything), floor and boot.
3. Start wiping down the dashboard and centre console
You’ll notice that your dashboard and centre console accumulate the most dust, it’s the focal point of the car so this makes sense. Grab a microfibre cloth and wipe it down or use your vacuum to remove all the settled dust.
Next, start using your interior shampoo of choice, and set to work cleaning the dashboard, infotainment system and centre console. Use a soft-bristled detailing brush to ensure you clean every surface and then use a microfibre to remove any excess product. Buff the surface to produce a neat, uniform and clean appearance. If your doing a deep spring clean and want to go the extra mile, finish it off by sanitizing any high-traffic spots with disinfectant wipes.
4. Clean the seats
Cleaning the seats in any car varies depending on the material. Whether they’re leather or cloth, each requires different products for proper cleaning. For fabric, vinyl and Alcantara, interior shampoo will be good, but use a specific leather cleaner for leather seats. Apply the product according to the instructions.
If you encounter any stains that your interior shampoo can’t tackle, you may want to try a stain remover. For very large or stubborn stains, the use of a spot cleaner may be required.
5. Clean the door panels, cupholders, and steering wheel
You will want to thoroughly disinfect the door panels, steering wheel, and cup holders as they are high-touch areas and harbour the most bacteria. You can do this with disinfectant spray or wipes, but make sure to wipe away any excess product with a drying towel or microfibre cloth.
If your cupholders are removable, take them out and wash them in some warm water with your preferred dishwashing soap. You can use a sponge to give them a good scrub, and remove any dried coffee or fizzy drinks spills.
6. Wipe interior windows
To clean your car windows effectively, you’ll need an alcohol-based glass cleaner to wipe the windscreen and windows. It’s important to have two microfibre cloths for this task. Use one cloth to spray the product onto the glass and apply it, and the other to dry the window and wipe the glass clean. Remember, it’s crucial to only use glass cleaner to wipe down your windows; otherwise, you risk leaving streakier windows than before you started cleaning.
7. Freshen up your cars smell
Finally, If you want to go that one step further, the most powerful weapon against fighting odours is air freshener bombs. It will tear through the worst smells a wet dog or cigarette can throw at it. But, If you can invest in an air freshener bomb that both smells good and sanitizes your vehicle, your in for a treat.
You can also eliminate any unpleasant odours by making your own air freshener bomb. Just combine baking soda or activated charcoal with a few drops of your favourite essential oil in a container with a lid. Cut a few vents into the lid and securely place it under your seat.
FAQs
How often should you clean your car’s interior?
This boils down to a few factors, including driving conditions and lifestyle. For instance, if you use your car regularly and often transport passengers like small children and pets, the likelihood of wear and tear on your car’s interior is higher. Consequently, you may need to perform daily cleaning rituals more frequently.
However, if that’s not the case, the general consensus is to perform a deep clean two to three times a year. The timing depends on the individual driver and their car, but spring is typically ideal for a deep clean. Positioned in the middle of the year, it’s the perfect opportunity to prepare your car for the warmer months ahead and remove any mud and road salt tracked inside over winter. It’s also recommended to clean it at the end of summer before the winter months.
While a deep clean isn’t necessary on a monthly basis, certain areas inside your car tend to hold onto bacteria more than others and therefore will need more TLC. Sanitise regular touch points like the steering wheel, door handle, and infotainment system monthly, especially during cold and flu season. Its also worth noting that cleaning the inside of your windows and windshield regularly is important, as it improves visibility on the road.
How to keep your car’s interior clean?
Keeping your car’s interior clean can feel like fighting a losing battle. But it doesn’t have to be if you follow these simple and effective tips:
- Keep a small bin in your car to collect empty wrappers, that otherwise are easily lost and never found under your car seat. You’d be surprised what you’ll find down there, especially when you have children in the car.
- Steer clear of eating in the car, especially messy foods that crumble easily or have a strong smell such as drive through food.
- Invest in protective car seat covers. This is a gamechanger, especially if you have young children who like to cause spillages on your back seats. Not only that, it will provide extra protection against UV sun damage that can otherwise fade your car seats.
- Consider an over-the-seat organiser to store travel items and entertainment for kids. This will keep your car in check and avoid random items being left in places they shouldn’t be.
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