Cars, especially when used on a regular basis, can become dirty and cluttered. This will make driving not the most pleasant experience. Whenever it is time to clean the interior of your car, you can always reach out to professional companies that will thoroughly do that. However, that is often expensive and unnecessary. You will be surprised to see how easily you could tackle this job with some free time on your hands and some simple cleaning tools and supplies.
How often you clean your vehicle depends on how often you use it, your driving condition, the number of passengers, whether you have children or pets, and what you use the vehicle for. Of course, safety is one of the top priorities when driving. Clean your windows on the inside at least once a month and make sure you will be able to see everything on the road clearly. Remove clutter and trash from the floor (especially from the driver’s floorboard and dashboard) whenever it starts interfering with the driver’s control of the vehicle.
We will show you how to thoroughly clean the interior of your car at home, without spending lots of money on professional services. Follow these steps and make sure you have not missed a thing.
What you will need:
| rubbish bin | vacuum with different attachments |
| microfiber cloths | cotton swabs |
| sponge | stiff-bristled brush |
| bucket | duster |
| old toothbrush | plastic scraper/dull knife |
| ammonia-free window cleaner | dishwashing liquid |
| disinfecting wipes | water |
| paper towel | baking soda |
| oxygenated bleach | leather cleaner/saddle soap |
| upholstery/carpet cleaner | white distilled vinegar |
Instructions:
1. Remove all rubbish, clutter, and debris – Take everything out of the cup holders, door pockets, and seat pockets. Declutter the floorboards and the dashboard, and remove car seats, toys, accessories, and everything else that may get in the way.
2. Remove and clean the floor mats – Those are usually the dirtiest items in a car. Remove them to make things easier. Shake them off before you begin cleaning. If your car is carpeted, use a carpet or upholstery cleaner and follow the same steps.
For rubber, vinyl or silicone mats, use a hose to remove excess soil and dirt. Mix a solution of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Dip a scrub brush in the mixture and clean the mats, rinse them well and let them air-dry.
3. Clean the interior windows and mirror – Use a microfiber cloth and some ammonia-free glass cleaner. Ammonia can damage some of the car’s interior plastic so make sure to avoid it. You can mix your own glass cleaner with a 1:1 mixture of dish soap and water. Lower the windows slightly and clean them from top to bottom.
4. Clean the centre console – The centre console usually includes cup holders and ashtrays that may get messy. If they are removable, take them out and clean them separately. Dip them in some soapy water and scrub them with a sponge. Wipe with a soft microfiber cloth in order to dry the parts.
Extra tip: Use a toothbrush or a toothpick in order to reach small nooks and crevices. You can also use your vacuum’s crevice attachment in order to reach those places.
5. Remove dust and grime from the dashboard – Use a duster to remove loose dust and dirt from the dashboard. Then, use a damp microfiber cloth in order to remove any grime residue, stains, and other dirt.
6. Disinfect the steering wheel – Your steering wheel tends to gather a lot of grime and bacteria. In order to prevent those from building up, you should regularly clean it with a disinfectant wipe or microfiber cloth and disinfectant
7. Clean leather car seats – You can use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool in order to reach all hidden spots. Then, use a microfiber cloth and some leather cleaner or saddle soap in order to wipe them clean. Always use a leather conditioner after each cleaning.
8. Clean cloth car seats – Vacuum the seats thoroughly and use carpet or upholstery cleaner in order to remove dirt and stains. You can use some oxygenated bleach for stubborn stains. Repeat if needed.
9. Clean the door panels – Use a microfiber cloth in order to wipe the door panels down. Do not miss any stains and make sure you thoroughly remove any dirt and grime buildup that might be found on them.
10. Remove smells – If your car has not been cleaned for a while, you may want to refresh it and get rid of any bad odours. Instead of masking the bad smells with commercial deodorisers, sprinkle some baking soda all over your floors and seats. Let it sit overnight and vacuum after that. If there are stubborn smells that you cannot get rid of, it is time to bring your car to a professional.
More tips on how to keep your car in a good condition:
• Use a silicone baking cup in your cup holder in order to prevent dirt and grime from building up in there.
• Have a microfiber cloth and some cleaning product in your vehicle in order to be able to wipe down its interior. Regular maintenance will help prevent dirt accumulation.
• Do not let rubbish and dirt stay for long in your car. Remove it from your floors, seats and dashboards. Keep a small waste bin in your car.
• If you have pets and you give them rides in the car on a regular basis, invest in a backseat mat for them. That way you will prevent pet stains and hair from building up.