The interior of your car that you and your passengers probably see first is your dashboard. So, how to clean a car dashboard?
You need to prepare tools and materials. Then, vacuum clean the dashboard, wipe the dashboard with a microfiber towel soaked in cleaning solution, wipe the surrounding areas clean, spot clean stains using toothpaste and a toothbrush, clean the crevices with a detailing brush, and apply polish.
Keep reading.
What to Prepare
- Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment
- Microfiber towels
- Dashboard cleaner – you have three options:
Commercial cleaner
Vinegar, dish soap, baby oil
Mild soap and water
- Screen wipes – if you have an infotainment system
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Detailing brush
- Polish – you have four options:
Commercial polish
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Petroleum jelly
How to Clean A Car Dashboard?
Here are the details:
Vacuum Clean the Dashboard
Connect the brush attachment to your vacuum hose. The brush attachment will help make the removal of contaminants easier.
Thoroughly vacuum clean the dash and pay special attention to crevices, wherein dirt, dust, and debris often end up.
Before wiping a car’s dashboard clean, this step is used to get rid of abrasive contaminants. By doing this, they are shielded from being dragged by the cloth and scratched.
Wipe the Dashboard With a Microfiber Towel Soaked in Cleaning Solution
The next step is to wipe the surface with a cleaner for the dashboard. For cleaning the dashboard of a car, you can either use professional cleaning supplies or everyday items.
- The best household cleaners to use are vinegar, dish soap, and baby oil if you want to make your own cleaning supplies.
You’ll need a spray bottle to make it, and you’ll need to mix one tablespoon of white vinegar, one cup of warm water, one teaspoon of dish soap, and one to two teaspoons of baby oil.
- However, you can use mild soap and warm water if all you need is a straightforward DIY cleaning solution.
- If you’d prefer to use a commercial cleaner, simply follow the directions on the product’s label. To check whether a cleaning agent can effectively clean the dash without endangering it, it is advisable to spot test it on a hidden area first.
After the cleaning solution is determined safe, dampen a microfiber towel with it and wipe the towel onto the dashboard to clean the surface, one small section at a time.
Take a second towel that has been dampened with water and wipe the surface clean after wiping one area with the solution. The solution won’t dry on the dashboard as a result.
When finished, use a microfiber towel to dry the area. Repeat if necessary.
Wipe the Surrounding Areas Clean
- You can clean the inside of your car with the same solution you use for your dashboard. The gear shift, hand brake, steering wheel, center console, and other plastic interior components can also be cleaned with it. In the same manner as in step two, clean them.
- The cupholders can be cleaned if you want. They should be soaked in the solution for a few minutes and then wiped clean because they frequently have grime on them.
- Screen wipes can be used to clean an infotainment system if you have one.
Spot Clean Stains Using Toothpaste and a Toothbrush
On difficult stains, toothpaste works well. But remember to conduct a spot test with the toothpaste first, just as you would with any cleaner.
If the toothpaste didn’t cause any adverse reaction, proceed to apply a bit of it on the stains. A soft-bristled toothbrush should then be used to gently scrub the stains.
However, a damp microfiber towel is preferable to a toothbrush if you’re going to spot clean the vinyl dashboard of a car.
Clean the Crevices With a Detailing Brush
Small parts and crevices could not be cleaned completely by the towel. Therefore, for those areas, you should use a detailing brush, a toothbrush with soft bristles, or cotton swabs.
A few examples of these places are air vents, dashboard buttons, knobs, and any other small spaces. Brush them gently to not cause any damage or scratches.
Apply Polish
In addition to using a commercial polish, you can also use petroleum jelly, olive oil, and other common household items to polish.
The polish needs to be spot tested first, just like any other interior car care product. Apply the polish by putting a small amount on a microfiber towel and rubbing it all over the dashboard if it seems to be safe to use.
The center console is another place where the solution can be used. After polishing is complete, wipe any remaining product off the surfaces with a different towel.
This guide will go over how to wash a car at home and some frequently asked questions about best practices for washing cars in order to assist you in keeping your car clean.
Tips for Cleaning a Car Dashboard
At home, you can use a shop vac or a handheld vacuum. Make sure to reach into all the dashboard’s crevices and corners to remove any dirt or dust that may have become lodged there. Before using a cloth or cleaner to clean the surface, it is crucial to ensure that it is free of any debris. If you try to wipe without picking up the big pieces first, you could scratch the hard surface.
Once you’re sure the dash is free of debris, grab a microfiber cloth, a rag, or some paper towels and wipe it down with a cleaning solution or soap and water. Various people have different ideas about the best way to clean the dash, but whatever you use, give it a thorough wipe down. Make sure you are aware of the material of your dashboard and always perform a spot test before wiping the entire dashboard with a new product because different surfaces call for different cleaning agents.
While cleaning, be sure to pay attention to the small, challenging areas like air vents. Get into these areas and give them a light scrub using a small paintbrush or a brand-new toothbrush. A toothbrush with soft bristles is also good for scrubbing around any knobs or buttons you might have. If buttons aren’t cleaned frequently, dust, oil, and dirt can collect around and under them, rendering them inoperable.
FAQs
What’s the Best Cleaner for a Car Dashboard?
Typically, the best cleaner for a car dashboard is a simple oil soap and water solution. Use Castile soap, an amazing oil soap with many applications. This particular kind of soap is robust enough to offer a thorough cleaning but delicate enough for delicate materials like leather. To remove really tough stains from a plastic, vinyl, or rubber dashboard, you can also mix up a solution with vinegar, detergent, water, and oil-based soap.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Microfiber Cloth?
More effectively than any other cleaning cloth, microfiber cloths can trap dirt and dust. You can use them dry or wet. Because they won’t damage your upholstery or hard surfaces, these are excellent for cleaning the inside of a car. When not in use, microfiber cloths can be washed to reduce the waste produced by paper towels and disposable wipes. Some microfiber cloths can also kill bacteria.
Why Should You Clean Your Interior Dashboard?
Even though you usually travel alone in your car, it’s a good idea to keep the interior spotless, especially if you ever intend to sell or trade it in. Clean interiors that are free of stains, scratches, and lingering odors have higher trade-in values and personal sale values. Regular dashboard cleaning will help prevent future difficult-to-clean stains and permanent damage. The more frequently you clean, the easier it is to clean.
Is Olive Oil Good for Car Dashboard?
Apply mineral oil or olive oil in a thin layer to a soft cloth and wipe the dashboard clean. It improves the shine of the dash while removing everyday surface dirt. Additionally, the natural oils offer defense against cracks and everyday wear and tear.
Is Vaseline Good for Car Dashboards?
Vaseline’s effectiveness has been compared to Armour All for its ability to diminish small marks and scratches and improve the overall condition of a car’s dashboard. The secret is to thoroughly clean the dashboard before wiping it down with a microfiber cloth moistened with a small amount of Vaseline.
Conclusion: How to Clean A Car Dashboard?
It’s not always necessary to have your car professionally detailed to make it spotless inside and out. There is no justification for you not to follow the instructions on how to clean a car dashboard since you can do so easily at home.
Simply vacuum, wipe, possibly spot clean, brush, and polish are all that are required.
Feel free to post a comment if you have any queries. I appreciate you reading.
