Even though cleaning the interior of your car won’t restore the intoxicating new car smell, it will undoubtedly enhance both the aesthetics and the air quality. So, how to clean your car interior?
You are supposed to take out and clean floor mats, vacuum the interior, clear dust, and disinfect the dashboard, clean cupholders, door panels, and steering wheel…
Keep reading.
How to Clean Your Car Interior?
It’s time to start working once you’ve gathered your materials. Follow these steps to clean every curve, crack, and crevice of your car:
Take Out and Clean Floor Mats
After removing all the trash from your car, take out your floor mats. It’s a good idea to wash your floor mats with water and cleaner early in the cleaning process so they have time to dry while you detail the rest of your car’s interior. Shake your floor mats outside after removing them to get rid of any large crumbs and other particles. Run the vacuum to collect dirt embedded in your mats.
If you have carpeted mats, apply a carpet or upholstery cleaner by following the instructions for the product. To soak and scrub your mats before rinsing and hanging them to dry, fill a bucket with water and a few drops of the product. Another option is to check whether your floor mats are safe for machine washing. Instead of placing the mats on the ground if you don’t have a suitable place to hang them, spread out a tarp or drop cloth.
Using a hose, you can remove extra dirt and soil from non-carpeted mats made of rubber, silicone, or vinyl. Use a cleaner for rubber floor mats to wash more thoroughly. Another option is to wash the mats with a scrub brush and warm water and dishwashing soap. Rinse them well to remove any remaining soap, then allow them to air dry.
Vacuum Interior
Run your vacuum through the interior of your car after removing the floor mats. Make use of the attachments to reach those awkward crevices, such as your cupholders and the gap between your dashboard and windshield. Don’t forget to vacuum your seats to remove any remaining crumbs and dirt that may have crept under the seat cushions.
Clear Dust and Disinfect Dashboard
While the vacuum is great for picking up some of the dirt and dust in your car, it may be too large to navigate the smaller areas of your dash. Use a duster or microfiber cloth to clear your dash and vents of smaller particles. Dusters and microfiber cloths are soft enough not to damage your vents and are made to collect dust rather than disperse it throughout your car.
Use disinfecting wipes to remove any remaining dust from your dashboard and to kill any bacteria and germs that may be there. Avoid using any bleach-based products and always read product labels carefully before using chemicals in your car. Make it a routine to clean your dash’s high-contact surfaces on a regular basis because crumbs, spills, and normal use can encourage the growth of bacteria there.
Clean Cupholders, Door Panels, and Steering Wheel
Dust off and clean your cupholders, door panels, and steering wheel to keep them in good condition. Take out any removable cupholders and give them a warm water and dish soap wash if you have any. Give them a thorough scrub with a sponge or soft-bristled brush to get rid of any leftover material. You can use disinfecting wipes to clean your door panels and steering wheel, which are both high-touch places in your vehicle. Nobody desires for their car to serve as a petri dish.
Wipe Interior Windows
To clean the inside of your windows and windshields, use an alcohol-based glass cleaner. Never use anything designed for cleaning glass. Try to use two microfiber cloths when cleaning your car’s windows with glass cleaner. Spray the product on one cloth and use it to apply the cleaner to the glass. This prevents cleaner particles from settling on other interior surfaces where they might lead to buildup and damage. Cleanse the glass with the second cloth. In addition to protecting your glass from scratches, this technique helps you reduce streaking.
Carefully Clean Seats
Before you clean your seats, remove any crumbs or other debris by first using the hose attachment on your vacuum. then clean them with the appropriate products for the fabric of your seats. Use a leather cleaner made specifically for automobiles to clean leather seats. Follow the instructions on the product and consider doing a follow-up treatment with a leather conditioner to keep things supple, soft, and shiny. Who doesn’t like that clean leather smell?
When using cloth seats, search for any stains you need to get rid of. Choose a stain removal product and follow the package instructions to apply, set, and rinse the product. Spray some upholstery cleaner all over the seat. To clean the seat thoroughly, use a scrub brush to work the cleaner into the surface. Use a microfiber cloth dampened with water to wipe down the product after use, but avoid soaking the seat because mold can grow more easily on wet surfaces (once more, no science experiments here, please). If necessary, use a dry towel to blot away any excess water before allowing the seats to air dry.
Last, Deodorize
Finally, use baking soda, activated charcoal, and air fresheners to get rid of that unpleasant odor. For instance, you could put a few drops of your preferred essential oil along with baking soda or activated charcoal in a plastic container with a lid. Slice a few vents into the lid and tuck it securely under one of your seats, or use a gel air freshener. To keep your vehicle smelling fresh, replace its contents every two months (or more frequently if the situation calls for it).
How Often to Clean Your Car Interior?
Depending on the road conditions, how the car is used, the number of passengers, and how frequently you drive, you should decide how frequently to wash your car.
When it comes to maintaining a car, safety is always the top priority. Whenever grime limits your ability to see approaching vehicles, clean interior windows at least once a month. When it obstructs the driver’s floorboard or dashboard’s ability to operate the car, clear the area of trash and debris. A thorough cleaning of the car’s interior twice a year should suffice.
Maintaining the interior of your car in top condition will help it last longer and retain its value when you decide to sell or trade it in.
Additional Tips to Keep Your Car Interior Clean
- When you’re stuck in traffic or otherwise spending time in your car, think about keeping automotive gel or putty there so you can use it frequently to clean out vents and other difficult-to-reach places.
- In order to keep your cup holders cleaner for longer, place a silicone baking cup in them.
- In order to have more space to store small cleaning tools for between cleanings and to prevent items from falling out of your glove compartment, organize your glove compartment with a mini expanding file.
- As well as a rubber glove or lint roller to remove any fur that may have settled on the seats or carpet, don’t forget to bring along backseat pet covers.
- Keep a small, tightly closed container in the door pocket of your car to collect any trash that spills out onto the floor or cup holders. It works well to use a small dispenser for cereal or pet treats.
- Invest in a pair of kick mats if you frequently transport children in the back seat to prevent muddy footprints from being left on the seat backs.
Car Interior Cleaning Safety
You can actually hurt yourself while cleaning the inside of your car, despite what you may have heard.
- Wear gloves and eye protection when working with chemicals, such as conditioning sprays and cleaning wipes, even though it may seem unnecessary. A healthy airflow is also essential.
- Take care when reaching under seats and other obstructed areas. There are many sharp objects that can cut or scratch your hands.
- Avoid attempting to clean your car while it is parked in a busy lot or on a street with traffic unless you have no other choice. It’s best to move your car to a spot where you can safely and freely enter and exit it as you work, out of the way.
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.
FAQs
What is the Best Household Cleaner to Use for Cleaning a Car’s Interior?
Windows can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol. Baking soda is ideal for absorbing oily stains and eliminating odors, and distilled white vinegar mixed equally with water also works well.
What Are the Best Tools for Cleaning a Car Dashboard?
Use an electrostatic duster, a vacuum with a brush or crevice attachment, a toothbrush to get into the small crevices, and a soft microfiber cloth to quickly clean the dashboard of your car.
How Do You Get a Car Dashboard Shiny?
Utilize a commercial dash cleaner and protectant after the dust has been removed to add shine to the surface. While some owners use a few drops of vegetable oil on a cloth to add shine, it will not prevent fading or cracking.
Can I Use a Bathroom Or Kitchen Cleaner Inside My Car?
The majority of the time, no, because automotive cleaners are made to get rid of dirt without harming the materials in your cabin. Bleach and other chemicals in household cleaners can cause damage to both upholstered and plastic surfaces.
I Spilled Something on My Carpet, and It Stinks. What Can I Do?
You have a few options if milk or another unpleasant substance has been spilled inside your car. White vinegar and carpet sprays both partially work to eliminate odors, but if the odor is particularly bad, you might need to hire a cleaning service. To remove strong odors from your car, they have ozone tools and other techniques.
Summary: How to Clean Your Car Interior?
You are supposed to take out and clean floor mats, vacuum the interior, clear dust, and disinfect the dashboard, clean cupholders, door panels, and steering wheel…
Feel free to post a comment if you have any queries. I appreciate your reading.
