Tips for Cleaning the Interior of Your Car

Project Summary

• Duration of Work: 2 to 3 hours
• Overall Duration: 3 to 15 hours

• Proficiency Level: Novice
• Projected Expense: $0 to $15

Detailing your vehicle can be expensive, but you can achieve similar results on your own using common tools and cleaning products you likely already own, such as rubbing alcohol, distilled white vinegar, dish soap, or baking soda to eliminate odors and absorb greasy stains. To achieve a professional-quality clean for your car’s interior, focus on washing the windows, decluttering and removing trash, and cleaning the carpets and seats. By following these steps, you can maintain your car’s interior in excellent condition, prolonging its lifespan and preserving its value for future resale or trade-in.

Having evaluated various handheld vacuums and dustbusters, we present our top recommendations.

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Requirements You’ll Need

Devices / Instruments

• Garbage container
• Vacuum cleaner equipped with a hose, crevice tool, or a shop vacuum.
• Microfiber towels
• Cotton bud
• Sponge
• Brush with stiff bristles
• Bucket
• Optional garden hose
• Duster
• Worn-out toothbrush
• Tarpaulin or protective sheet
• Blunt knife or slotted screwdriver (optional)
• Measuring stick or paint mixing stick
• Optional spray container

Materials

• Window cleaner without ammonia
• Gentle liquid dish detergent
• Sanitizing cloths
• Water
• Absorbent paper cloth
• Sodium bicarbonate or activated carbon
• Bleach that is oxygen-based (optional)
• Leather cleaning and conditioning products or saddle soap (optional).
• Optional upholstery cleaner
• Clear distilled vinegar (optional)
• Isopropyl alcohol (optional)
• Optional carpet cleaning service
• Toothpick or a set of tweezers (optional)

Instructions

Tips for Cleaning the Interior of Your Vehicle

Collect Waste and Rubbish

Take out car seats, toys, and any other belongings from both the car and the trunk. Collect and throw away all the litter from the floor, cup holders, door compartments, and seat pockets.

Take out and clean the floor mats.

Shake or vacuum each floor mat thoroughly and set them on a tarp or drop cloth instead of placing them on the dirty ground. For mats made of carpet, adhere to the provided guidelines and utilize a carpet or upholstery cleaner. For mats made of rubber, vinyl, or silicone, use a hose to remove the bulk of the dirt. Prepare a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dish soap in a bucket. Use a scrub brush to apply the solution and clean the mats. Rinse them thoroughly and allow them to air dry.

Wipe Down the Inside of the Windows and Mirrors

For cleaning the inside of your windows and mirrors, gather a microfiber cloth and a commercial window cleaner that is free of ammonia, or create a homemade solution by combining one tablespoon of liquid dish soap with one gallon of water (preferably distilled or filtered) and placing it in a spray bottle. Slightly lower the windows. Begin cleaning from the top and move downwards, making sure to catch any drips. If your windows are tinted, check the cleaning product’s guidelines to confirm it is safe to use.

Warning

A cleaner containing ammonia may harm interior plastic surfaces or touchscreen displays on dashboards by stripping away anti-glare or anti-fingerprint coatings.

Wipe down the center console.

If the cup holder can be taken out, let it soak in warm, soapy water for a while. Use a sponge to scrub it thoroughly. After that, wipe it with a soft cloth and rinse it thoroughly with clean water. Once it’s dry, put the console back together.

Wipe down the gear lever and other controls.

Utilize a fresh microfiber cloth that is only lightly moistened. For accessing narrow spaces, consider using a used toothbrush or a damp cotton swab, or you can wrap a moist paper towel around the end of a blunt knife or flat-head screwdriver.

Eliminate Dust and Dirt from the Dashboard

Utilize a duster to clear dust from the dashboard, and employ cotton swabs to reach the tight areas around the vents and controls. Once the dusting is complete, take a slightly damp microfiber cloth to wipe away any dirt and smudges.

Tip

Take a slightly moist microfiber cloth and wrap it around a ruler or a wooden paint stirrer to reach the tight gap between the dashboard and the windshield. Move it along the gap to gather any dust or debris.

Clean the Steering Wheel with Disinfectant

Over time, germs and bacteria can build up on the steering wheel and gear shift knobs. To clean these frequently touched areas, utilize a disinfecting wipe. Afterward, dry the surfaces with a clean microfiber cloth.

Maintain Pristine Leather Upholstery in Your Vehicle

For vehicles with leather seats, utilize the vacuum’s crevice attachment to gently eliminate dust and dirt from the stitching and the seams where the seat backs meet the bottom cushions. Clean each seat with a specialized leather cleaner designed for automotive use, or a mixture of saddle soap and water. Once the seats are cleaned, you might want to apply a leather conditioner to rejuvenate their softness and luster.

Treat Seat Stains in Advance

To clean fabric car seats, start by thoroughly vacuuming each seat. For areas with significant stains, apply an upholstery cleaner or adhere to the instructions for the specific stain type. For stains caused by dyes, such as Kool-Aid, create a paste using powdered oxygen bleach mixed with a small amount of water. Apply this paste to the stained spot and allow it to sit for a minimum of one hour before vacuuming up the remaining residue.

Freshen Up Your Vehicle’s Upholstery

Apply upholstery cleaner to the entire seat surface. Utilize a scrub brush to thoroughly work the cleaner into the fabric, then take a microfiber cloth moistened with plain water to remove the cleaner and dirt. Repeat this process as needed. Be cautious not to saturate the upholstery, as overly wet cushions can take a long time to dry and may promote mold growth. Use a clean towel to blot the upholstery until it is mostly dry, then let the seats air dry. Keep the windows open during the drying process, and if feasible, open the doors and direct a standing fan towards the damp upholstery.

Wipe down the seatbelts.

Use an upholstery cleaner to eliminate dirt and stains from the fabric seat belts. Additionally, clean the metal buckles and molded clips with a damp microfiber cloth.

Remove dirt and debris from the interior carpet using a vacuum cleaner.

Clean the car’s carpet or floor by vacuuming to remove all dirt and debris. For any stains present, apply a commercial carpet cleaner and adhere to the provided instructions. Don’t forget to vacuum the carpeting in the trunk as well.

Wipe Down the Door Panels

The door panels can consist of various materials such as carpet, vinyl, or leather. To maintain their appearance, utilize a damp microfiber cloth to gently wipe the surfaces and clear out the storage pockets. Don’t forget to also clean the rear door or hatch. To ensure that dirt and debris fall outside, keep the doors open while you clean.

Conquer Stubborn Smells

If your vehicle has an unpleasant odor, try dusting the carpets and fabric seats with dry baking soda and allowing it to sit overnight. The following day, vacuum it up. To manage any remaining smells, you can use baking soda or activated charcoal in a sealed plastic container. Simply make a few slits in the lid and place it under a seat. Remember to replace the contents every two months. For more stubborn smells, consider using a store-bought upholstery odor eliminator, such as Febreze or OdoBan.

Tip

Take your vehicle to a professional detailing service to address persistent, unpleasant smells such as mold. Organic stains that have penetrated the seat cushions can develop into a mold issue that cannot be resolved through surface cleaning or other do-it-yourself solutions.

Frequency of Cleaning Your Car’s Interior

The frequency of cleaning your vehicle is influenced by factors such as driving conditions, usage, the number of occupants, and your driving frequency. Generally, a comprehensive interior cleaning twice a year is adequate.

Ensuring safety is paramount when it comes to vehicle upkeep. It’s essential to clean the interior windows at least once a month or whenever dirt obstructs your view of approaching cars. Additionally, clear away any trash or clutter from the driver’s floor and dashboard if it obstructs the vehicle’s controls.

Extra Suggestions for Maintaining a Tidy Car Interior

• Think about having automotive gel in your vehicle for regular cleaning of vents and other difficult-to-access areas while you’re stuck in traffic or spending time in your car.
• Place a silicone baking cup in your cup holders to maintain their cleanliness for an extended period.
• Streamline your glove compartment by using a compact expanding file, allowing for extra space to store small cleaning supplies for quick touch-ups and preventing items from spilling out.
• Utilize pet covers for the backseat along with a rubber glove or lint roller to remove any fur that has accumulated on the seats or carpet.
• Store a compact, sealed container in the pocket of your car door to collect any small pieces of trash that accumulate on the floor or in the cup holders. A slim pet treat container or a cereal dispenser can serve this purpose effectively.
• If you often have children riding in the back seat, consider purchasing kick mats to protect the seat backs from muddy footprints.

What products can I utilize to give my car’s interior a glossy finish?

Once the dust has been cleared away, apply a professional dashboard cleaner and protectant to enhance the surface’s shine. Although some vehicle owners opt to use a few drops of vegetable oil on a cloth for a glossy finish, this method does not offer protection against fading or cracking.

What items should I avoid using when cleaning the inside of a car?

Avoid using strong cleaning agents such as bleach, ammonia, benzene, thinners, hydrogen peroxide, or any harsh, abrasive cleaners. These substances can harm upholstery and the surfaces inside your vehicle.

What are the top tools for cleaning the dashboard of a car?

To efficiently clean your car’s dashboard, utilize an electrostatic duster, a vacuum equipped with a brush or crevice tool, a toothbrush for those small gaps, and a gentle microfiber cloth.