The average age of a car on our roads is just over 12 years. That’s a long time for crumbs, dirt, stains, and odors to accumulate. If the inside of your car is looking a little dirty, it’s time to deep clean it.
Cleaning the interior of a car isn’t as daunting as it might sound. If you want a clean and fresh car that you can enjoy each time you slip behind the wheel, start with these five tips.
1. Clean the Trash
The first step is to clean all the trash out of your car. Take a plastic bag and remove all the straw wrappers, water bottles, and any other trash left in your vehicle.
Check your glovebox when cleaning a car for the first time in a while. You might find expired papers you can dispose of or other items you don’t need.
2. Remove the Floor Mats
Your car floor mats collect a lot of dirt and mud over the months. Remove them and shake them out and then give them a good vacuuming. This is one of the easiest and most essential car cleaning tips we can give you since this is one of the dirtiest parts in the vehicle.
For washable mats, you can use a garden hose and spray them down to remove caked-on dirt. For carpet mats, use an upholstery cleaner to scrub them clean.
3. Dust and Clean the Interior
Give your car a good dusting, wiping down all the interior surfaces, and paying close attention to your dashboard and center console.
You can use a gentle cleanser or car wipes on the interior. The benefit of using car wipes is that many types will also help to prevent cracking and fading.
Wipe down your windows using an ammonia-free cleaner. You can mix one part of distilled white vinegar with one part of water to make your own window cleaning solution. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the windows to avoid leaving any paper dust.
4. Vacuum Car Seats
Vacuum the car seats, ensuring your reach each crevice. For cloth car seats, you can use an upholstery cleaner. Use a scrub brush to work the cleaner deep into the fabric, and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
If you have bad stains, you may need a stain remover. Don’t forget to clean the seatbelts!
For leather car seats, you should use a leather cleaner designed for car interiors. Using a leather conditioner can help restore shine to your seats.
After cleaning, let the seats air dry.
5. Freshen It Up
Have you ever wondered how to make your car smell good again? You might not be able to replicate that “new car smell,” but you can make it smell better.
If you’re curious about how to get rid of odors, cleaning is the first step. After performing a deep clean, place some air purifying charcoal bags in the car to soak up the bad car smells. Finally, you can add your favorite scents with essential oils and diffusers. Click here to find one you can attach to your car vents!
Cleaning the Interior of a Car Made Easy
If you need to deep clean the interior of a car, make sure to use these tips to make the process easy. Keep on top of cleaning and regular maintenance, and your car will last you for years.
To discover more auto care tips, interesting news, and much more, check out our other posts! We’ve got the advice you need to make life simple.