How to Properly Clean The Inside Of Your Car

Remember when your mom told you that if you cleaned your room more often, it wouldn’t seem like such a chore? The same is true for your car. When upkeep becomes a routine, your vehicle will look and feel (and smell!) new longer. Not to mention it will be easier to sell if it’s well maintained and clean.

If your car isn’t in the prettiest shape, it can be hard to know where to start with the mess. But don’t get overwhelmed just yet; our step by step guide will help you get started and stay on track.

Remove All Garbage

Before doing anything else, you’re going to need to clear out all of the garbage. It will be hard to properly clean other parts of the car if you have trash in the way. Grab a trash can and clear the floors and seats. And don’t forget to check compartments, cupholders and pockets. There could be some trash hidden around, especially if you have kids.

Organize What is Left

Certain items will need to remain in your car, like emergency items, maintenance tools and car-related documents. This is a good chance to figure out how to organize these things so that they’re accessible, but out of the way.

Cleaning Surfaces

Hard surfaces like your dashboard and center console can be cleaned with a few different solutions. If you’re looking to disinfect, a solution with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol is the way to go. If you want something less harsh, distilled white vinegar or dish soap are also good options.

Flat surfaces can be wiped down using a microfiber cloth. If there are any crevices you’re having a hard time reaching or vents that are too small for a cloth, try using a toothbrush for detail work. Toothbrushes are also great for cleaning around buttons or knobs on the center console. If your cupholders are greasy or sticky, take them out and let them soak in warm water and dish soap. This will loosen debris and make them easier to clean.

Your mirrors and windows should be cleaned with an ammonia-free glass cleaner and microfiber cloth. Ammonia can damage the plastic on the hard surfaces of your vehicle. You should also be careful to avoid getting window cleaner on your seats. Always remember to spray the mirror and NOT the cleaning cloth.

Vacuuming Your Car

Now that your surfaces are clean, you can get to vacuuming up the crumbs and dirt that are lingering on your seats and floor. If you don’t have your own vacuum at home, many carwash locations have self-serve vacuums you can use. Don’t forget to vacuum under the floor mats and seats.

 Remove and Clean Floor Mats

Different floor mats require different cleaning processes. Regardless, you should first shake out your mats to remove excess debris and place them on a fairly clean surface, like a tarp. 

If your mats are carpeted, they can be cleaned with upholstery cleaner. Your mats may also offer instructions on how to best care for them.

Rubber or vinyl mats can be scrubbed with warm, soapy water and a soft brush and then rinsed off with a hose. These can usually be left to air dry before placing them back in your vehicle.

Cleaning Your Seats

Much like floor mats, different seat materials will require different cleaning processes. Upholstery will need to be treated differently than leather. And a simple cleaning may not always be enough. Spot treatments or professional washing equipment might be needed to get your seats clean.

Cleaning Leather Car Seats

First, do an extra vacuum job on the crevices of the seat. Debris may become trapped between the back and the seat or in the stitching. The seat should be wiped down with either commercial leather cleaner or a combination of saddle soap and water. After your seats are clean and dry, it’s a good idea to use a leather conditioner to keep the material in nice condition.

Cleaning Fabric Car Seats

Depending on how dirty your car is, your fabric seats might need a quick extra vacuum too. If your car seats are stained, begin by spot treating the worst areas. After the spot solution has had a chance to do its work, spray down your seats with upholstery cleaner and carefully follow the instructions on the bottle to ensure proper use. You can work in the upholstery cleaner with a brush and then use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the excess solution and dirt.