Keeping your car interior clean and organized has numerous benefits: it boosts the vehicle’s resale value, enhances air quality inside the car, prevents your clothes from collecting lint and crumbs, and reduces the presence of germs and bacteria on surfaces. If your dashboard is dusty, there are coffee stains in the cup holder, or the floor is buried under trash, it’s time for a thorough cleaning. Here’s how to clean your car interior using everyday household products.
How Often to Clean Your Car’s Interior
The frequency of cleaning your car’s interior depends on how it is used and maintained. Here are some guidelines to help you keep your car in top shape:
- Spill Cleanup: Clean spills from carpets and upholstery as soon as they happen to prevent stains and odors.
- Daily Trash Removal: After each trip, remove any trash, particularly from the driver’s floorboard and dashboard, to avoid safety hazards.
- Daily Disinfecting: Use disinfecting wipes to clean the steering wheel, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces to eliminate bacteria.
- Monthly Window Cleaning: Clean the windows at least once a month to ensure clear visibility.
- Biannual Deep Cleaning: Clean the carpets and upholstery twice a year to maintain their condition and appearance.
What You’ll Need for Cleaning Your Car
Equipment and Tools
1. Vacuum Cleaner: Ensure it has a hose and crevice tool attachments, or use a shop-vac.
2. Soft-bristled Scrub Brush: Gentle on surfaces while effectively removing dirt.
3. Bucket: Useful for mixing cleaning solutions.
4. Electrostatic Duster: Attracts and holds dust for easy removal.
5. Spray Bottle (Optional): Handy for applying cleaning solutions.
6. Microfiber Cloths: Great for wiping down surfaces without scratching.
7. Cotton Swabs: Perfect for cleaning small, hard-to-reach areas.
8. Old Toothbrush: Effective for scrubbing tight spots.
9. Trash Bag: To collect any waste or debris.
Materials
For the Steering Wheel and Dashboard
– Dashboard Conditioner/Protectant: Keeps surfaces looking new and prevents cracking.
– Disinfecting Wipes: Clean and sanitize the dashboard and steering wheel.
– Water: Used for diluting cleaners or rinsing surfaces.
For the Center Console
– Dishwashing Liquid: A gentle cleaner for various surfaces.
– Baking Soda: Useful for scrubbing and deodorizing.
For the Windows
– Ammonia-free Window Cleaner or Distilled White Vinegar: Both are effective at cleaning glass without streaks.
For Leather Seats
– Leather Cleaner or Saddle Soap: Cleans and preserves leather.
– Leather Conditioner: Maintains the softness and longevity of leather.
For Cloth Seats
– Upholstery Cleaner: Specifically formulated for fabric seats.
– Dishwashing Liquid: A mild detergent for cleaning.
– Water: For diluting and rinsing.
– Baking Soda: Helps with deodorizing and stain removal.
– Distilled White Vinegar: Effective for cleaning and removing odors.
– Oxygen-based Bleach (Optional): For tough stains.
For the Carpet
– Carpet Cleaner (Optional): Specialized for deep cleaning.
– Dishwashing Liquid: For general cleaning.
– Water: Necessary for dilution and rinsing.
– Baking Soda: For deodorizing and scrubbing.
– Distilled White Vinegar: A versatile cleaner.
– Odor-Eliminating Fabric Refresher: Keeps carpets smelling fresh.
How to Clean Your Steering Wheel and Dashboard
Keeping your dashboard and steering wheel clean is essential for both hygiene and safety. A clean dashboard helps prevent the spread of bacteria and ensures that there are no obstructions or loose items that could distract you while driving. Here’s a step-by-step guide to effectively clean these areas:
1. Use a Disinfecting Wipe
The steering wheel and controls collect germs from everything your hands touch. To keep them sanitized, clean these surfaces daily with a disinfecting wipe.
Make sure to let the surface remain wet for at least 5 minutes before drying it with a lint-free microfiber towel. This ensures that the disinfectant has enough time to work effectively.
2. Remove Dust
Dust can accumulate quickly on your dashboard. Use an electrostatic disposable duster to easily remove this dust. For tighter areas like air vents, use cotton swabs to reach and clean trapped lint and dust.
3. Wipe Away Smudges
Fingerprints and smudges can make your dashboard look dirty. Dampen a microfiber cloth with water and gently wipe down the dashboard to remove these marks.
4. Condition and Protect
Once your dashboard is clean, it’s important to condition it to prevent cracking and fading. Apply a protectant designed for dashboards to keep the material in good condition and prolong its lifespan.
How to Clean the Center Console
The center console of your car can quickly accumulate dirt and clutter. It’s a magnet for dust and often ends up with sticky coffee rings in the cupholders.
This area can also become a catch-all for various items like old gum, keys, receipts, and candy wrappers.
Keeping this space clean and disinfected is important due to its frequent use. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you clean your center console effectively:
1. Remove the Cupholder
If your car’s cupholders are removable, take them out and place them in a small bucket or bowl filled with warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Let them soak while you clean the rest of the console.
After they have soaked for a while, use a dishcloth to wipe them clean, rinse thoroughly with water, and then dry them with a microfiber cloth before putting them back in place.
2. Wipe Down Surfaces
Dampen a microfiber cloth slightly, making sure it’s not dripping wet to avoid moisture getting into the console’s electronics.
Use the cloth to wipe down the gearstick and other controls. The microfiber material is effective at picking up dust and grime without scratching surfaces.
3. Clean Tight Spaces
For the tight corners and crevices, use an old toothbrush or a damp cotton swab. These tools are perfect for reaching into small spaces where dirt and debris accumulate.
After cleaning these areas, wipe them with a microfiber cloth or use the crevice tool of your vacuum to remove any remaining dirt.
How to Clean Car Windows
Keeping your car windows clean is crucial for safe driving. Over time, windows can accumulate dust, dirt, pollen, and even insect residue.
Cleaning your car windows not only improves visibility but also helps in reducing germs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your car windows are spotless:
1. Choose the Right Window Cleaner
Select a window cleaner that does not contain ammonia, as ammonia can damage the car’s interior finishes. Make sure to read the label to confirm that the product is safe for use on tinted windows.
You can also create your own cleaner by mixing equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Prepare the Windows
Slightly lower each window so you can clean the top edge thoroughly. This part often gets missed if the window is fully closed.
3. Cleaning Process
Start by lightly spraying the cleaner onto the glass. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth to wipe away the grime and smudges. Microfiber cloths are preferred because they don’t leave lint and are highly absorbent.
4. Avoiding Streaks
To achieve a streak-free finish, follow these tips:
Clean your windows in a shaded area to prevent the cleaner from drying too quickly, which can cause streaks.
Regularly switch to a clean section of the cloth as you clean.
Clean the outside of the windows using vertical strokes and the inside using horizontal strokes. This technique helps you easily identify and correct any streaks.
How to Clean Leather Car Seats
Leather car seats add a touch of luxury to your vehicle, but they need proper care to stay in good condition. Follow these steps to clean your leather car seats effectively and keep them looking their best.
Step 1: Vacuum the Seats
Begin by using the crevice tool of your vacuum cleaner to remove dust, crumbs, and debris from the seams and the junction where the back and bottom of the seats meet. This prevents dirt from spreading during the cleaning process.
Step 2: Choose the Right Cleaner
Select a suitable leather cleaner, such as a commercial leather cleaner or saddle soap. Dampen a cloth slightly with water, ensuring it is not too wet, as excess moisture can harm the leather.
Step 3: Clean from Top to Bottom
Following the instructions on your chosen leather cleaner, start cleaning from the top of the seat and work your way down. This technique prevents dirty water or cleaner from dripping onto areas you have already cleaned.
Step 4: Condition the Leather
Once the seats are clean and dry, apply a commercial leather conditioner to maintain the leather’s softness and prevent it from cracking. Use a soft cloth to buff the conditioner into the leather, ensuring an even application.
How to Clean Cloth Car Seats
Cleaning cloth car seats can be simpler than leather ones, especially if the covers are removable. But even if they’re not, there are still plenty of cleaning options available.
1. Vacuuming
Start by using the upholstery and crevice vacuum tools to remove loose dust and dirt from the fabric. Be thorough, especially between the back and bottom cushions.
2. Pretreating Stains
For tough stains, pretreat them with either a commercial upholstery cleaner following the label instructions or make your own cleaner.
To create your own, mix equal parts oxygen bleach powder and water in a bowl. Apply the paste to the stain with a soft-bristled brush, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it off.
3. Choosing or Making a Cleaner
You can either use a commercial upholstery cleaner as directed or make your own. For a DIY cleaner, combine ½ cup distilled white vinegar, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and 1 cup warm water in a spray bottle. Shake well to mix.
4. Applying the Cleaner
Starting from the top of the seat, lightly spray the cleaner onto the fabric and gently work it in with a soft-bristled brush. Clean all surfaces, including the sides and backs of the seats, and don’t forget about the seat belts. Avoid oversaturating the upholstery to prevent mold and mildew.
5. Rinsing the Seats
After cleaning, wipe down the seats with a microfiber cloth dampened with clean water to remove any remaining soil. Rinse and wring the cloth frequently, and change the water as needed.
6. Drying the Upholstery
Leave the car windows open as the seats dry to allow air circulation. You can also speed up the drying process by using a circulating fan nearby. This helps prevent mold growth.
How to Clean Your Car Carpet
The carpet in your car can easily accumulate dirt and grime from your shoes and other sources. Regular cleaning is important to keep your car fresh and free from debris and germs.
1. Remove and Clean the Floor Mats
If your car has floor mats, take them out to clean separately. For rubber mats, hose them down. For carpeted mats, follow the same cleaning steps as the car’s carpet.
2. Vacuum the Carpet
Vacuuming the carpet should be the final step to catch all the dust and debris that may have fallen from other parts of the car. Use a crevice tool and upholstery brush to thoroughly vacuum each area of the carpet.
3. Treat Stains
Use a commercial carpet stain remover according to the instructions to tackle oil, food, and dirt stains effectively.
4. Use a Carpet Cleaner
For an overall cleaning, use a commercial carpet cleaning powder or liquid. Alternatively, you can make a homemade solution using ½ cup distilled white vinegar, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and 1 cup warm water.
5. Air-Dry
Open the windows to allow the carpet to air-dry. You can speed up the drying process by using a circulating fan. Ensure the carpet is completely dry before replacing freshly cleaned car mats.
6. Odor Elimination
After cleaning and drying the carpet, spray it and fabric upholstery with an odor-eliminating fabric refresher for a fresh scent.
Tips to Maintain a Clean Car
Now that your car is clean, here are some tips to help keep it that way:
– Keep a small trash bag in the car and empty it at least once a week.
– Use silicone baking cups in cupholders to catch spills, and wash them in the dishwasher periodically.
– Keep an electrostatic duster, lint roller, and microfiber cloth in the glove compartment or console for quick clean-ups.
– Use washable seat covers when traveling with pets or children.
– Address spills and stains promptly.
– Encourage passengers to wipe off their shoes before entering the car.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I eliminate odors in my car?
If you’re dealing with unwanted smells in your car, there are a few methods you can try. One effective way is to sprinkle baking soda on the seats and carpet when your car is parked and not in use. Lightly spray water on the baking soda and rub it into the fabric. Let it sit for at least eight hours before vacuuming it up to remove odor-causing particles.
If you’re short on time, you can pour baking soda into a resealable plastic container with vents cut into the lid. Place it under one of the front seats to absorb odors. Remember to replace the baking soda monthly for continued effectiveness. Additionally, hanging a car air freshener can help maintain a pleasant scent in your car over time.
How should I clean my trunk?
A messy trunk can lead to unpleasant odors, especially if there’s leftover food or sweaty gym gear. To clean your trunk, start by emptying it out and getting rid of any trash. Then, use a car vacuum to clean the interior and hose off the trunk mat if you have one.
How do I clean the screen on my car’s dashboard?
Cleaning the screen on your dashboard, especially if it’s a touchscreen, requires some care. Use a non-abrasive cloth dampened with disinfectant to wipe down the screen. Make sure to wring out any excess liquid from the cloth to avoid damaging the screen. This will help keep your dashboard and screen clean and free from germs.
