How To Clean The Interior Of Your Car

Cleaning the interior of a car is just as important as cleaning the exterior. A clean interior not only feels better, but it is also good for your health. This is because most people spend a lot of time in their cars. A dirty cabin looks unpleasant and smells bad. Dirty air vents spread dust around the cabin. If left unclean for long, they can cause respiratory problems.

You should also always be sure to have clean windows too as dirty windows can obscure the driver’s view of the road. Detailing your car interior in our opinion is mandatory preventive maintenance. This is because keeping the interior of your car in top condition helps retain its resale value.

Having the right interior car detailing kit is important for the best results. The interior car detailing kit usually contains the basics for cleaning your car. It is important to purchase a kit that contains everything you need to wash and protect your car. A good interior detailing kit should contain the following;

Polisher

You can either get a circular or a dual action polisher. A circular polisher is better than the dual action in taking swirls.

Polish

Polish is essential for maintaining the interior of your car and protecting the dashboard from cracks. It is also helpful in restoring paint, some plastic, and wheels.

Glass cleaner

A good glass cleaner is necessary, this ensures your windows and screens are left without streaks or marks.

Microfiber Towel

You need quality towels for drying your can after cleaning. Microfiber towels are best to use on vehicles so you do not scratch the paint. They are also very useful when waxing your car or cleaning your windows.

Cleaning solution spray or wipes

Having the right cleaning solution for your interior car material is a necessity when cleaning. Some cleaning agents don’t work well with some materials and can cause fading or wear in the material.

How to clean the interior of your car

Cleaning the fabric seats and the upholstery.

It is important to clean the fabric of your seats as they are used every time you are in the car. Different fabric materials require different treatment. You should consult the vehicle manual to see if there is any advice on cleaning and maintenance of your cars seat material.

The first step, use either your household vacuum cleaner or soft brush attachment to vacuum out dirt and debris. This will prevent spreading dirt on the seats as you clean. Add your ordinary detergent to warm water in the case you don’t have upholstery cleaner. Soak the fabric in the warm water and squeeze out the excess water. Remember not to let the seat get too wet. Scrub each seat at a time and work hard on dirty areas. Once done, wipe out well with a clean, dry and soft fabric. Spray the upholstery cleaner on a cloth and rub the seat belts. After cleaning, leave the belts pulled out until they dry.

Cleaning car leather

Leather seats are very expensive so it is very important to take good care of them. They are delicate, use detergent specifically designed for cleaning leather. Use a soft, clean towel to avoid leaving scratches on the leather. First, vacuum the seats and ensure to remove the debris and dirt from the crevices. Spray the cleaner on a soft and clean towel. Wipe the seats gently ensuring you reach the crevices and seat edges.

However, you can make your own cleaner. You can either mix warm water with your dishwashing liquid soap or with Castile soap. Be sure that after cleaning your seats, to condition them as well. This keeps the leather supple and moisturized, preventing it from cracking in the future.

Cleaning the interior dashboard and plastic

Use a soft brush attachment to vacuum the dashboard and center console. Be careful not damage vents and other sticking parts. Clean the dashboard, the interior plastic and center console with a moist, soft cloth. Once finished, dry with a clean, dry, and soft cloth.

Spray the polish on the cleaned area, be careful not to spray on electrical parts. Spread it with a small brush. Gently buff it with a clean, dry cloth.

A good polish makes your dashboard and the interior of the car look clean, shiny and protects the plastic from cracks.

Cleaning cup holders

Cup holders are the dirtiest spot in the car. Some cars have cup holder liners that are removable. This makes it easy to clean.

In the case of coffee stains or residue, pour in a little warm soapy water and soak for about 10 minutes. Remove the water and clean it with a washcloth. Dry the cup holder completely with a dry soft towel. In the case of a non-removable cup holder, pour in soapy water and use a small brush to clean. Put a cloth inside to absorb the water. Dry the inside of the cup holders with a towel.

Cleaning the air conditioning system

Vents are not easily accessed therefore; it is easy to forget about them when cleaning.

Cleaning dust and debris out of the air conditioner helps it function properly. At times you may notice a foul smell coming out of the air conditioner vent.

Use a cotton swab soaked in a car cleaner to clean the fronts of the vents. Make sure you reach all corners and crevices.

Don’t forget to clean the lower air vent that usually warms your legs. Steam cleaners are the best option to use for your car AC vents. Direct the steam nozzle at the vents, they will dispense steam into the vents and dislodge debris and pollutants that are in the passageways.

To fully eradicate the bad smell, you may need to change the cabin air filter.

Cleaning the windows and screens

The windows and a screen should not only be cleaned from outside. Always clean the windows and screen under the shade to prevent the glass cleaner from evaporating.

Spray your cleaning agent on the inside of the screen or window. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe in an up and down motion or side to side motion. Dry the windows and screen with a clean microfiber to leave your windows without streaks.

Cleaning car carpets

Taking care of car carpets and mats can improve the appearance of the interior of your car. Take out the car mats and shake off the dust and debris. Vacuum the carpet, ensure to reach under the pedals, around the seats, and in any other crevices. For best results, use a spot cleaner to remove most difficult stains.

If you want to detail the interior of your car, consider the above tips for the best results.