Cleaning the inside of your car is important to properly maintain your car and not to lower its value. If you have too much dirt and dust on the floor or on the dashboard, you can suffer from it while driving. If your windows are too dirty, you may not see oncoming traffic. Cleaning is also important for the appearance and value of your car. With a few simple supplies you can properly clean the inside of your car.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Cleaning up the car
Step 1. Remove all your belongings from the car
Get all your valuables out of the car, as well as things that could be in the way, such as your bag for work, your gym bag, children's toys, books and magazines. This can be a good time to clear out things you've forgotten that are still in your car.
Step 2. Remove all recyclable items from the car
Place water bottles, pieces of paper and cardboard items in the appropriate bins for recycling.
If you're cleaning your car in the driveway, you could place the recycling bin next to your car to make it easier to throw away. Remove the items from your car and immediately throw them in the bin for recycling
Step 3. Remove all rubbish from your car
Put all waste in a garbage bag. It may be a good idea to put on gloves for this step, especially if you have dirty and smelly trash in your car. Keep the garbage bag handy after you've cleaned up the car, because you may need it again later.
Part 2 of 5: Cleaning the center console
Step 1. Take off the center console
Dampen a cloth with a little all-purpose cleaner or glass cleaner. Wipe it over the cleanest spots first, then the dirtiest spots to wipe off all the dirt at the end. Clean the dashboard, steering wheel and center console. Also remove the gear lever and the pockets on the inside of the doors.
- Instead of a cloth, you can also use cleaning cloths especially for cars.
- Don't forget to use a clean cloth, otherwise you'll just smear the dirt and dust in other areas.
- If you have enough time, you can use a cotton swab to remove the dirt in hard-to-reach areas, such as all the cracks and edges on the handlebars.
- You can use a cloth or a car cleaning cloth to get the dust out of your cup holders.
Step 2. Clean the buttons on the dashboard
Use a damp cloth to clean the buttons on the dashboard. Then dry the buttons with a clean cloth.
You can also use a flat screwdriver. Wrap a cloth around the head of the screwdriver. Then run the cloth along the knobs to remove any dirt and dust that may have accumulated there
Step 3. Thoroughly clean all corners and crevices with an old toothbrush
Use an old, soft-bristled toothbrush to clean difficult areas such as the leather on the inside of the car doors and on the center console. Rough-textured surfaces on your doors and steering wheel can be cleaned with an old toothbrush. Brush in circular motions to remove the dirt.
Part 3 of 5: Cleaning the windows on the inside
Step 1. Dampen a microfiber cloth with glass cleaner
Spray a little glass cleaner on a microfiber cloth. Microfibre cloths are great for cleaning windows as they help remove stubborn stains and prevent streaks.
- It is best not to use ammonia. Using glass cleaner with ammonia can dry out the plastic in your car and damage your windows.
- Make sure the cleaner is suitable for tinted windows.
Step 2. Scrub the windows
Use the microfibre cloth to clean the windshield, side windows, rear window and sunroof. Clean the windows on the inside by making circular movements.
Step 3. Clean the windows with firm circular motions
Turn the microfiber cloth over to the clean side and buff the windows to remove all streaks. Focus especially on the corners and edges of the windows. If necessary, apply more glass cleaner and polish the windows a second time.
Part 4 of 5: Cleaning the seats and upholstery
Step 1. Clean the floor mats
Before you start vacuuming, remove the floor mats from the car so that you can also vacuum up the dirt underneath. If you have plastic floor mats in the car, you can remove them from your car and shake the dirt out. Then rinse them with a garden hose and let them dry. If your car has fabric floor mats, you can vacuum them in the car itself or take them out of the car to vacuum them. Put the mats back in the car when you have finished vacuuming the inside.
Step 2. Vacuum your car from top to bottom
Start by vacuuming the ceiling of your car, then gradually work your way down to the floor. Use the right attachments for the different surfaces in your car.
- Use the upholstery attachment to vacuum the seats, the upholstery on the ceiling and all other areas with upholstery.
- To clean the crevices in the seats and the seat compartments, use the narrow crevice tool.
- You can clean hard plastic and vinyl with the dusting brush.
- You can use the floor brush to clean the upholstery on the floor of your car.
Step 3. Slide the seats to clean hard-to-reach areas
To be able to vacuum under the front seats, you will have to slide the seats all the way forward or back. Then use the narrow crevice tool to vacuum up all the dirt and dust under the front seats.
Step 4. Clean leather seats
Leather seats should not only be cleaned, but also treated with a care product, otherwise they will crack and dry out. To clean leather car seats, use a soft brush and a suitable cleaner, such as saddle soap. Then treat the chairs with a leather care product.
- Try a new cleaning agent on a small, inconspicuous area first. If the new product works well, use it to clean your seats.
- It may be necessary to have the seats replaced if the leather is badly cracked and the color is very faded.
Step 5. Clean fabric car seats
Check your car manual to see which cleaners you can use to clean the upholstery. Vacuum your seats first. Then use foam or another cleaning agent to clean the seats. Then vacuum the seats a second time.
- You can also use carpet cleaner to clean your fabric seats. Then clean your seats when you also clean your carpet.
- Do not use glass cleaner to clean fabric seats.
Step 6. Remove stubborn stains with a stain remover
Candy, chocolate, crayons and other substances can leave unsightly stains on your car seats. Use a stain remover and a clean cloth to remove the stains.
If candy or a crayon is melting in the back seat, you can stop it by using an ice cube and then remove the object
Part 5 of 5: Finishing the cleaning
Step 1. Air out the car seats
If you've used a lot of cleaning products to clean your seats, it's a good idea to air out the car. You can open all the car doors and windows on a sunny day to let the inside of your car air out.
Step 2. Hang a new air freshener
If you like to use an air freshener in your car, you can now spray it in your car or hang a new air freshener.
- If you smoke, there are special air fresheners for sale that remove the smell of smoke.
- To remove odors from an old car, you can use an extra strong air freshener with water-based fragrances.
- Look for air fresheners that have a long lasting scent. This is especially a good idea if you don't clean your car that often.
Step 3. Set and put everything back in place
Place the mats back on the floor. Slide the seats back into their normal position. If you have taken things out of the car to be able to vacuum, you can now put them back or put them back neatly.
Tips
- Plastic floor mats are very suitable if mud, water or snow often ends up in your car. Just take them out of your car every now and then and shake them out or rinse them with a garden hose.
- When you're done, spray the car with an air freshener to make your car smell nice.
- The more often you clean your car, the easier it will be and the less time it will take you.
- If you don't have a garage and there is a lot of snow in the winter, it is best to clean your car thoroughly in late autumn and spring.
- You can use your vacuum cleaner in the car by using an extension cord. Be careful when plugging and unplugging the vacuum cleaner.