Car Interior Cleaning
Just like the inside of your home, the interior of your car can get dirty. From pets to kids to eating on the run, your car can have stains, odors, and debris that builds up until you have the time to clean it. You could hire Timeless Car Cleaning to detail the inside of your car for you, but that service can be expensive. The truth is that car interior cleaning doesn’t have to be difficult if you have the right tools and know-how, especially if you follow these tips.
Gather Your Tools
One of the reasons professional detailers can make your car’s interior look like new is that they have the right equipment and the best car cleaning products. Before you begin, you should get everything you need organized and ready to go. You may want to have the following items gathered:
- A vacuum cleaner with an extension hose and brush attachments
- A hand-held or portable steam cleaner
- Soft cloths, towels, or rags (microfiber is especially helpful)
- Stiff brushes
- Cleaning products, such as glass cleaner, leather conditioner, and an all-purpose cleaner
- Baking soda or air freshening spray
You may also want to have a flat-head screwdriver on hand to help you clean those hard-to-reach crevices.
Start at the Bottom
Both the carpeting and the floor mats should be cleaned regularly. Remove your floor mats and shake them out vigorously to loosen any deep-down dirt. While your floor mats are out, you can look for any additional stains or dirt in the carpeting itself. A hand-held steam cleaner can make quick work of any spots, and a vacuum with an extension hose can reach under seats. And it goes without saying, but throw away any loose wrappers, papers, or other debris that may end up on the floor of your car.
In the Driving Seat
If you or your passengers eat or drink in the car, you know that your seats also need to be cleaned. Different materials should be cleaned in different ways; for example, an all-purpose spray is fine for vinyl seats, but for leather, you may want to use both a leather cleaner and a conditioner. Cloth seats may look their best with an upholstery cleaner, and a fabric freshener spray or baking soda can remove odors.
Through the Glass
Both mirrors and windows are easily cleaned with glass cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth. Be sure to wipe down all windows both inside and out to get them crystal clear. You may also want to lower the window just a bit to wipe any residue that can remain.
And the Rest
Finally, tackle the dash, center console, and door surfaces with a multi-purpose cleaner and cloth. Try to avoid spraying the cleaner directly on the surface; it’s better to spray it on your cloth and then wipe down the surfaces. You can also wrap a screwdriver with a cloth to get those hard-to-reach places. You can look for other specialized cleaning products where you get the best discounts on auto parts.
If you clean up any spills as soon as possible and dust regularly, you can save those deep-cleaning sessions once or twice a year. A clean car interior can make the traffic and commute much more pleasant, so don’t put it off one more day!
More on this topic: 6 Safety Tips for Long Drives at Night