Are you new to owning a car and have never cleaned out the inside before? It really isn’t rocket science but there are few issues that can arrive and some tricks that can help. Learn how to do car interior cleaning at home for beginners.
Why It’s Important to Keeping Your Car Interior Clean
It is important to keep your interior clean, for your health and good vehicle maintenance. Collected dust and dirt can stop switches from working properly.
All cars collect moisture inside them, especially cars that are kept outside. With the collected dust and dirt in and around switches. These debris will get washed down into the contact of these switches and can cause early failure.
By keeping the dust and dirt vacuumed out of the car, you’re extending the life of components inside your interior.
For cloth made seats, dust and dirt kind of get washed into the material. For vinyl and leather, the moist dust and dirt dry and crack the material.
This grime tarnishes painted items, chrome and sets a darker and unhealthy tone to your interior.
Car interior cleaning is essential for your health. Dust and dirt can build up causing mold and mildews. Just breathing dust and dirt isn’t healthy.
Not all cars have cabin filters, but if it does, it should be changed about every 15000 miles.
It also doesn’t hurt to get disinfectant wipes to wipe down the steering wheel, shifter and everything you touch when doing your car interior cleaning. How many of us eat in our cars, you want your hands bacteria free.
Car Interior Cleaning Tools and Supplies Needed
There are many products and tools you can buy to really do a top-notch car interior cleaning. However, for newbies starting out with their first car, this article is going to keep it simple.
As mentioned, there are tons of tools, interior products and cleaners available. If money isn’t an object, I say go for the best. Although, when you first start out, you tend to love the freedom of driving more than the idea of cleaning.
Not to mention, most newbie drivers have most of their money tied up in just buying a car. So, budgeting is a factor. Not to worry, there are ways to keep your car interior cleaning cost down.
RodsShop has an Amazon store-front dedicated to car interior cleaning. Shop all supplies and tools here at Car Interior Cleaning and Detailing.
Basic Car Interior Cleaning Needs
This list, is the basics you will need to keep your interior clean.
Glass cleaner – Alcohol-based is best but any ammonia cleaner will work as well. Vinegar and water can also be used, but keep in mind the smell
Vacuum cleaner – Preferably a shop-vac, a small inexpensive one, or use one at a self-serv car wash
Small soft bristle scrub brush – A used tooth brush will work
Dishwashing liquid – This can be used with water, to wipe severe films off the windshield. It can also be used to clean carpet or upholstery stains
Car wash bucket – To mix the dishwashing liquid and water in
NOTE: It is not recommended to use an ammonia-based glass cleaner on windows with aftermarket tint.
More Advanced Car Interior Cleaning Needs Including Detailing
This list is for products and tools you can buy for better results and use for detailing your interior. Granted, you may not need everything in this list. However, it is a good starting point.
- Glass cleaner – Alcohol-based such as Meguiars Perfect Clarity Glass Cleaner
- Window Cleaning Tool – Tool designed to clean front windshields and back glass with ease
- Shop Vac – At least 4 HP/9 gallon with a 2 1/2in hose
- Detailing Brush Set – May require a variety of sets to get every type brush you will need
- Microfiber Towels
- Cotton Towels
- Paper Towels
- Window Cleaning Tool – With extra bonnets
- Shop Vac Attachments and Accessory Kit
- Upholstery Steam Cleaner
- Dishwashing Liquid and Car Wash Bucket
- Upholstery/Carpet Spray Cleaner with Brush
- Interior All Surface Cleaner
- Leather/Vinyl Conditioner Cleaner
- Disinfectant Wipes
- Interior Protectant Wipes
How to Clean the Interior of Your Car
Whenever I do a car interior cleaning, I will vacuum at least twice. I have my system or steps and that is what I am sharing with you. It can be modified to fit you and your car, but this should give you an idea on the process.
As I mentioned, I vacuum twice. I will do a quick vacuum, usually on the dash and console first. I do this to make cleaning with cleaners a bit easier by not smearing around loose debris.
The reason for the second and final vacuum is due to being in the car cleaning. As you move in and out cleaning, not to mention the cleaning of things knocks debris into the floor. Once your done, you vacuum up behind yourself.
Cleaning the Interior Car Glass
It is best to clean your glass in a shaded and dry area. I recommend cleaning your glass before you wash your car. Do not do it out in the sun or when the temperatures are excessively hot.
The main reason for these conditions is spotting and streaking. If you spray a glass cleaner onto a hot windshield, it will dry and spot before wiping it.
If you try and clean the glass on a heavy moisture day, rainy day or just after you washed it. The cleaner will streak all over. Whenever you clean the glass, it is also a type of buffing.
The process is actually for the cleaner to remove grease and grimy films on the glass. However, you use a dry towel to buff your wipe marks and streaks out of it. If there is moisture in the air, it makes buffing the glass a bit more difficult.
If you do not have tinted windows and the glass is super dirty. You can use an ammonia-based glass cleaner first. Spray one half of the windshield and rub off the cleaner, thoroughly covering all area of what you sprayed.
Do the other half of the windshield the same way, then switch over to an alcohol-based glass cleaner. Repeat the same process by doing half and half. Once the glass is dry, use a microfiber cloth to buff the streaks out with.
If your windshield is really dirty on the outside. You may need to clean it first, so you can visually inspect how clean you got the inside. You can duplicate this whole process for the back glass.
The door glass should be quick and simple, perhaps only use the alcohol-based cleaner alone.
Tips On Cleaning the Windshield
As mentioned, clean the windshield under the right conditions to avoid spotting and streaks. However, most windshields and back glasses are at extreme angles and not always easy to clean.
If you’re sitting in the car, you may notice that holding a cloth in the palm of your hand isn’t comfortable. In fact, you may not even be able to wipe the glass properly.
You can fold and wrap the cloth around your hand, then use the backside of your hand to wipe with. However, there is a Window Cleaning Tool that makes this task far easier, more efficient and faster.
This tool uses microfiber bonnets, so you get the same job as if you were holding a towel. You will still want to go over the windshield with a dry towel to buff the streaks out of it.
NOTE: Some windshields get a film on them that glass cleaners just can’t cut. If you are running into this, where no matter how many times you clean and buff, the streaks remain. Try using dishwashing liquid.
You can take some dishwashing liquid and water in a bucket. Take a cotton towel and soak it in the mix. Ring it out really well and then rub the inside of the windshield down really well. You may need to repeat this a few times. Let dry and then clean the windshield with glass cleaner.
Cleaning the Dash
As I mentioned about vacuuming twice or more, this will include the first quick pass. Using a dust attachment for the vacuum cleaner, run it over the entire dash.
This means run the brush attachment over the speedometer cluster, knobs, AC vents and the top of the dash.
The goal is to remove all the loose dust, dirt and debris. So, when you use a cleaner, you are not just smearing and moving the dirt around.
There is an attachment for the vacuum cleaner that is designed to go down into the AC vents. This is very handy to remove all the dust and dirt that collect down in them.
Using a car interior cleaning brush kit, you can ensure to break loose all the dirt and grime in the cracks. I will sometimes spay a little cleaner on the tips of the brushes and go around knobs and switches.
Afterwards, you can use the dust attachment on the vacuum and go over everything you brushed. A final wipe with a clean and dry microfiber towel will spruce up the look even more.
While you are cleaning your dash, this would be a good time to spruce up and clean your glove compartment. This is a great time to clean out the clutter and possible vacuum it as well.
Cleaning the Console
If your car has a console, it can be clean the same way the dash was. Use a brush set to knock loose the dirt and grime that gets into the cracks. To help keep the mess under control, vacuum what you knock loose.
If your shifter is in the console, put the emergency brake on and pull the shifter all the way back. This will allow you to clean the rest of the shifter area that you can only see while it is in drive.
Some consoles have little hide-a-way holes or pockets. You can always use a Swiffer to get down inside them to clean the dust and dirt.
Some cars also have plastic plug caps marked 12V. These plugs stick into the auxiliary/cigarette lighter sockets. Be careful vacuuming around these, they can be sucked up in the vacuum fairly easy.
Like the dash, if your console has a compartment built in it. This a great time to clean up the clutter and vacuum it.
Many people will rest their arm on the center console. This will cause the console to be darker with embedded dirt. You may need to use an interior cleaner and a brush to scrub and clean.
Once you have done all the scrubbing and cleaning on the console, run the vacuum back over it.
Cleaning the Door Panels
Most door panels have upholstery made into them, as well as plastics. It is just as important to vacuum the upholstery with the dust attachment as vacuuming the carpet.
All upholstery in a car collects dust and grime. As long as you leave areas with dust and dirt in them, it will spread to the areas you already cleaned.
Use an interior surface cleaner or use Windex or any glass cleaner to wipe the plastics and door handle down. To do a thorough car interior cleaning, always use a disinfectant wipe on handles and knobs after cleaning.
Many door panels have pockets made at the bottom. Be sure to vacuum these pockets out as they are the catch-all for dirt and trash.
If your door panel uses a hole for a hand handle, vacuum and clean this area as well.
Clean the Package Tray
This is a highly overlooked area and you may be asking what is it? The package tray is that area behind the back seat that is in between it and the back glass.
Usually, dead bugs collect in the area, seemingly always where the back glass meets this tray. Making it even hard for a vacuum cleaner to suck the bug up.
Other than having to use a small and skinny vacuum attachment. You can use the dust attachment on the vacuum, to clean the package tray.
Most package trays are made with upholstery. So, an upholstery/dust attachment is about the only way you can clean it properly.
Cleaning the Car Seats
You will want to vacuum the cars seats thoroughly before any other type of cleaning may take place. Be sure to use the correct attachments to get down in the cracks of the seats. Like the area where the back meets the bottom part of the seat. Be sure to vacuum the sides of the seats as well.
All seats will pick up stains from your clothing. The combination of your clothes and dust already on the seats, create dark areas on the seats.
Leather and vinyl seats are a bit easier to clean. However, if necessary, you can use a leather upholstery cleaner. Leathers and vinyl’s do get stains down in the texture and need cleaners to remove them.
For seats made with upholstery, an upholstery cleaner is your best avenue. You can use a spray can with brush type upholstery cleaner or dishwashing liquid and water mix.
For the upholstery cleaner, spray and scrub lightly a few times over the darkened areas. Let dry for a minute or two. Vacuum the seats thoroughly. I recommend doing one seat at a time. Always read the instructions on the back of the can this can vary based on brands.
Alternative to Upholstery Cleaner
If you use dishwashing liquid and water, you want to use a towel and a brush. Mix some dishwashing liquid into a car wash bucket. Perhaps 2 ounces of soap, to half a gallon of water.
Take your cotton towel and soak it. Mild to moderately, ring the towel out, you want it a bit yet. Rub the seat in the darkened areas to get them moist. Then take a mild bristle brush and scrub the dirty areas.
Let dry for a minute or two and then vacuum up the moisture and dirt. It wouldn’t hurt to let the seats sit for about 2 or 3 hours and vacuum again to fluff them up.
Cleaning the Interior Carpet and Mats
This is the final step in a car interior cleaning. All the other cleanings in the car interior have contaminated the floor and carpet. Not to mention you getting in and out of the car.
Before removing the floor mats, if you have them, and vacuum them thoroughly. Remove the floor mats from the car and set them aside in a clean place.
Many people will spray a cleaner on the mats and then wash them with the water. This is a great way to clean them, but understand, it can take a couple of days for the mats to completely dry out.
If you do plan on washing you floor mats, I suggest SuperClean and a pressure washer. Hanging the mats up will get the best results. If not, place them on a clean surface with no dirt or leaves to contaminate them.
Spray the mats liberally with SuperClean. Use a brush with some water, you can even use a bucket of dishwashing liquid and water. Scrub the mats down thoroughly until any spots disappear.
Use the pressure washer or a hose to rinse the mats off. If the mats are laying down, you will need to pick them up occasionally while rinsing to remove the dirt. Also wash the backside of the mats.
Let the mats dry at least a day out in the sun and air. You can always use a shop vac to suck most of the water out of the mats.
Cleaning the Carpet
I highly suggest using the claw type vacuum attachment for the bulk of the carpet cleaning. You will need a long skinny tube attachment to get down beside the seats. Mostly, you will find using a variety of attachments helpful in doing a thorough car interior cleaning.
It is far easier and more effective to pull the vacuum attachment toward you when vacuuming. Trying to push it away from you will just result in it hanging or even possibly damaging something.
It will require you to vacuum over the same areas several times to get the best cleaning. Always clean out any clutter underneath your seats. Then vacuum thoroughly, as this is also quite often overlooked.
You may have to use a carpet cleaner for any spots that the vacuum can’t remove. If this is necessary, scrub with a cleaner, then vacuum the area.
Finalize Your Car Interior Cleaning
This isn’t necessarily required for a car interior cleaning, but I do recommend it. Wipe your dash, console and any plastics, rubber or vinyl down with a protectant.
Dashes are the worst for catching the UVs from the sun, not to mention dust and dirt. Using an interior protectant, helps keep the dust from collecting and protects from UVs.
A protectant also enhances the interiors look and makes appear to have a new car look.
Watch Video on Car Interior Cleaning
Conclusion to Car Interior Cleaning at Home
Even though cleaning a car interior isn’t rocket science, there is some detail in doing a thorough job. However, if you can vacuum your car and wipe it down with some disinfectant wipes every two weeks.
That should keep your car interior maintenance up, to help it last longer. Not to mention make it a healthier environment for you and your family.
As mentioned, it is best to clean the interior before washing your car to keep the moisture down. It is also important to keep your car washed to prolong the life of the paint. Learn how to Wash Your Car Properly to get the best job.
RodsShop has an Amazon store-front dedicated to car interior cleaning. Shop all supplies and tools here at Car Interior Cleaning and Detailing.
Most people don’t think about the door seals and the sill plates when cleaning their cars. This area kind of gets missed but is important. When vacuuming, pull the door seal back at the bottom and see if there is debris trapped in it.
If so, vacuum this out and then wipe it with a towel with dishwashing soapy water. The same goes with the sill plate, wipe it with the same towel.
Just take your time, have patients and try to enjoy and take some pride in making your car look new again. Cleanliness often adds a since of accomplishment and confidence.
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