It’s gross and you know it. The spilled coffee stains, the kid shoe marks on the back seat, the dog hair, the sticky “I don’t even know what that is” stuff on the windows and never mind the clutter. You feel like you’ve reached the point of no return, yet you desire the shiny, new insides like when you first bought your vehicle. Have no fear. Resurrection is possible with these 4 thorough, deep cleaning tips to get your car’s interior back to its original state.
Be a trashmaster
This is a good job for the kids. Get out a big bag and have them collect all the garbage and debris. Look under all the seats, slide them forward, and fold them in half to reveal all the messy build up that has accumulated. Don’t forget the cupholders, glove and storage compartments. Remove all the basic supplies you need on a regular basis in order to clean, and simply re-organise them at the end.
Vacuum both big and small
Whether it’s a chunk of Fido’s hair or a raisin spill, any sturdy garage vacuum can handle the work. Add the proper attachments to get in and under the seats and storage areas, door pockets, floors and floor mats (make sure to remove them). Do a heavy duty initial vacuuming at the beginning and a final, quick pass at the end just to suck up miscellaneous dust that has gotten blown around as you move to the other cleaning.
Wipe, scrub and polish
It’s best to work from the top down, so start with the windows in a shaded location (cleaning windows in the sun will cause them to streak). A lint-free towel works well to dry the window cleaner, while a damp all-natural leather chamois can really remove the film build up.
Inexpensive microfiber cloths are a great tool for the interior and console of your vehicle. To get in the small spaces, wrap the cloth around a flat-nosed screwdriver to clean in between vents and places your fingers alone can’t reach. Break out the cotton swabs for even smaller spaces.
Use an old toothbrush and soapy water to scrub away caked on stains any place including vinyl/upholstery seats and plastic molded interior.
Make sure to apply leather cleaner and use as directed for any leather interior you have. For upholstery, dab with a damp sponge using baking soda and water and let sit if need be. Wipe and vacuum any remaining residue.
If the animal hair just isn’t budging off the fabric seats even after vacuuming, try a light spritz of water and follow with a squeegee, or use a sticky roller on its own.
Floor stains no more
Dirty floors, mats, trunks and back storage areas can get filthy real quick. Remove floor mats and power vacuum all areas. For the floor, trunk and cargo carpets, spot clean using a solution of hot water and vinegar with a squirt of dish liquid to scrub stains if necessary. Dry completely.
Since floor mats take the brunt of wear, they’re bound to be extra dirty. If they’re all rubber, a good scrubbing with soap and water followed by rinsing with a hose will have them looking spotless again. If you have upholstery covered mats, hose them down, sprinkle with borax and scrub them like crazy. Let them sit in the sun for awhile if you can and then hose them off until the water runs clear (no more suds). Make sure they’re fully dry before placing them back in the car.
You probably spend a considerable amount of time in your vehicle and an environment of chaos and filth won’t help your mental state. Take the time to deep clean your vehicle and be proud of the outcome! Doing light and regular cleanings such as immediately putting trash into a designated container, cleaning spills when they occur, and wiping the interior and windows often will help you keep an unmistakably clean and tidy car.