Is there a space that seems to accumulate dirt, debris, and random objects more than your car? It makes sense. Our cars are like little houses on wheels. Between mid-race coffee runs, kids’ snacks, and muddy paws, our vehicles take a beating and most don’t have trash cans. You also probably don’t do the same regular sweeps that you do inside your home.
But a professional detail is expensive. For a large SUV, you could pay between $80 and $100 to restore your car’s interior to its former glory. Fortunately, clean your car at home is a relatively easy task. With regular maintenance, this is something you shouldn’t have to do very often either. About once a month should be enough.
When your car needs more than just a quick floor mat removal or vacuuming job, follow this guide, with advice from our experts in the field. Institute of Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab, to clean the interior of your car like a professional.
What you will need
How to clean your car, step by step
1. Perform a quick scan.
Bring a trash bag in your car and throw away all wrappers, empty cups, old receipts, and anything else that needs to be thrown in the trash. Put everything you come across (rogue kids’ socks, water bottles, pet leashes and more) into a reusable bag to bring inside, so you can return each item to its proper place around the house.
2. Remove and clean floor mats and car seats.
Before you even think about vacuuming the carpet, remove the floor mats from the car and shake them out. To get rid of carpet stains, a portable tool like the BISSELL Little Green Portable Multi-Purpose Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is the most effective. For stubborn stains on rubber mats, use a garden hose to remove stuck-on bits, then scrub remaining stains with a mixture of dish soap and warm water.
Now is also a good time to remove child car seats. Shake them out and vacuum them using a crevice tool. These items have many nooks and crannies, which will help you do a more thorough job without damaging the seat. You can also use a damp cloth to clean problem areas.
3. Wipe the windows.
Brush any visible dirt from the inside of the windshield and windows as well as any streaks underneath. Then spray with a window cleaner like Invisible glass, which has a fine mist so the spray drips less – which is important when working with automatic windows. (You can also use Windex Glass and Multi-Surface Cleaning Wipes if you find this more convenient.) Wipe away any traces of the product with a clean microfiber cloth. Because they are super absorbent, they will leave the glass shiny and streak-free.
4. Dust the faceplate, dashboard and console.
Because it’s the focal point of your car, it’s where you’ll first notice dust and dirt. Wipe it with a microfiber cloth or vacuum up any dirt and grime for a quick fix. To make your dashboard look like new, spray the corners and seams with pressurized air and wipe it with a cloth dampened with an all-purpose cleaner like Car Guys Super Cleaner. Finish by disinfecting any high-traffic areas with disinfectant wipes and adding air freshener to eliminate odors.
5. Clean the cup holders.
Don’t sleep on your cup holders. These hard-working spots can be one of the dirtiest – and stickiest – areas of your car’s interior. To clean these stains before they start harboring bacteria, dip the removable plastic cup holders in soapy water, rinse them, then wipe them dry. If yours are not removable, you can wipe them with warm, soapy water. (A small brush set can help you access those hard-to-reach places.)
Whether you have leather or cloth seats, the first step is to vacuum them. For best results, use a cordless hand vacuum with the upholstery tool or brush. Then use the crevice tool to reach the crumbs and dust stuck in the seams and between the seats. The following steps vary depending on the type of seats you have:
If you have fabric seats, use your upholstery cleaning machine, or for stubborn stains, a carpet and upholstery cleaner like Bissell Professional Pet Stain and Odor Remover. Simply spray it on and apply it to the stain with a cloth or soft brush, then let it sit according to the label instructions. Rinse with a damp cloth and dry.
If you have leather seats, use a mild soap or leather cleaner, such as GH Seal Star. Furniture Clinic Leather Cleaner, into the leather with a soft, damp cloth. Then rinse with another damp cloth before buffing with a dry cloth. Finally, apply a protectant like GH Seal Star Furniture Clinic Leather Protection Cream to help prevent future stains.
Vinyl-covered car seats are easy: spray with an all-purpose cleaner, like Car Guys Super Cleaneron hot spots, then wipe with a microfiber cloth.
7. Make a complete pass on the mat.
Once the rest of the car interior is clean, vacuum the base carpet completely using the mini rotating brush if your vacuum cleaner is equipped with one. Otherwise, use the upholstery tool/brush. (You want to save this step for last, as debris may fall onto the floor during the cleaning process.) Use smaller nozzles to clean crevices, including seat rails and even seat pockets. After vacuuming, you may want to use your upholstery cleaner to remove stubborn stains.
8. Wipe the steering wheel and door handles.
Finally, since these frequently touched areas can harbor germs and bacteria, spray the steering wheel and all door handles with a disinfectant spray. Let sit for the time indicated on the manufacturer’s instructions and air dry, then buff with a microfiber cloth. For leather-covered steering wheels, use a disinfectant wipe.
How often should you clean your car?
Cleaning your car may seem like a daunting task, but here’s some good news: it’s something you only need to do about once a month. And if you’re diligent about regular maintenance cleaning, the task will become easier to accomplish since you won’t have to do such a thorough cleaning every time. Another nice perk: When you have a clean car, it’s easier to maximize space, meaning you’ll be able to fit more sports equipment, groceries, or whatever else you need to take on the go. city.
How to Keep Your Car Interior Cleaner
To minimize the amount of work you have to do each time you clean your car’s interior, follow these tips to keep things tidy:
- Don’t eat in the car. This goes for both you and the kids, especially messy foods that crumble easily or sticky items like pacifiers.
- Wipe your pets’ paws before placing them in the vehicle – and, if you own an SUV, consider securing your pets safely in the cargo area. You may also want to keep a lint roller in the glove compartment to quickly remove pet hair every time your cat or dog rides with you.
- Keep a small trash can in the car for snack wrappers, empty cups and all those pesky receipts that pile up.
- Place protective covers for car seats above the seats. If you have young children, you can also place protective mats on the back of the front seats to prevent mud marks from accumulating on leather, vinyl, or cloth seats.
- Apply Leather Conditioner such as Furniture Clinic Leather Protection Creamor a fabric protector such as Scotchgard Automotive Fabric and Carpet Water Shieldto seats to help repel spills and make stain removal easier.
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Contributing writer
Brigitt is a craft writer, editor and stylist with almost 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertainment, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.