Before we get into the cup holders, car mats, and car cleaning products, let’s address some general car cleaning tips that will help keep your vehicle in good shape, longer.
Toss the trash. Every single time you leave your car, where you’re going into a store or arriving at home, throw the trash away. Trash is the biggest mess maker leading to mystery odors, spills, crumbs, and stains, explains cleaning expert and author of The Cleaning Ninja Courtenay Hartford. Even car clutter like papers, bags, and gym or sports equipment should leave the car regularly. Prevent sticky situations. Cup holders get gross fast, especially if you have young kids. You won’t believe what you can find in the bottoms. Prevent those messes going forward by sticking silicone cupcake liners inside at least the cup holders in the back seat, recommends Jennifer Gregory, brand manager for the home cleaning service Molly Maid. They can get tossed into the dishwasher if they get sticky. Do a quick dusting. Waiting for the kids at soccer or letting your car warm up? Keeping a microfiber cloth or Swiffer duster in the car will let you clean up smaller messes in-between major cleans. Taking a minute to do that when you have time will really minimize the need for a deep clean.
While the goal is not to have it get to this point, sometimes you need to do a deep interior car clean. So, here’s how to clean your car’s interior from top to bottom—which is exactly what you want to do. Start from the upper surfaces and work down. There’s no point in cleaning the carpet to have dirt fall right back on the floor, after all. For additional dirt and germs, a damp microfiber cloth will actually remove 99 percent of bacteria thanks to the unique fiber structure. It’s a great item to keep in your car cleaning kit– but since you’ve got dirty hands touching the steering wheel and sweat building up, a little disinfecting could be just what you need. “For a synthetic steering wheel, you can wipe it down with a microfiber cloth and a solution of two cups water and few drops of dish soap. You don’t even want it to foam up,” she explains. After the dashboard and steering wheel are clean, treat them to prevent cracks and wear. For leather, you can use Weiman’s leather wipes ($4; target.com), while for interior plastic, vinyl, and rubber, you can use Armor All’s protectant wipes ($5; target.com) to help fading and discoloration. They’re some of the best car interior cleaning products out there. Be sure to work any stubborn dirt out again with a toothbrush or canned air, and clean with a damp microfiber cloth and the cleaning solution above. “There are parts of the console that can sometimes be removed and washed separately, as well. If that’s the case, do it,” says Hartford. “In between deep cleanings, I like to use baby wipes to clean small spills and dirt, too.” How to Clean Cloth Car Seats If you want to go the all-natural way with stains, mix up a combination of one-cup water, a half-cup of vinegar, and a half-tablespoon of dish soap. Spray it on stains and blot with a wet microfiber cloth until they’re removed. “I’ve also had great luck with Turtle Wax upholstery cleaner ($5; target.com). You spray the foam on the stain and you can use the built-in brush to work it out. It really refreshes the fabric,” says Hartford. How to Clean Leather Car Seats Leather is a breeze to care for after vacuuming: Just wipe it down with a solution of two cups water and five drops of dish soap. Put your mixture in a spray bottle and set it to a fine mist. Spritz down the seats and wipe until completely dry. You can use the same leather conditioning wipes as you did on your steering wheel afterwards. If you want to buy a product to use, try ammonia-free Windex, which is safer on car surfaces. If you’re running into issues removing stickers from back windows (left there by kids or your own), Hartford has found that the most effective way to remove the adhesive is applying a paste of olive oil and baking soda to the area. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then scour with a non-scratch Scotch-Brite pad ($5 for a 6-pack; homedepot.com). Now it’s time to treat any lingering stains. Gregory recommends using a store-bought, heavy-duty brand for tough ground-in dirt like Turtle Wax Power Out! Carpet & Mats cleaner ($5; walmart.com) or Car Guys super cleaner ($17; amazon.com). Use according to package directions. After that deep clean, it might be time to consider using a quality floor mat if your rug and mats are taking a beating. A brand like WeatherTech practically covers the entire floor.
