How to Clean Your Car’s Interior

If you want to keep your car’s interior clean but don’t want to drop some cash on detailing services, you can do it yourself. Cleaning your car’s interior doesn’t take much time, nor does it require any fancy equipment. With some practice, you can get your cleaning routine down to a science. Below, you can read tips on how to clean the interior of your vehicle so that you can create a spotless space for you and your passengers to enjoy.

The Importance of Keeping a Clean Interior Space in Your Vehicle

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With all that you have on your plate, keeping a clean interior space in your vehicle may seem like the furthest thing from your mind. We encourage you to give this task some thought, however, as it can present several benefits. For one, it lets you create an inviting space that you and your passengers can use to enjoy any trip.

Keeping your car’s interior space clean is also beneficial because it can help you maintain its value. When it comes time to resell it, a potential customer may be more willing to pay top dollar for a vehicle with a shining interior.

Remove Trash from Your Vehicle

One of the easiest ways to clean your vehicle’s interior is to remove trash from it. You can start by clearing empty bottles and candy wrappers from the floor, glove box, side storage compartments, and under the seats. Make sure to remove any fast food bags so that bugs don’t find their way inside your vehicle.

Once you remove all trash items, you can install a trash bag in your car. We recommend one that attaches to the back of a headrest so that it doesn’t take up any space on the floor. Put all future trash that you produce directly into this bag so that it doesn’t accumulate in your car. Try to empty the bag regularly so that it doesn’t overflow.

Vacuum the Floor, Seats, and Trunk

Dirt, food crumbs, and grass blades are bound to make their way into your vehicle. You can easily clean this kind of debris with a household vacuum. Before you start vacuuming, try taking out your vehicle’s floor mats. You can shake them out outside to limit the amount of debris you have to vacuum. For whatever mess is leftover, you can snap on a flexible crevice tool, power the vacuum on, and get to work. You can make your way into every nook and cranny, including between and under the seats.

Wipe Down the Windows and Glass

Another tip for cleaning your vehicle’s interior is to wipe down the windows and glass components. You can create your own solution by combining half water and half rubbing alcohol and adding a capful of white vinegar. This solution is gentle enough to prevent damage, and it effectively disinfects the surface and doesn’t leave streaks in its wake. Be sure to use a lint-free microfiber towel for the best results.

If you don’t want to make your own solution, you can invest in a glass cleaner that’s specifically meant for use in cars. Be sure that the cleaner doesn’t contain ammonia, as this substance can dry out the rubber seals around your windows and lead to water leaks. The wrong kind of glass cleaner can also ruin your vehicle’s tint, so be sure it’s meant only for use in cars.

You can gently wipe your car’s windows to get rid of any fingerprints or other smudges. You can also target the windshield and rearview mirror so that you can achieve smooth surfaces and improve your visibility while you drive.

Remove Fabric Stains

Fabric stains can be quite unsightly, but you can clean them when you know what kind of stains you’re facing. For example, cornstarch can be beneficial for removing grease stains. Simply pour enough cornstarch over the affected area to completely cover it. Then, you can let it sit for approximately 30 minutes and vacuum up the powder. For stains that have had more time to set, you may have to apply a water and cornstarch paste and allow it to sit for up to one hour.

If you have some sports-playing kids who’ve created grass stains on your seats, hydrogen peroxide might be able to come to the rescue. Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to cover the affected area. Allow the solution to sit for about 10 minutes. Soak up what’s left and wash the area with water to get rid of the hydrogen peroxide altogether. The compound should lighten the green color that grass stains produce, allowing you to return your fabric seats to their original beauty.

If you’re not sure what kind of stains are plaguing your seats or you have too many to tackle, consider making a general-purpose cleaner. You can combine equal parts of Dawn dish soap, club soda, and white vinegar. Mix the solution well and add it to a spray bottle. Spray the stained areas liberally. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing the area and cleaning it off with a damp towel.

If you own a car that came with scorch mark stains from cigarettes, you can easily get rid of them. Rub a small piece of raw onion onto the area. The acidity from the onion will lessen the appearance of burn marks. You can complete the process by rubbing the area with a wet towel to get rid of the onion’s smell.

Eliminate Dust and Grime on Hard Surfaces

A microfiber towel that you dampen with water may be enough to wipe away dust and grime on hard surfaces like your dashboard and the top of your center console. You may also use a solution of rubbing alcohol and water. Baby wipes or damp fabric softener sheets can also be useful for wiping away accumulated dust.

Target Leather Surfaces With the Right Products

Leather seats are susceptible to bleaching, so be mindful of which products you use. One safe option is using toothpaste and a clean toothbrush to scrub at any stains. You can also try a solution of linseed oil and white vinegar. Always test a small area to notice the product’s effect before you move to a big stain.

If you’ve read through these tips and need a vehicle to apply them on, feel free to visit our dealership at Nissan of Streetsboro to browse our inventory. You can test drive any vehicle that catches your eye and explore the interior space that you plan to upkeep.