Tips and Tricks for Cleaning Your Car Interior

Prep Work for Easier Cleaning

To clean your car interior, you’ll need:

• Vacuum, preferably a wet/dry vac
• Microfiber cloths
• All-purpose cleaner
• Soft narrow and stiff bristle brush (Learn more about detailing brushes)
• Vinyl protectant
• Automotive glass cleaner

The Wagner steam cleaner kit is ideal for thorough car interior cleaning chores

The following optional tools can take your car interior cleaning efforts to the next level:

• Carpet or steam cleaner
• Carpet spot remover
• Leather cleaner and protectant

Park your car somewhere that allows easy access with all the doors open. Start by removing trash and food wrappers from the car. If you have spare change or items in the cubby holes and trays, remove them temporarily. You want the car stripped down to the basics to make cleaning easier.

As always, read and follow specific instructions for your cleaners. Check for color steadfastness. Apply a small amount of cleaner in an inconspicuous spot on the material, let it sit for a minute, and then use a clean white towel to remove it. Don’t use a cleaner if any color is evident on the white cloth.

Cleaning Your Car’s Carpet

Carefully remove the car mats if you have them. Vacuum the carpet and mats. If there are stains, spray the carpet cleaner on the spot, let it sit for 30 seconds, and then use a stiff-bristled brush to work the cleaner into the carpet fibers. Use a clean microfiber to wipe the spot and remove the excess cleaner.

For a heavily soiled carpet, use a carpet steam cleaner. Apply an all-purpose car interior cleaner to the carpet directly or use the detergent dispenser in the steam cleaner. Use the stiff-bristled brush to work the cleaner into the fiber, let it set for five minutes, and then extract the dirt and water. Let the carpet dry thoroughly before use. If necessary, run the heater in the car to help dry the carpet.

Most cleaning attachments offer limited access to the seating area, particularly under the seats. You might need to remove the seats. This can be complicated since many seats have electrical connections and even integrated airbags. Check your service manual for details.

This set of Honda S2000 floor mats needs a thorough cleaning.

There are two ways to clean filthy carpet mats. The first is to use a steam cleaner to remove any gunk, following the directions above. Second, soak the mats with water from a hose, then apply the all-purpose cleaner with a stiff-bristled brush. Rinse with a steady stream of water, then let the mats dry. Hang them vertically to speed up the drying process.

Use a grease remover to resolve stubborn grease stains. Spray the grease remover on the mark, let it sit for one minute, then rub it with a clean cloth. Repeat as necessary. In the future, if you notice a grease spot, treat it right away before it spreads and attracts dirt.

Cleaning the Headliner

You might fail to recognize how dirty a vehicle’s headliner can get since you don’t often look up inside your car.

Lightly go over the headliner surface with your vacuum’s soft brush attachment. This will take care of most of the dirt. If you have any marks or stains, treat them with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe them gently with a microfiber cloth.

Cleaning Your Upholstery

Leather Seats

Some of the upholstery might actually be imitation leather that looks identical to the car’s leather surfaces. Generally, the seat cushion, steering wheel, shifter knob, and perhaps the armrests will have actual leather.

It is best to clean and treat the leather portions separately from the imitation stuff. We’ll cover cleaning vinyl trim below.

Use the vacuum to remove dirt, especially in creases or seams. Apply leather cleaner by rubbing it with a clean microfiber cloth. If necessary, you can use a soft brush to work the cleaner into the leather. Let it sit for five minutes, then use a clean towel to buff off the excess cleaner.

Apply leather protectant to the leather pieces and let it sit per the instructions. After the leather has absorbed the protectant, remove excess with a clean towel.

Fabric Seats

Cleaning car upholstery with a steam cleaner

Vacuum the car seats. If dirt remains, apply all-purpose cleaner, using a soft towel to rub the cleaner in. If necessary, use a brush to rub in gently. Don’t be too aggressive, or you might scuff the upholstery.

Let it sit for five minutes, then use a new towel to remove the cleaner. You could use the steam cleaner to remove the dirt if it is excessively dirty.

Vinyl Trim

Many surfaces that don’t get touched often—like the dashboard, door panels, and seat backs—are covered in vinyl material. To clean these, apply all-purpose cleaner with a soft microfiber cloth. Rub briskly over any noticeably dirty spots. Use a soft, clean towel to remove any cleaner.

After it’s clean and dry, apply a vinyl protectant. If you are applying it to the dashboard, use a protectant with a matte finish so it doesn’t reflect the sun and interfere with the driver’s vision.

Addressing the Details

Glass

In addition to the insides of the car windows, the gauges and the infotainment screen can be cleaned with a glass cleaner. Spray the cleaner onto the surfaces lightly, then wipe off with a clean microfiber. Don’t forget to clean your rearview mirror as well.

Vents

Wipe the surface of the car’s vents with an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber. Use a thin, soft-bristled brush to remove the dust from the interior portion of the vents.

Air Freshener

You can spray the car’s carpets with your favorite scent or place an air freshener in the vehicle for an extra sense of cleanliness.

Keeping Your Car’s Interior Clean

Edgeless microfiber cloth

Leave a microfiber towel and a small bottle of all-purpose cleaner in the car. If you spill liquid in the car, quickly soak it up and treat the spot with some cleaner.

You can use the same clean microfiber to occasionally wipe down the dashboard or infotainment screen as dust accumulates. Keeping the car clean day-to-day will make it easier when you do a full-scale interior cleaning.

After a thorough, deep clean, it is easy to keep the interior uncluttered. Tidy up the interior every two weeks or after a car wash, and it will remain fresh and clean.