How to Clean Your Car Interior With What You Have at Home

How to Clean Your Steering Wheel and Dashboard

Cleaning your dashboard is important. Not only does wiping up your dashboard prevent the spread of bacteria, but clearing the clutter from it also promotes safety on the road. You shouldn't drive with any obstructions blocking the view through your windshield or loose items that can roll around. These can be distracting and dangerous.

1. Use a Disinfecting Wipe

   Everything your hands touch lands on your steering wheel and controls, so clean them daily with a disinfecting wipe. Let the surface stay wet for at least 5 minutes before drying with a lint-free microfiber towel.

2. Remove Dust

   An electrostatic disposable duster works well to remove dust from the dashboard. For tight areas in vents, use cotton swabs to capture trapped lint and dust.

3. Wipe Away Smudges

   To remove fingerprints and smudges, dampen a microfiber cloth with water and wipe down the dashboard.

4. Condition and Protect

   When everything is clean, condition the dashboard with a protectant to prevent cracking and fading.

How to Clean the Center Console

The center console can get pretty dirty pretty quickly. It's an easy place to collect dust, and if you sit your coffees in the cupholders there, they're susceptible to sticky circles. The center console is also likely where you store (and leave behind) a bunch of stuff: Old gum, random keys, crinkled receipts, candy wrappers... It's important to tidy up and disinfect this space since it's used so much.

1. Remove the Cupholder

   If possible, remove the cupholder components and place them in a small bucket or bowl filled with warm water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Let them soak while you clean the rest of the console. After soaking, wipe with a dishcloth, rinse, and then dry with a microfiber cloth before reassembling.

2. Wipe With a Microfiber Cloth

   Dampen a microfiber cloth (it should not be dripping, which allows moisture to enter the mechanics of the console) and then use it to wipe down the gearstick and other controls.

3. Clean Crevices

   Use an old toothbrush or damp cotton swab to clean tight corners and crevices, and then wipe with a microfiber cloth or vacuum debris with the vacuum’s crevice tool.

   When you're done cleaning each crevice, place a cup in the cupholder or door side pocket for straw wrappers and small bits of trash that accumulate. This way, you can just toss the cup next time and keep the console cleaner.

   
   

How to Clean Car Windows

Car windows need cleaning, too. After all, you need to be able to see clearly through them in order to drive safely. Car windows can collect all sorts of stuff—from dust and dirt to pollen and smashed bugs. Cleaning and disinfecting your windows can improve your view and keep germs at bay.

1. Choose a Window Cleaner

   If using a commercial window cleaner, choose one without ammonia (because it can damage interior finishes) and check the label to be sure the product is safe to use on tinted windows.

   Alternatively, you can make a homemade window cleaner by mixing distilled white vinegar and water in a 1:1 solution in a spray bottle.

2. Lower the Window

   Lower the window slightly so you can get the top edge clean. Starting at the top, spray the glass lightly and then wipe away grime and smudges with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

3. Avoid Streaks

   To help avoid streaks when cleaning windows, work in a shaded location so the cleaner doesn’t dry too quickly:

   • Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as you work.
   • Clean the outside of the windows in a vertical motion and the inside with a horizontal motion so you can quickly identify problems and remove streaks.

How to Clean Leather Car Seats

Many cars have leather seats, which require specific cleaning products and methods. Cleaning leather car seats is a multi-step process, and it's important to take care so that they don't dampen and collect more bacteria.

1. Vacuum First

   Always begin by using the crevice tool of a vacuum to remove dust and crumbs from the seams and the area where the back and bottom of the seats join.

2. Use the Right Type of Cleaner

    Use a commercial leather cleaner (or saddle soap) and a damp cloth to clean the seats.

3. Start at the Top

   Following your leather cleaner's directions, start at the top of the seat and work your way down to avoid leaving dirty drips on clean areas.

4. Condition the Leather

   When the seats are clean and dry, use a commercial leather conditioner to keep the seats supple and soft. Buff dry with a soft cloth.

How to Clean Cloth Car Seats

Cloth car seats are sometimes easier to clean than leather car seats because you may be able to remove the seat covers. Even if you can't remove the covers, however, you have more options for cleaning products when cleaning cloth instead of leather.

1. Vacuum the Fabric

   Use the upholstery and crevice vacuum tools to remove loose dust and dirt from the fabric. Be sure to clean carefully between the back and bottom cushions.

2. Pretreat Stains

   Use a commercial upholstery cleaner (according to label directions) or a homemade cleaner to pretreat stains.

   To make your own upholstery stain cleaner, create a 1:1 mixture of oxygen bleach powder and water in a small bowl. Use a soft-bristled brush to apply the paste and work it into the stain. Let it work for one hour before vacuuming the dried powder and soil.

3. Choose or Make a Cleaner

   Follow the directions on a commercial upholstery cleaner or use a DIY cleaner.

   To make your own upholstery cleaner, add ½ cup distilled white vinegar, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and 1 cup warm water to a spray bottle. Shake well to mix.

4. Apply the Cleaner

   Starting at the top of the seat, lightly spray the cleaner and work it into the fabric with a soft-bristled brush. Clean all surfaces, including the sides and backs of the seats where kids have left footprints, and don’t forget the seat belts.

   Do not saturate the upholstery because it will take too long for the padding to dry, allowing mold and mildew to form.

5. Rinse the Seats

   Remove loose soil and “rinse” the seats by wiping them down with a microfiber cloth dampened with clean water. Rinse and wring the cloth often, and change the water as it becomes dirty.

6. Dry the Upholstery

   Leave windows open as the upholstery dries. To speed the process, set up a circulating fan nearby.

How to Clean Car Carpet

Your carpet might be the dirtiest area of your car. After all, you walk around outside and in public, and then step all over the carpet in the car. Regularly cleaning the carpet is key to keeping your car fresh and free of debris and germs. Plus, freshly cleaned soft surfaces make the car smell much better, too.

1. Remove and Clean the Floor Mats

   If you have floor mats, remove them to clean separately. Hose down rubber mats and, if they're carpeted, clean them following the same steps as the car’s carpet.

2. Vacuum the Carpet

   Carpets are the last area of the car you should vacuum so you catch all the dust and debris that has fallen to the floor from the dashboard and seats. Use the crevice and upholstery brush to slowly cover each area of the carpet.

3. Treat Stains

   Following the label directions, use a commercial carpet stain remover to treat oil, food, and dirt stains.

4. Use a Carpet Cleaner

   To do an overall carpet cleaning, use a commercial carpet cleaning powder (dry or liquid) or use the same homemade solution recommended for cleaning upholstery (½ cup distilled white vinegar, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and 1 cup warm water).

5. Air-Dry

   Open the windows and allow the carpet to air-dry. Add a circulating fan to speed up the process. Do not replace freshly cleaned car mats until the carpet is completely dry.

   After you're done cleaning the carpet and allowing it to dry, spray the carpet and fabric upholstery with an odor-eliminating fabric refresher.

Tips to Keep Your Car Clean for Longer

Now that you have a clean, odor-free car, follow these tips to keep it that way.

• Keep a small trash bag handy and toss it at least weekly. 
• Line cupholders with silicone baking cups to catch drips, and occasionally toss them in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
• Keep an electrostatic duster, lint roller, and a microfiber cloth in the glove compartment or console for quick clean-ups while you’re waiting in the car.
• Use washable seat covers when transporting pets and kids.
• Treat spills and stains as soon as possible.
• Wipe off shoes before stepping inside.