How to Clean the Inside of Your Car Properly

Maintaining cleanliness inside your car is a necessary part of keeping up the value and long-term lifespan of your vehicle - plus, it looks good to have a clean car. But many vehicle owners don’t even know how to begin tackling the wear and tear that accumulates over time in a vehicle, particularly a well-used vehicle. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning the inside of your car properly, leaving it shiny and polished so it remains impressive to passengers and potential buyers alike.

The first step to cleaning your car properly is clearing out all the junk, and that means everything that isn’t physically attached to your car. Remove all the leftover straw wrappers, all the pennies that fell under your chair, any plastic bags you threw in the backseat, any papers you have stuffed in the seat behind you, any water bottles rattling around in the trunk. If it’s garbage, throw it away. If it’s not garbage, find a place for it elsewhere for as long as it takes to clean your car, then figure out where it belongs. Don’t forget to empty out any pockets and cup holders in your car that might be full of junk.

You may have to drive to a local gas station for this step if you don’t have a vacuum at home, but if you do, great. Your car will need a good vacuum internally, especially in the front seats. Dirt and sand comes in from your shoes, and crumbs fall to the carpet and accumulate. Begin by shaking out any carpet mats in your car as best as you can, then vacuuming the floor without the mats. Get into every nook and cranny you can, including between and under the seats. Vacuum the mats if necessary before putting them back in. If you have fabric seats, vacuum the seats as well.

Use a car window cleaner to wipe down all your windows from the inside. Although most of the junk accumulates from the inside, coughing, sneezing and dirty fingers can all leave smudges and bacteria on the inside of your car, which means it’s generally a good idea to give it a good wipe down on a regular basis. Use a microfiber cleaning towel to get the job done.

Using an interior surface-friendly wiper, like Armor All, to wipe down every part of your dashboard and all panels in your car. This also includes your steering wheel, which might be filthy and grimy from constant contact with your hands, as well as your stick shift and your window panel. You’d be surprised how much dirt can accumulate in places your fingers touch regularly, so don’t be surprised if you have to go through a couple of napkins. Don’t forget to wipe the inside of any cup holders, where liquids can easily spill and build up over time.

Accidents happen regularly, which means there are probably some stains in some of your carpet that could use treatment. If your floor mats are looking a little grimy and dark, try spot cleaning them with a stain treatment then throwing them in the washing machine. If you have any stains on fabrics in your car, you can try a spot treatment with baking soda and water to lift, and blot away with a paper or fabric towel.

Depending on the materials inside your car, you may require various products to maintain and upkeep the car’s look and that will help with your car insurance. For example, you might want a dashboard polish to wipe down and lock in a shiny, bright finish. If you have leather seats, you’ll want to condition the seats on a semi-regular basis to maintain the quality and shine of the leather.

A car is by all definitions a terrible investment - it will depreciate over time, no matter what. However, a well-maintained car, that’s treated inside and out, will keep a higher value than a car that’s cleaned on the outside but neglected on the inside. Plus it will look better, smell better and feel better to ride in. Make sure to take some time every few months - at least twice a year - to give your car a good deep cleaning.