A clean interior makes every drive more pleasant and helps the car keep its value. Working in the right order saves time: from top to bottom, dry before wet.
Before you start
Take everything out: rubbish, loose items, child seats and floor mats. It is the step most people skip, and it makes the rest twice as fast. Shake out or beat the mats outside.
What you need: a vacuum with a crevice tool and a brush attachment, microfiber cloths, a soft brush (an old paintbrush works for vents), a gentle all-purpose interior cleaner, glass cleaner, and an upholstery or leather cleaner depending on your seats.
Vacuum thoroughly
Start with the headliner and seats, then the carpets. Slide the front seats fully forward and back to reach underneath. Use the brush to loosen dirt from carpet fibers and seams. For pet hair, a rubber glove or a pumice-style pet hair stone pulls it out of fabric better than a vacuum alone.
Hard surfaces and screens
Spray cleaner on the cloth, not directly on the dashboard, to avoid getting liquid into electronics. Wipe the dashboard, door panels, center console and steering wheel. Use the brush for vents and around buttons. For touchscreens, use a dry microfiber cloth or a cleaner made for screens; avoid ammonia-based glass cleaners, which can damage anti-glare coatings. Avoid shiny dressings on the dashboard, which can cause glare on the windshield.
Seats and carpets
Fabric seats and carpets can be cleaned with an upholstery cleaner and a brush, then blotted with a clean towel. Do not soak them; moisture in foam leads to smells and mold. Leather needs a gentle pH-balanced leather cleaner followed by a conditioner, a few times a year. Test any product on a hidden spot first.
Windows and finishing
Clean the inside of the windows last, with two cloths: one to clean, one to buff dry. A film builds up on the inside of the windshield, especially in cars with new plastics or smokers, and it causes glare at night. Put the mats back once they are dry.
Dealing with odors
Find the source rather than masking it: spilled milk, food under the seats, a damp carpet, or a dirty cabin air filter. Replacing that filter, often behind the glove box, is cheap and improves air quality. Baking soda left on a dry carpet overnight and then vacuumed absorbs many smells.
A quick tidy every week, with a full clean every few months, keeps things under control. For the outside, see our detailing tips, which apply to cars as well as motorcycles. Pet owners will also find useful tips in choosing a car when you have a dog.
