Photo by Blocks Fletcher
So, you’ve just finished making the outside of your car squeaky clean (thanks to our how to clean your car guide), but the interiors are still looking a little lack lustre…
Professional cleaning can be expensive, but with the right know-how, you can clean your car interior just as well as the pros.
Luckily, we’ve done most of the hard work for you and have put together a step-by-step guide to cleaning car interior. Learn how to clean your car interiors at home - including car seats, upholstery and windscreen - to get them looking as good as new.
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How to clean your car interiors
If you’ve never tried to clean your car interiors, it can seem like a daunting task; but, if you follow these simple instructions, you can get them looking spick and span in no time!
1. Remove any rubbish
The first thing to do when cleaning car interiors is to remove any rubbish or debris; we’re talking old parking receipts, rubbish, water bottles and plastic bags. It’s amazing how a quick clear-up can transform how your car interiors look - and it only takes a few minutes. Just remember to dispose of everything correctly, recycling where possible.
Top tip: to get rid of any lingering smells and keep your interiors smelling sweet, invest in a car air freshener.
2. Remove and clean the floor mats
Car floor mats gather mud and grime over time, so remove them and give them a thorough shake outside. For particularly dusty mats, whip out the hoover and give them a quick once-over.
To eliminate stains and dust from carpet floor mats, use a specialist carpet cleaner and follow the instructions on the bottle. For rubber or vinyl floor mats, use a hose to give them a wash, before further rubbing down with a sponge and some warm, soapy water. Then, let your floor mats air dry before putting them back into the car.
Tackle the interior carpet
Using the brush attachment and smaller nozzles on your hoover to help you get into all the nooks and crannies of your car interiors, suck away any dirt and debris. Don’t forget to hoover the seat pockets and boot too.
To remove stains, spray carpet cleaner on any problem areas and brush it in with a medium to stiff-bristled brush. Then, blot the area with a clean microfibre cloth to dry.
Clean the dashboard and centre console
Wondering how to clean your car’s interior plastic? Give the dashboard and centre console some attention by removing dust with a clean, soft duster or microfibre cloth. Don’t forget to give the gear stick and air conditioning vents a thorough wipe down, too.
If you’ve had any drink spillages on the centre console, we recommended wetting a clean microfibre cloth (only so it is damp, not dripping) and giving it a good rub down. If the cup holder is removable, soak it in warm water and washing up liquid and give it a sponge down, before drying and resembling it.
Top tip: You can also use a small, soft-bristled brush (like a toothbrush) to really get into the dashboard as much as possible, including the fans and buttons.
Wipe the door panels
The door panels are likely to be a mix of vinyl and leather or fabric. So, take a damp microfibre cloth and give them a thorough wipe down to make them shine. Try to get into all the small crevices to eliminate dust and focus on the dirtiest areas like the door handle.
Disinfect the steering wheel
Steering wheels can harbour dirt and bacteria if they’re not cleaned regularly. Most steering wheels have a plastic outer so are easy to clean with a gentle disinfectant wipe or a small amount of disinfectant spray to get rid of germs. However, some steering wheels are made out of wood or leather, so always check the manual to see how to clean your steering wheel at home.
Wipe down windows and mirrors
Wondering how to clean the inside windshield and mirrors? Take a clean, soft microfibre cloth and give the inside of your windows a thorough wipe down. Start at the top and work your way down so you can catch any drips and avoid leaving any streaks.
If you feel that you need something stronger, apply some specialist window cleaner and follow the instructions on the bottle to make your windows and mirrors shine like new.
How to clean car seats
Your car seats go through a lot; they can accumulate dirt, stains, sweat and grease over time, so it’s important to give them a proper clean every now and again. If your seats aren’t too bad, you may just want to spot-clean them to freshen them up – however, if they are very grubby with stains and even mould, they’ll likely benefit from an all-over wash.
Here’s how to clean car seats at home:
1. Start by using a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any debris on the front and back seats, as well as the car boot if needed. For stubborn pet hair, you may want to use a hard-bristled brush or a rubber glove to lift the hair before hoovering it away.
2. To clean car seat stains, make the area damp with a wet cloth and spray your chosen cleaner onto the area, before leaving it to work for a few minutes. For an all-over wash, simply do this on a larger scale, being careful not to make the seats too wet as they will take longer to dry.
3. Take a clean microfibre cloth and gently rub the area to lift the stain and dry the seat. Blotting works best here as rubbing too vigorously can leave marks or pill fabric.
4. Finally, leave your car seats to air dry. To speed up this process, leave the car doors open for a while if you can and if it’s safe to do so.
Top tip: Regardless of what car seat cleaner you are using, always read the label.
How to clean leather car seats
Take a clean cloth and gently work leather cleaner or mild soap into leather seats in small, circular motions. Then, buff the area dry with a dry microfibre cloth. Don’t forget to finish by applying a leather protectant or conditioner to safeguard against future stains and restore the shine and suppleness of your car seats.
How to clean fabric car seats
If your car has fabric or upholstered seats, you can use a specialist car seat fabric cleaner or simply mix a gentle solution of warm water and washing detergent together. Dab the stains with the solution, then blot them away with a clean damp cloth. For stubborn stains, you may want to work into them a bit further using a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush. Let the seats air dry.
How to clean mould off car seats
Mould made an appearance? Don’t panic if you’re unsure how to get mould off your car seats. With a little elbow grease and some time, you can get your car seats looking and smelling as good as new.
Mould is most often caused by excess moisture from leaving your windows open in the rain or having a leak. So, check your car to try and identify what caused it in the first place.
Before you start, make sure that you are wearing protective gear - like gloves, goggles and a face mask - mould may not look dangerous, but it can be harmful to your health.
1. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar or diluted bleach. We recommend spot testing your chosen solution on a small, discrete area first, to ensure that it doesn’t damage the seats or cause discolouration. Once you’re happy with the solution, generously spray it onto the area and let it soak for ten to twenty minutes.
2. If you have fabric car seats, use a soft to medium-bristled brush to work into the area further to get the mould out. If you have leather or vinyl seats, simply spray the solution on, wait, then wipe it away with a cloth.
3. Next, disinfect the area by spraying on your chosen disinfectant. This will kill what mould is left and help to prevent against future outbreaks.
4. Finally, leave the area to air dry. Perhaps park in the sun and open the doors and windows to get a through draught if you can. Remember to dispose of any leftover materials and wash your clothes afterwards too.
If you can still smell mould, it’s likely that you’ve missed some, so you may need to repeat this process or take your car to a professional garage to get it checked.
We hope our guide has helped to show you how to clean the inside of your car like a pro. If you notice anything wrong while cleaning your car, it’s best to get it looked at by a professional. Eurorepar’s network of garages offers great services at competitive prices, so book an MOT or car service with a qualified technician today.
