Interior Catastrophe? Yes, shiny paints are what brings the stares and the winks, but where do YOU spend most of your time? That’s right!, on the inside. With all those nooks and crannys to get to, it can be a real hassle to get the interior of your car clean. Here are some simple steps to help you on your interior detail
Seats and Carpet:
- Remove the floor mats from the car. Shake them to remove any dirt/debris sticking to them. You may use a broom to sweep the floor mat to get any deep dirt/sand that may be trapped by the carpet.
- Using the hose attachment of a shop vacuum, start with the top of the seat and work your way to the floorboard, vacuum all seat cushions, paying special attention to the crevices where cushions meet. Be sure to vacuum the bottom and back of the seats. But don't forget to get under the seat!
Make sure to check beneath seats for coins and trash before vacuuming as they could harm the filter in the vacuum.
- Proceed to vacuum the floor mats. When finished, you may want to give the mats a final shake to remove any remaining debris, then return them to the car.
- If any fabric seat cushions or carpets are stained, use a damp towel to apply a small amount of carpet shampoo to the stain. Work the carpet shampoo into a light lather.
- Sponge away the shampoo with a damp sponge and allow to air dry.
Don't use carpet shampoo on leather.
Widows and mirrors:
CAUTION: Windex and other window cleaners that contain ammonia with damage/remove window tint!
1 Clean all the windows using a window cleaner and a microfiber towel (preferably a waffle weave glass towel) which will aid in cleaning the grit/ash/dirt from the windows.
Dashboard and Console:
- With your vacuum, use the brush attachment to go through the crevices of the cup holders, buttons, switches, and storage compartments and remove any dirt, small rocks, sand, and anything else the vac can pick up.(remember the little things are what can make the cars interior look dingy)
- Use a microfiber towel and any type of Orange Cleaner to wipe the cup holders and storage places to get rid of anything sticky or dusty the vacuum wasn't able to remove. (or paper towel if you so wish)
- Spray a small amount of car-interior or vinyl protectant on a towel or rag. With the moistened rag, gently wipe the dashboard, door handles and all vinyl parts. Be sure to spread the protectant evenly to keep from some spots losing color from the sun.
Some Tips & Warnings:
Be cautious while brooming the floor mat to keep from damaging it. Vacuum the seats first, then the floorboards. You may also find that a q-tip and small paint brush can be used to get that stubborn hard to reach dirt out of small corners and crevices. Car interior and vinyl products are made with varying levels of UV absorbers to protect against sun damage and cracking. Carefully read the instructions before use.