The fresh, clean scent of a new car is undeniably satisfying. Unfortunately, over time, this fades, replaced by everyday odors from food, spills, pets, and general wear. No matter how much you vacuum or wipe down surfaces, your car just doesn’t feel as fresh as it once did. That’s where auto interior detailing comes in.
Auto interior detailing goes beyond a regular car wash. It involves using specialized products to thoroughly clean, sanitize, and condition various surfaces, including seats, carpets, dashboards, door panels, and even air vents. The goal is to remove dirt, dust, and grime while restoring your vehicle’s interior to a like-new condition, improving both aesthetics and comfort.
Professional car detailing services can be expensive, but doing it yourself can save money and even become an enjoyable hobby. If you’re unsure where to start, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the basics, including essential products and how to use them effectively.
Get the Right Products
The best cleaning products for your car are those specifically designed for automotive surfaces. Household cleaners may contain harsh chemicals that can damage your car’s interior over time. Auto interior detailing products, however, are formulated to clean without harming delicate materials like clear coats, plastics, rubber, and glass.
Degreaser or all-purpose cleaner: A versatile product that you can use to clean plastics, vinyl, rubber, fabric, and even carpets. It removes stains, spills, and built-up grime without damaging surfaces.
Interior dressing: Helps maintain and protect your car’s interior surfaces after cleaning.
Leather cleaner: Helps lift dirt without damaging or drying out the material.
Leather conditioner: Essential for maintaining your car’s leather interior after cleaning.
Leather protectant: Adds a barrier against UV rays, spills, and wear, keeping your car’s leather interior looking fresh, supple, and resistant to fading, cracking, and stains.
Spot stain remover: Helps clean tough stains from upholstery, carpets, and seats, preventing permanent discoloration.
Carpet and upholstery cleaner: Deep cleans fabric surfaces, removing dirt, stains, and odors.
Odor-eliminating spray: Neutralises stubborn smells, leaving your car’s interior fresh, clean, and inviting without masking odors with artificial fragrances.
Glass cleaner: Ensures your car’s windows and mirrors are streak-free, crystal clear, and safe for a spotless view.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Proper preparation makes cleaning more effective. Before starting, park your car in a shaded area and ensure all interior surfaces are cool. Hot surfaces can affect cleaning chemicals and potentially damage materials.
Use a small or handheld vacuum to remove loose dirt and debris from all nooks and crannies, preventing particles from being pushed deeper into the interior during cleaning.
Remove the Floor Mats
Once you've taken the floor mats out, thoroughly saturate them with the degree or all-purpose cleaner. Depending on how dirty your mats are, you can use a stiff-bristle scrub brush to agitate the mat surfaces. Rinse them thoroughly and allow them to air dry while you clean the other parts.
Clean the Hard Plastic Surfaces
Hard plastic surfaces can include the center console, the air vents, the dashboard, inside door panels, cupholders, seat backs, the steering wheel, etc. Begin by dusting these parts, and then use a cleaning product that is compatible with the material to clean all of them. Some car interior products can be sprayed directly into the material while others need to be applied on a cloth or sponge. Apply the cleaner on the entire surface and then use a clean microfibre towel to wipe it down.
Once all the plastic surfaces are clean, it'll be time to protect them with an automotive dressing. Read the instructions on the product to find out if the product needs to be diluted and the best way to apply it. Generally, it's not recommended to use automotive dressing on the pedals or steering wheel as it can create a slick surface.
Clean the Leather Surfaces
The leather surfaces within your car also need to be clean. The leather used in cars can include vinyl, coated, and aniline. Which leather cleaning solution you choose will depend on the type of leather used in your vehicle. Look for a penetrating formula that cleans down to the pore level and restores the surface to its like-new appearance.
When it comes to condition and protection, vinyl surfaces usually don't require conditioning. Leather, on the other hand, tends to lose moisture over time, resulting in dryness and cracking. So, if you have leather surfaces in your car, consider conditioning it each time it's cleaned to restore and preserve its texture.
Remove Stubborn Stains
It can be quite time-consuming to remove stains from carpets and upholstery. A spot removal cleaning will make this type of cleaning more effective. Look for a spot cleaner that is suitable for the fabrics in your vehicle, and follow all application and safety recommendations.
Some stains may require agitation with a soft-bristled brush. If so, use a moderate circular motion to get rid of the stain. Repeat as needed until the stain is removed. After you've removed the stain, swab the area with a clean, moist towel and let it dry.
Clean the Windows and Mirrors
Roll the windows entirely up and open the doors to make it easy to reach all areas of the glass. Apply a light, even layer of glass cleaner to one side of the window and with a clean microfibre towel, wipe away the cleaner in an upward and downward motion. Do the same to the other side but use a side-to-side motion instead. Wiping the glass in opposite directions on either side allows you to see any streaks and find out which side they are on.
Deodorize the Interior
Not all vehicle fabric cleaning products contain odor-eliminating chemicals. To remove residual odors, apply an air freshener or deodorizer that is designed to eliminate undesirable smells from your vehicle.
(0) comments
We welcome your comments
Log In
Post a comment as Guest
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.