Mar 17, 2020

 

When it comes time to clean the interior of your car, what do you think about? What do you use? Why does it matter? Cleaning the inside of your car is easy, right? Wipe it down and vacuum it out, and you are done. Well, not exactly. Most people do not realize how dirty the interior of their vehicle can get. Maintaining the interior of your vehicle is not only important to your health but your vehicle’s as well. Here are five tips to help you keep it clean. 

Use Multiple Cleaners

This might seem obvious but your car needs more than just one cleaner. Sure, wiping everything down with a CloroxⓇ wipe is better than nothing, but there can be many different surfaces in your car that react better to different chemicals. For example, using a disinfectant wipe on leather surfaces can cause the leather to lose its natural oils making it dry and brittle. For fabrics, you will want to get an upholstery cleaner or even make your own with dish detergent, baking soda, or vinegar. Choose the best cleaner for the material you need clean. 

Your Steering Wheel is Gross…

And so are a lot of other things. When thinking about the dirtiest surfaces in the car most people assume it is the steering wheel, and it is one of them, but it is not the worst. According to one study, the radio knob is the dirtiest followed by the seat belt and window controls. It is still important to clean your steering wheel and dashboard, but consider the smaller places where bacteria can hide and get in there to clean it. 

Top To Bottom

Gravity is a thing. Start wiping from the top and work your way down. You do not want to clean the same area twice because you made a mess cleaning another area. Also, make sure to vacuum and dust before using liquid cleaners. Particles can get whirled around landing them on a surface you wiped down with cleaner completely undoing the work you just did. 

Don’t Forget the Floor Mats

It is important to remove floor mats when cleaning the inside of your vehicle. Floor mats are great at protecting your vehicle’s floor from dirt, wear, and other corrosive elements. That means it is important to take them out and clean them separately, or replace them entirely. It is also a good idea to vacuum the floor underneath the mat if there is a chance any particles of dirt or food pieces got below the mat. 

Stay Organized

Keeping a clean car clean is easier than cleaning a dirty one. Staying organized is a big help in doing that. When something seems out of place, we notice. Trash is often the biggest culprit leading to a dirty car, especially food trash. This type of mess can lead to mold and bacteria growth. Having your vehicle organized will help you recognize that trash is out of place and does not belong.