It feels exciting when you find a car you love like a new Volkswagen for sale with all the features and specifications you want. Once you purchase it, you want to keep it as clean as possible for as long as you can so you can continue to take pride in your investment.
Cars have a lot of nooks and crannies in them, though, which can make it difficult to keep them as clean as you’d like. Understanding the best methods for cleaning the interior of your car can help you maintain that new car vibe.
Gather Your Supplies
To begin cleaning the interior of your car, the first thing you’ll need to do is gather your supplies. At a minimum, you’ll need:
· Garbage bag
· Microfiber cloths
· Spray bottle with car-safe cleaner
Depending on how deep you want to go into your cleaning, you may also need sponges, an old toothbrush, and a flathead screwdriver to get into all the little crevices. Along with that, you’ll also need a leather or upholstery cleaner for your vehicle’s interior.
De-Clutter Your Car
A good rule of thumb is to start with the most basic task, which is removing everything from your car. Gather trash and put it into a garbage bag. Remember to check under the seats, in the door pockets, and in crevices where the kids may have stashed snack wrappers.
Then, remove any toys, car seats, or other items to make it easier to access and clean the other parts of your car.
Focus on the Carpet and Seats
After you remove everything from the car, it’s time to focus on the carpet and seats. Use a vacuum cloth upholstery attachment to do this. The short, stiff bristles can bring dirt to the surface and make it easier for you to remove it. With a flathead screwdriver, you can remove any other bits of dirt on the seats that the bristles don’t get.
Then, work with a steam cleaner to remove stains from the floor mats and seats. You can also use mild soap and a bit of water. Be sure to avoid soaking the seats because doing so can cause a musty smell and may even encourage mold growth.
Disinfect the Dashboard and Doors
While it’s ok to vacuum your dashboard, the bristles may be too large to get smaller dust and particles. Grab a microfiber cloth and a car-safe cleanser to clean your dash, steering wheel, and the interior of your doors.
Avoid using harsh cloths that can scratch and leave marks on your vents, displays, and other parts of your car. You can also use disinfecting wipes to remove and kill germs. To prevent the spread of illness, you can keep some wipes in your car to clean these surfaces regularly.
Clean the Interior Windows
Finally, don’t forget to wash the windows when you’re cleaning your car, especially if you have little hands in the car that like to leave fingerprints. Ammonia-free commercial-grade window cleaners and microfiber cloths work best.
Start at the top and work your way down to ensure you catch any drips that could cause streaking as you clean.
Deep Clean Your Car Today
A clean car makes for a happy driver, so be sure to complete these tasks at least once a month. Doing so will ensure your new car continues looking good, smelling good, and feeling good for a much longer time. Start deep cleaning your car today!
