Welcome to the wonderful world of a car interior refresh. This is your ultimate guide on deep cleaning your car's interior. Whether you’re a first-timer or have tackled a few clean-ups before, this step-by-step guide has got you covered.
We’re diving deep—so grab your supplies and prepare to tackle everything from leather to those pesky crumbs hiding in the floor mats. Let’s get to work and make your ride feel like new again!
Prepare Your Gear
First things first—round up your car cleaning supplies. Trust me, having everything at your fingertips makes this whole process way less of a hassle. You don't want to be hunting for your tools halfway through and cursing under your breath.
- Car Vacuum Cleaner
You’ll need this to suck up all that loose dirt and debris. Just be careful around leather surfaces—no one wants to leave their seats looking scuffed. - Microfiber Towels
These are your go-to for wiping down surfaces. Soft and scratch-free, they won’t ruin your delicate leather or plastic. - Detail Brush Set
Grab a set of brushes to scrub out the grime from mats and other nooks. They come in various sizes, so you can get into those tight spots without breaking a sweat. - Nonsense All-Purpose Cleaner
This is the magic potion you want. It's a water-based cleaner that works on vinyl, rubber, and plastic. Plus, it’s clear and odorless, leaving no residue behind—perfect for dashboards and consoles. - Boar's Hair Detailing Brush
This soft-bristled wonder is perfect for cleaning small crevices and textured surfaces, like dashboards and door panels. Say goodbye to dust bunnies! - Natural Shine Dressing
A water-based dressing that conditions and protects vinyl, rubber, and plastic. It gives a non-glossy, natural look that won’t blind you when you get in.
or
VRP Dressing (For glossy finish)
If you prefer a little shine, this dressing adds a glossy finish while protecting your surfaces. It’s like a little spa day for your vinyl, rubber, and plastic. - Fabric Clean
This cleaner tackles stains, odors, and grime from your carpeted floor mats and upholstered seats. It deodorizes and revitalizes fabric surfaces, making your ride feel fresher. - Nifty Interior Detailing Brush
Use this brush to scrub fabric surfaces after applying your cleaner. It helps agitate dirt for easier removal, turning that mess into less. - Air Freshener
Finish off with a few spritzes of air freshener for a lasting scent. Bonus points if you circulate it through the car’s air conditioning system—hello, pleasant surprise!
OPTONAL/RECOMMENDED
- Gloves
These are your best friends. Keep them on to protect your hands from whatever grime you might encounter. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later. - Compressed Air or Blow-Out Tool
This handy gadget helps blow out dirt from those impossible-to-reach spots before you vacuum. Perfect for dust bunnies hiding in tight spaces. - Mat ReNew Floor Mat Cleaner (For rubber or vinyl mats)
A dedicated cleaner for your rubber and vinyl mats to restore their original look. It even has a built-in protectant—talk about a two-for-one deal. - Leather Cleaner (For leather interiors)
This specialized cleaner zaps embedded dirt without harming your leather. Pair it with a horsehair brush for deep cleaning that makes your seats look brand new. - Leather Conditioner (For leather interiors)
Nourish and protect your leather with this product. It leaves the material soft and supple while helping to prevent cracking—who doesn’t want that? - Horsehair Detailing Brush
This brush works wonders when paired with your leather cleaner. Give your seats the treatment they deserve. - Professional Rubber Pet Hair Removal Brush
Got furry friends? This brush makes pet hair removal a breeze, saving you time and frustration. Less mess, more chill.
Step 1: Remove Belongings from the Car Interior
Alright, before we even think about cleaning, it’s time to declutter. Start by saying goodbye to all the trash lurking in your ride. Seriously, take a good look around—what’s been hiding in there?
Next, grab a bag—a grocery bag or whatever you’ve got lying around will do the trick. Toss in any random items that have decided to take up residence in your car. Trust me, there’s nothing more annoying than trying to clean a cup holder and discovering a treasure trove of loose change or crumpled receipts.
With all that junk out of the way, you’ve got yourself a clear workspace. Now we can get down to business.
Step 2: Remove and Clean the Car Floormats
Sure, most people save the floormats for last but let’s flip the script and tackle them first. Cleaning them early gives them time to dry while you work on the rest of the interior. That way, everything can go back in without a hitch.
So, give those mats a solid scrub and set them aside to dry.
Pro Tip: When lifting those mats out, channel your inner ninja and keep all the debris on the mat. No one wants to spill dirt back into the car—let’s avoid doubling our workload.
Now, depending on what kind of mats you’ve got, there are different cleaning methods to use:
Rubber/Vinyl Floor Mats
- Pre-Rinse
Start by giving those car mats a good pre-rinse to wash away loose debris. Think of it as a warm-up before the main event. - Spray It Down
Next, unleash the Mat ReNew. Spray it directly onto the floor mat and onto your detailing brush. We’re about to get serious about grime removal. - Scrub The Car Mat
Grab that brush and go to town! Scrub the mat thoroughly to banish grime, dirt, and any pesky liquid stains. It’s time to show those mats who’s boss. - Rinse Again
Once you’ve scrubbed to your heart’s content, rinse off the mat to wash away the product and all that lovely grime you just lifted. - Dry Time
Wipe down the mat with a microfiber towel to soak up the bulk of the moisture. For top-notch results, use a ProBlow Handheld Dryer to get every last drop, or simply let the mats air dry. Either way, you’ll have mats that look fresh and ready to rock.
Read More: How to Clean and Protect Rubber Floor Mats
Carpet Floor Mats
- Remove Pet Hair
(If applicable): Got pet hair? Grab your Professional Rubber Pet Hair Removal Brush and let’s get to work. Simply scrape it left to right, gathering all that fur into a tidy little ball. Easy peasy!
- Mist with Fabric Clean
Next, mist a light coat of Fabric Clean onto those mats. Not only does this stuff clean, but it also neutralizes odors and gives your mats a pleasant scent. Who doesn’t love a fresh-smelling ride? - Get Scrubbing
Time to whip out the Nifty Brush! Scrub the carpet by moving the brush up and down, agitating the fibers to lift dirt and grime. It’s like a mini workout for your mats! - Wipe Down
Finally, take a yellow workhorse microfiber towel, and wipe the surface in an up-and-down motion. This will pick up any remaining cleaner and dirt, leaving you with mats that are not just clean, but practically gleaming. Now that’s a job well done!
Step 3: Pre-Vacuum the Car Interior
Now that you’ve cleared the clutter and dealt with those mats, it’s time to grab your car vacuum. We’re about to suck up all that loose dirt, crumbs, and debris hanging out on the carpets and seats like they own the place.
Start with the big, obvious dirt, then work your way into those sneaky little spots. Don’t forget to vacuum between the seats, under the pedals, and in all the crevices—you’ll be amazed at what hides in those nooks. And for goodness’ sake, don’t ignore the seats—they deserve some attention too.
When you’re working with leather, extra care is crucial to avoid any damage.
Pro Tip: Hover the vacuum slightly above the surface without actually touching the leather. This way, you won’t accidentally scuff or mark it. Your leather will thank you!
And don’t stress if your first vacuum isn’t perfect. This pass is just to get rid of the bulk of the dirt. You can always do a second run at the end to catch any dust or debris that decided to settle in while you were busy cleaning.
Step 4: Refresh the Hard Plastics and Trim Interior
Let’s talk about the hard plastics and trim in your car—those high-traffic areas that are constantly bombarded by dirt, dust, and grime. You know, the usual suspects: your dashboard, steering wheel, controls, door panels, center console, and cup holders.
Now, let’s roll up our sleeves and give them the attention they deserve.
Initial Wipe with Nonsense and a Microfiber Towel
Give your car’s surfaces a good once-over with Nonsense All Purpose Cleaner and a trusty microfiber towel—it's like a quick dusting before the real deep clean.
- Spray Nonsense right on the towel (no need to spray your whole dashboard like it’s a salad).
- Wipe down those dusty surfaces. The towel will scoop up loose dirt and dust, giving everything a cleaner vibe already.
This step’s perfect for a quick refresh, but for the grime that's dug in around buttons or textured spots, hang tight—we’re about to get serious with the deep clean.
Use a Boar’s Hair Brush for Deep Cleaning
Time to level up your cleaning game! Once you've banished that top layer of dust and dirt, it’s time to tackle the stubborn stuff. Enter the Boar’s Hair Detailing Brush—soft, flexible, and a Jedi at getting into those tricky crevices without scratching a thing. This little guy shines on textured plastics and all the finicky spots like steering wheel grooves or around buttons that always seem to hoard the gunk.
- Give your brush a light spritz of Nonsense to keep that cleaner focused where it counts.
- Now, go to work! Use gentle circular motions to scrub away the grime. Think door handles, cup holders, and those annoying console edges that love to collect dirt like it’s a hobby.
- Wipe everything down with a microfiber towel and watch those hard plastics and trim pieces come back to life. Rinse, repeat, and you're golden.
Step 5: Clean and Condition Leather Interior
Leather surfaces bring that luxury vibe to any ride, but over time, they can start to look more 'meh' than magnificent thanks to dirt, grime, and body oils. Ready to bring them back to their former glory? Here’s how to revive that leather swagger:
Cleaning the Leather
For a quick spruce-up, grab a sprayable leather cleaner or leather quick detailer, and you’re golden. But when your leather’s seen better days and is sporting some serious grime, it’s time to bring out the big guns—a dedicated leather cleaner and trusty horsehair brush.
- For lighter dirt: Spray the cleaner on a microfiber towel (or go direct on the leather) and wipe it down. Easy peasy.
- For the stubborn stuff: Spray the cleaner on both the brush and the leather, then work that brush in circular motions like you're giving it a mini massage. Hit all the angles to dig into those textured spots.
- After you’ve agitated all that dirt loose, grab a microfiber towel to buff away the leftover cleaner. Once you’re done, your leather will feel less slick—because you’ve just cleared off all that grime, oils, and old conditioners—leaving you with a fresh, clean slate for whatever comes next.
- After brushing, grab your microfiber towel and buff away any leftover cleaner like a pro.
Once you’re done, the leather will feel a bit less slick—that’s because you’ve wiped away all the dirt, oils, and old conditioners. Now you’ve got a fresh, clean canvas ready for the next step.
Condition the Leather
To bring back that luxurious softness and slick feel, it’s time to apply some leather conditioner. Just make sure your leather is completely dry first—any leftover cleaner can mess with the conditioner, preventing it from bonding properly.
- Start with a couple of dabs of conditioner on your applicator.
- Blot the conditioner onto the surface and gently work it in. This step is key to rejuvenating the leather and restoring its natural softness and sheen.
- Once you’ve applied the conditioner, use a microfiber towel to buff away any excess. You want the surface to feel dry to the touch and super smooth. Voilà! Your leather is back in action.
Step 6: Clean the Fabric Interior
Cleaning fabric carpets or seats is a breeze, and it’s just like tackling those carpet floor mats:
- Get Rid of Pet Hair (If you’ve got furry friends): Grab a Professional Rubber Pet Hair Removal Brush and simply scrape it left to right. Watch as the hair gathers into a neat little ball that’s easy to toss away.
- Mist It Up! Give the mats a light spray of Fabric Clean. This magical mist not only neutralizes odors but also revives those mats like they just had a spa day.
- Brush It Out: With your Nifty Brush in hand, scrub the carpet by moving the brush up and down. Get in there and agitate those fibers to lift out dirt and grime.
- Wipe It Down: Take a yellow workhorse microfiber towel and wipe the surface in an up-and-down motion. This will scoop up any leftover cleaner and dirt, leaving your fabric fresh and clean. Easy peasy!
Step 7: Last Vacuum and Final Touches
- Final Vacuum: Give the floors and seats one last pass with the car vacuum. Hit those spots where sneaky dust and dirt might’ve settled during your deep clean.
- Replace the Floor Mats: Once they’re dry and looking fresh, pop those clean mats back where they belong. Instant glow-up.
- Reorganize Items: Put your stuff back, but this time, like you actually care. Neat and tidy for the win.
- Spot Check: Time for the eagle-eye inspection—hunt down any smudges, stray crumbs, or missed spots for that final wipe-down perfection.
Step 8: Deodorize and Freshen the Interior
Finish strong by making sure your car interior smells as good as it looks!
Air Freshener: Grab your favorite scent and hit the front floor mats with 2-3 spritzes of fresh goodness.
Circulate the Scent: Fire up the AC and switch on the air recirculation mode. This helps pull that fresh scent into the system, zapping any leftover stink and spreading the fragrance everywhere.
Now your car's not just sparkling clean, but it smells incredible too—like you’ve never eaten fries in there.
Frequent Questions About Cleaning Car Interiors
How often should I clean the interior of my car?
Ideally, you should clean the interior of your car before it starts looking like a crime scene or a fast-food graveyard. If you’re eating, living, and losing random things in your car, a monthly deep clean wouldn’t hurt. But if you’re more the "I’ll get to it eventually" type, at least give it a good tidy-up every couple of months—because no one wants to sit in your snack crumbs or dodge mystery odors!
Can I use household cleaners for my car’s interior?
Sure, you could raid your kitchen for cleaners, but your car deserves better. Stick to products made for cars—they’re specially designed to protect delicate stuff like leather, plastics, and fabrics, so you don’t accidentally wreck your ride.
How can I prevent my car’s leather seats from cracking?
Keep your leather seats from turning into a cracked desert by cleaning and conditioning them regularly. Leather conditioner is the secret sauce—keeps them soft, supple, and safe from the brutal combo of heat and sunlight that loves to dry them out.
Can I use a car vacuum directly on leather seats?
Yep, but don't go jamming the vacuum into the leather like it's a wrestling match. Keep it hovering just above the surface to avoid any damage. And if you've got a soft brush attachment, use it! It'll keep things scratch-free and your leather looking fresh.
How do I get rid of bad odors inside the car?
To kick those bad car odors to the curb, start by finding the culprit—whether it's that old gym bag, spilled coffee, or that funky fast-food wrapper wedged between the seats. After you’ve cleared out the offenders, vacuum like a pro, especially those sneaky areas under the seats. Next, hit up the upholstery and carpets with a cleaner that eliminates odors, not just masks them.
How long does it take to complete a deep clean of a car interior?
A solid deep clean of your car’s interior usually takes anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on how messy things have gotten. If you're dealing with crumbs, dog hair, and mystery stains, plan for the full three hours. For a quicker, maintenance-level deep clean, you can probably knock it out in about 90 minutes—just enough time to make everything shine without skipping the important spots.
