How to clean your car interior

Need your car detailed but trying to save a few dollars? Check out this DIY guide to get every nook and cranny of your car's interior showroom fresh.

What you’ll need to clean your car’s interior

Before you start, keep in mind you may need to get products specifically designed for your car's deep cleaning. That’s because many everyday household cleaning products may include harsh chemicals that can damage your vehicle's surfaces over time.

Also, a dry/wet vacuum cleaner is a great advantage when cleaning upholstered seats, but it's not essential.

Cleaning products

• Quality all-purpose interior cleaner – ensure it is pH neutral balanced
• Fabric cleaner - with no solvents or alcohol
• Glass cleaner - with no ammonia
• Leather care treatment – for nourishing leather
• Leather protectant – to provide a protective coating to the leather surface
• Deodoriser spray – look for ones that ‘encapsulate’ odours

Equipment

• Rinsing bucket
• Horsehair brush - for scrubbing car mats
• Vacuum cleaner - wet/dry to remove dirt from wet areas and handheld for convenience
• Extension lead – if not using a handheld vacuum cleaner
• Vacuum cleaner attachments – to remove dirt from crevices
• Applicator pads
• Small detailing brush for dust removal – a small paint brush is enough
• Microfiber towels – these can be re-washed. Purchase in volume from auto-supply retailers
• Plush towels – deeper plush pile 

Download your equipment checklist

How to detail your car interior

1. Interior mat cleaning and deep dirt removal

First things first, clean all the rubbish and remove any debris you have in the car. Think toys, jackets, the cups in the cupholder, and anything else you might have in the boot.

Then, pull the mats out of the car. Give them a quick little dust-off to remove all the heavier elements before giving them a good vacuum.

If you have rubber mats, use a hose to get rid of any excess dirt. Mix dishwashing soap and warm water in a bucket for a deeper clean and use the horsehair brush to give the mats a good scrub. Rinse them thoroughly and leave them out to dry. 

For carpeted mats, give them a good vacuum. Use a crevice tool and run your vacuum back and forth in one direction for better results.

For a deeper clean, spray your fabric and upholstery cleaner into a good horsehair brush on the mats' dirtier areas. Then, rub it in on a side-to-side motion to release all the dirt your shoes have put into the mat. 

While it’s wet, use the wet/dry vacuum cleaner to suck it all up. If you don't have one, use a damp cloth instead. Leave your mats out to air dry.

2. Vacuum and dust removal

With the crevice tool fitted to your vacuum, run it through your car's interior. Get in and around the seats. Don't forget to give the boot some love.

You can use a round detailing brush to get to the intricate parts you can't get your vacuum into. Use it to pull out all of the dirt and dust, and suck it right up into the vacuum. The round brush is also helpful to dust around vents and the likes.

Then, you can use a plush towel to finish wiping the dust off the inside of your car.

3. Interior deep surface clean

After completing the dust wipe-down, it's time to tackle any remaining marks on your car's interior. For this, using a pH-balanced, all-purpose cleaner is best.

Complete your car’s surface clean in three steps:

• Apply the cleaner to an applicator, not directly on the surface.
• Gently wipe the area back and forth.
• Wipe off the cleaner with a microfiber cloth, turning it to the clean side as needed. Removing the cleaner while it's still wet is crucial to ensure all marks are lifted.

Use a bucket of water to clean the pad's dirt buildup. Rinse it and wring it out until it's damp before using it again.

4. Add some shine to your car interior

After the deep clean, the interior might look stark and lack protection. You can use a vinyl cleaner for all the dash and trim components to address this. Choose a water-based, silicone-free formula to avoid fish-eyeing (those little bubbles that look like water drops onto a surface) and to leave a beautiful finish.

For better results, spray the product on a microfiber cloth instead of directly on the car's surface. While the product is still wet, gently buff it off side-to-side. This ensures an even finish, rejuvenates the look, and provides UV protection.

Vinyl cleaners enhance the appearance while protecting the dash and trim from UV damage, keeping your car's interior looking great for longer.

5. Time to clean the seats

Start by vacuuming your seats to pick up crumbs and dirt. Again, the crevice attachment is your best friend for the task.

If you have leather seats, grab some leather cleaner. Wipe down the seats, following the product instructions. Finish up with a leather conditioner to keep the leather soft, shiny and smelling great.

If you have cloth or microsuede seats, the first step is to check for stains. Apply a stain remover as directed and rinse it off. You can use a damp cloth for the job but don't soak the seats. If you have a wet/dry vacuum, run it over the wet patches to dry them quickly. Otherwise, blot the seats with a dry towel and let them air dry completely to avoid mould.

Remember to always use water-based products. Solvent or alcohol-based cleaners can damage your seats.

6. Clean the seatbelts

Another important part that many people forget to clean is the seatbelts. And it's very simple to clean it.

• Spray water-based fabric cleaner into a towel
• Pull your belt out
• Wipe it back and forth

This will give it a nice clean without damaging any of the fibres in the belt.

7. Glass cleaning

To complete the interior cleaning, wipe the windows and windshield. Apply glass cleaner into a soft towel, not directly on the glass. Use an ammonia-free glass cleaner.

Wipe the glass with left-right, up-down motion to clean the glass. Fold the towel to a dry side for a perfect finish. Use a separate towel to clean any overspray on the plastic trims.

This technique ensures that your glass and shiny trims are spotless, leaving your car's interior immaculate.

8. Deodorise

To finish detailing an interior, get your favourite deodoriser and spray a couple of sprays into the carpet, leaving that beautiful, fresh smell.

How often you should clean the inside of your car

Your lifestyle will influence the frequency of your car interior cleaning. If you drive kids or pets often, you'll probably need to clean it more often. 

As a rule of thumb, aim for a deep clean twice a year. Once in spring, to clear out winter grime.

Then again, at the end of summer, to get rid of beach sand and sunscreen and leave your car ready for the colder weather – when it's also harder to dry seats and mats, for example.

However, some areas may need more frequent attention.

• Don’t let your windows and windshield build up dirt. Clean them monthly or as needed.
• Disinfect high touchpoints often – at your discretion, but once a week or every three days could be a good start.
• And don’t forget to tackle spills right away!

And while a clean car interior can help keep things running smoothly, having the right car insurance is important too. 

Explore Suncorp Car Insurance

Read more:

• Your essential car maintenance guide
• How to make a claim after a minor accident
• Glossary of car terminology

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as Suncorp Insurance. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.