After your car comes out of winter hibernation, it is likely due for some TLC. Spring is a great time to deep clean your car, but you may be wondering where to start. In this article, we break down 10 tips for deep cleaning your car so it’s ready to go.
1. Clean surfaces
A great way to start deep cleaning your car is to clean all the surfaces. Pick up a multi-purpose product, such as this one from Amazon, to get started. However, be aware that products designed for suede or vinyl seats on leather will cause the material to crack, age, and fade prematurely. If you have these types of seats in your car, we recommend a leather upholstery conditioner or cleaner, such as this one from the brand Meguiar.
2. Vacuum
Next up, remove all of the carpets in your car and start vacuuming. Make sure any empty cans, bottles, food wrappers, and bags have been removed before you start. Just as you would inside your home, make sure the vacuum picks up any pieces of dirt lying around. Additionally, a can of compressed air will help blow out any dust that needs to be cleaned.
3. Clean the air vents
Bacteria and germs have an easier time travelling when your air vents are dirty. Dirty air vents can also emit a bad odour that will make it uncomfortable to sit in your car. One option you can use to clean the air vents is air cleaner spray. But be cautious, as the chemicals can leave strong odours. Another option is to use a steam cleaner directly on the air vents to properly deep clean your car.
4. Clean the carpets
A dirty carpet can hold mildew and mould, so it’s very important to keep your car’s carpets dry and clean. Before you clean them, it’s important to remove them entirely from the interior of your car. We recommend using steam, and waiting until they are completely dry for you to put them back in your car.
5. Clean highly-touched areas
Areas, such as your steering wheel, console, and dashboard, are used every time you drive, so it’s important to keep them clean. Thankfully, it’s very easy to deep clean these highly-touched areas. Simply use a multi-purpose interior cleaner or a dashboard cleaner with a soft bristled toothbrush to remove dust and keep them clean.
6. Clean your windows and windshield
Staying safe is a number one priority on the road, and having a clean windshield and windows will help keep you safe. There are a few different ways you can clean them both. You can use steam for a streak-free finish, or a top-notch glass cleaning product.
7. Remove bad odours
Even if you have an air freshener in your car, that’s usually a band-aid solution for bad odours. Mould, dirty air vents, and mildew can all create awful smells that last. It’s important to address these odours as they affect you and your passenger’s health long-term. Using any of the tips we mentioned about removing mildew and mould, along with deep cleaning your dirty air vents, will typically help remove any bad odours from your car.
8. Clean your car frequently
Even if it’s a simple spill or food stain, we recommend cleaning as you go when it comes to your car. Regularly maintaining cleanliness will help keep your car prestine and prevent any bacteria or germs from spreading. Even though it’s easier to put off cleaning, we recommend staying on top of it as best as you can.
9. Sanitize the interior of your car
As we mentioned, it’s very important to keep the interior of your car clean to prevent germs and bacteria from spreading. The best way to sanitize the interior of your car and prevent this spread is by using steam. So even when you’re finished deep cleaning the individual parts of your car, remember to do a final steam to fully sanitize the interior.
10. Clean the door panels
And finally, once you’ve deep cleaned the inside of your car, you can’t forget about the door panels. A sponge or a hand mitt is the easiest way to ensure handles, door frames, and storage pockets have been cleaned properly. You can also easily use water to make this cleaning job quick and efficient.
We hope this article helps you when it comes to properly deep cleaning your car. Happy cleaning!
