5 Car Interior Cleaning Tips for a Sparkling Finish
Your car may be the place where you spend hours of your life commuting to and from work, driving children to school or practice, or running errands says. So what better way to keep yourself sane than by giving it a good cleaning every now and then?
Here are 5 car interior cleaning tips for a sparkling finish:
1) AREAS OF CONCERN –
Remove trash, road maps, old receipts, etc. A rubber doormat will save your carpeting from muddy shoes. Clean or replace floor mats regularly for the best appearance. Keep them clean with mild soap and water mixed in a spray bottle. Also really tidy up loose papers, shopping bags, etc…that has accumulated behind the seat cushions.
2) VACUUM THE CARPET –
Vacuum the carpeting, including the mats. It’s best to use an attachment specifically made for cleaning automobile carpets. If your car has a fabric interior, vacuum it with upholstery cleaner which is safe for fabrics. Cotton clothes are less likely to scratch delicate surfaces than paper towels, but both work well. You might also try removing stubborn stains with club soda or other mild dilutions of acid and water before you clean your car seats.
3) SPOT CLEAN YOUR SEATS –
To spot clean spills, pretreat them with detergent or stain remover according to package directions then wash off quickly using clear water and a sponge or soft-bristled brush. Wipe away cleaner residue with a moist, clean cloth or towel.
Use caution when using cleaning agents on fabric upholstery. Test stain remover on an inconspicuous spot before applying it to more of the surface area of your seats. If there is no color change, follow label directions for removing specific stains. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning and dry with a soft cloth or towel.
4) CLEAN YOU’RE CAR SONGS –
It’s ideal to use waxes that are made especially for cars but you can get by with just about any type of car wax that you find at your local automotive store. Apply the wax evenly in small areas with an applicator pad making sure to avoid overlapping strokes. Let the wax dry to a haze but not completely before you wipe it off with a clean cloth.
Do NOT let any liquid get inside your car; do not spray liquid wax directly on the interior of your vehicle. Use only disposable, lint-free towels for removing wax. Stay away from paper napkins or newspapers that leave bits of debris behind. Sponges can also be used to apply and remove wax but watch out for any rough spots that may scratch your car if they snag on an area of finish damage. When applying liquid wax, always work in small sections so you’ll have more control over where you are placing it.
5) CLEAN YOU’RE CAR TRIM –
Car trim includes moldings, bumpers, handles, and exterior mirrors. Clean all pieces with warm soapy water or an automotive-approved stainless steel cleaner or polish that works well on chrome. Use a clean towel to dry any shiny surfaces immediately after washing them to avoid spotting. For the best results, allow wax to completely cure 6 hours before driving.
Car detailing doesn’t have to be difficult nor does it require professional equipment. With these 5 car interior cleaning tips in mind, you’ll be sure to keep your car looking great even during the long winter months when people don’t want to go outside anyway!
Conclusion:
If you own a car and would like to keep it looking good over the years, perhaps using biocides like “5 Star Paint Prep” and “5 Star General Purpose Cleaner” will help. These two products are made with Triclosan Biocide which forms a protective layer on your surfaces that repels dirt, dust, grime, mold, mildew and stains.
When choosing a car polisher, Pinnacle has 3 different ones for you to choose from: The Porter Cable 7424xp, Meguiars G110v2 Variable Speed Polisher or the Rupes LHR75 EP Random Orbital Polisher. All three have roughly the same retail price but each one delivers results based on speed/finish and ergonomics. It’s up to you which one you should choose.