Common Areas to Clean in Your Car

• Clean your car’s floor mats
• How to clean car carpets
• How to clean inside car windows
• How to clean car seats
• Cleaning car consoles and doors
• Eliminating car odors

In the past, I shared my favorite car cleaning tips, and today I’m diving into the nitty-gritty details of what and how to clean your car, along with some DIY cleaning solution recipes. So, let’s get ready to tackle those fast-food wrappers and dust bunnies!

Declutter First

One important cleaning rule is that decluttering must come first. You can’t effectively clean your car carpets or wash the doors while surrounded by a mountain of takeout containers and miscellaneous debris. Grab a garbage bag and a recycling bin and get to work! Remove any other items from your car, such as bags, toys, and blankets, as these can hinder the cleaning process.

Clean Your Car Floor Mats

Although floor mats are often dark-colored and can mask dirt, they accumulate grime from your daily usage. Take them out of your car and give them a good shake to remove loose debris. Lay them on a clean tarp or garbage bags to prevent further dirt accumulation.

Next, vacuum the mats thoroughly, then spray them down with a hose. For a deeper clean, mix warm water with a squirt of dish soap in a bucket, scrub the mats, and hang them to dry before placing them back in your car.

Car Carpet Cleaning

After cleaning your mats, it’s time to focus on the carpet. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and dust, ensuring to get into the corners and under the seats. For stains, identify the type of stain to choose the appropriate cleaning solution.

This DIY carpet cleaner is effective:

• One cup dish soap
• One cup white vinegar
• One cup club soda

Spray the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub. Use your chosen carpet cleaner for the rest of the carpet, scrub with a bristle brush, and allow it to dry before vacuuming again.

Car Window Cleaning

Cleaning car windows is much easier than scrubbing your carpets. A microfiber cloth is ideal for cleaning glass surfaces. You can use a store-bought window cleaner or mix your own with the following ingredients:

• One cup water
• One cup white vinegar
• One teaspoon cornstarch

Start cleaning at the top of the window and work downward to catch drips and avoid streaks.

How to Clean Car Seats

The cleaning process varies depending on whether your seats are leather or cloth. For cloth seats, vacuum them thoroughly, focusing on seams to capture crumbs. Treat any stains with a suitable stain remover or use a DIY solution for coffee stains:

• One cup white vinegar
• Two cups of water
• One teaspoon dish soap

Allow stain solutions to sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing. For leather seats, use a vacuum attachment to clean thoroughly and apply a leather cleaner followed by conditioner for best results.

Cleaning Car Consoles and Doors

The car console and doors are high-touch areas often neglected during cleaning. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down all surfaces, including inside the pockets. For cup holders, if removable, soak them in warm water with soap. If not, create the same solution and use your cloth for cleaning.

Eliminate Car Odors

While cleaning is crucial for removing odors, a little extra help may be necessary. Baking soda is effective at absorbing odors. After cleaning, sprinkle baking soda over carpets and cloth seats (do not use on leather!). Leave it overnight and vacuum the next morning for a fresher scent.

Car Interior Cleaning Maintenance

Deep cleaning your car can be a significant task, but doesn’t need to occur frequently. The frequency of cleaning depends on your habits, such as eating or having pets in the car. Staying proactive with daily garbage disposal and prompt stain treatment can minimize the need for major cleanings.