While it’s important to keep your car looking great on the outside, you should also make sure it’s clean and well-kept on the inside. A properly-maintained interior not only provides a more comfortable riding experience, it can also improve your safety and health. However, cleaning your vehicle’s cabin isn’t so straightforward because it has surfaces of different materials and nooks and crannies that are hard to reach. Follow these tips to clean and maintain different parts of your car’s interior. 
Seats, Floor Mats, and Crevices
Vacuuming is arguably the single best way to keep your vehicle’s interior clean and fresh. It can remove loose dirt, dust, debris, and crumbs from the seats, floor mats, floors, and nooks and crannies inside your car. If you want the best results, use a high-power vacuum cleaner with a hose and attachments that can clean out even the smallest crevices. If you don’t have this type of vacuum cleaner, you can bring your car to a professional auto cleaning center.
Upholstery
While a vacuum cleaner does a good job of getting rid of dirt and debris on car seats, it can’t remove spills and grime that seep into fabric upholstery. So, you need to use upholstery cleaners instead. Such cleaners are specially formulated to thoroughly clean seats and carpets without promoting mold growth. If your vehicle has leather seats, removing stains, cracks, and rips can be difficult and expensive. You can protect your leather upholstery from dirt and damage and give it a nicer look by using a leather cleaner and conditioner.
Dashboard
The dashboard of your vehicle collects a fair amount of dirt and dust. You can clean it with either a vacuum cleaner or a microfiber dust cloth. After that, apply a protectant to help prevent peeling, cracking, and decoloration that results from damaging ultraviolet rays. Also, don’t forget to clean and apply protectant to the steering wheel, as it’s regarded as part of the dashboard.
Windows
The cleanliness and clarity of your vehicle’s windows can have a significant impact on your visibility and safety. Therefore, it’s very important to keep them clean. A water-repellent glass cleaner can easily remove smudges and fingerprints and bead away water that can leave streak marks. It’s important to note that some glass cleaners aren’t suitable for tinted windows or may cause damage to the heating elements on a windshield. Additionally, you should avoid using a household glass cleaner, because its ammonia content can break down the heating elements.
Trunk
Having a cluttered trunk not only makes your vehicle looks less aesthetically pleasing; it can also add weight to it and make it less fuel efficient. Keep only emergency supplies and items that are truly necessary in the trunk.
Properly cleaning and maintaining the interior of your vehicle may require a substantial amount of time and effort. If you have a busy schedule, consider having your car cleaned professionally. Professional auto cleaners have the necessary expertise and equipment to make the inside and outside of your car look sparkling new.
Image via Flickr by Jim’s Photo World used under CC BY
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