Unless you’re fastidious about your car’s
interior, it’s usually the last thing on your cleaning list. As the months roll by, grime, wrappers, dust and junk can
just pile up. Unfortunately, most of us finally get around to the deep cleaning when we tape the “For Sale” sign
on the wind-shield. So whether you’re selling your car or just want to clean it up for spring, these tips from
professional detailers will give you the most return for your energy. You’ll feel like your car is brand new
again.
1. Slide the seat all the way forward and clean out all the junk underneath.
You’ll be surprised by what you find. We found a lost cell phone, enough pens and pencils to equip a small office, and
enough change for several vending machine lunches. Vacuum the seats, remove the mats and vacuum the carpet. Use a brush
attachment for the dash and door panels. Don’t forget to clean out and vacuum those handy door pockets (another source
of buried treasure).
Click Image to enlarge.
2.
Deep-clean carpeting and upholstery. Use a carpet cleaning machine to get
the deep dirt that settles into the fibers of the carpet. (Clean cloth seats this way as well.) It sprays the carpet with a
solution of water and cleaner and then sucks the dirt and grime into a reservoir. A machine like this pays for itself after
just a few uses. You can also rent one from a rental center (about $30) or use a spray on cleaner and a scrub brush
instead.
Click Image to enlarge.
3.
Clean and condition the leather or vinyl. After a couple of years,
you’ll notice that the color of the leather seats no longer matches the rest of the interior. It’s not enough just
to condition the leather. First spray on leather cleaner and rub vigorously with a clean terry cloth towel. To avoid rubbing
the grime back into the seats, keep flipping the cloth to expose a fresh surface. Let the seats dry for an hour and then rub
in a leather conditioner like Lexol to keep the leather supple. It’s available at discount stores and auto
stores.
4.
Remember to get into the nooks and crannies. Detailing means just
that—finding and dealing with all the trim lines and recesses that a quick once-over cleaning job misses. Wrap a cloth
around an old, worn screwdriver (without sharp edges) and spray Simple Green or other all-purpose cleaner on the cloth. Move
it gently along the trim lines to pick up the gunk. Keep refreshing the surface of the cloth. Go around all the buttons and
controls as well. Follow up with a rejuvenator like Armor All.
Click Image to enlarge.
5. Brush out the air vents. These louvers are a real magnet for dust, and a
vacuum with a brush attachment just won’t get it all. Take an inexpensive paint brush and give it a light shot of Endust
or Pledge furniture polish. Work the brush into the crevices to collect the dust. Wipe the brush off with a rag and move on to
the next one.
Click Image to enlarge.
6.
Wash the windows, including the top edges. Ever notice that line of grime on
the tops of windows when they’re partially rolled down? Most people overlook this detail when giving their vehicle a
quick wash. A few minutes with Windex and a clean rag is all it takes.
7.
Scrape off those annoying stickers. While all of your national and state
park stickers may call to mind great memories, they can be a visual hazard as they accumulate. The high-quality stickers will
pull off if you can get under a corner and carefully pull them free at a 90-degree angle. Others will leave a gummy residue
and require a bit more attention. Cover your dash with an old towel and dab on Goo Gone. Then scrape and wipe it
off.
8.
Kill bad odors. Whether your vehicle smells like a Big Mac or cigarettes,
one pump of the Odor Gun will solve the problem.
