Hi! We’re back with another cleaning article and this is going to be dedicated to car owners: how to clean and sanitize your car interior.
It’s important to clean and sanitize your car interior, not only for aesthetic purposes but also for health reasons. Your car is much more than a means of transportation. It’s a place where you spend a lot of time each day, especially if you commute or travel every day to work.
Because you spend a lot of time in your cars, you are going to find a lot of dirt, dust and allergens inside it if you don’t take proper care of it. Besides, we all love to see our cars looking tidy and smelling nice each morning before going to work.
If you have pets or kids, this gets even worse because you are dealing with pet dander, orange juice spills, and bad odors. But don’t worry! We will give you our must-have tips and techniques to help you clean and sanitize your car interior.
How to Clean Leather Car Seats
Leather car seats are especially sensitive because they come straight from an organic source. Organic-based materials are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.
If you live in Memphis, you know that temperature and moisture goes down and up all the time. You might notice your leather seats are sometimes oily and almost damp, and other times they look dry and dull.
With organic products, it’s always recommended to use specialized products.
If you don’t have a leather cleaner at home, you can use a DIY substitute by mixing warm water with castile soap. However, try to find a leather cleaner fast to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Do not use alcohol, as it will dry the leather and absorb its natural oils.
Start by vacuuming your seats with a soft brush attachment. Apply your leather cleaner and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. Make sure to let your car dry for a few hours.
You can try using a steam cleaner as well, but don’t leave it for too long. High temperatures might damage your console permanently.
Every 3 – 4 car cleanings, apply some leather conditioner and dry again with a clean microfiber cloth.
Related: Cleaning your Leather Furniture – Maid Service
How to Clean Cars With Cloth Interiors
Cars with cloth interiors are fortunately much easier to clean and take care of. All you need is an all-purpose stain remover, mild soap and warm water.
You will need a spray bottle as well to spread the product evenly without soaking your seats. Last but not least, grab a soft sponge and a microfiber cloth.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
Vacuuming is one of the most important steps. It helps you remove dust on the surface instead of spreading it with a wet sponge.
There are many handheld vacuum cleaners with bristle attachments, which would be ideal to manipulate around your card and reach intricate areas.
If this doesn’t work, you can use an electric air duster. They usually come with different attachments to reach these areas and the air will push the dirt out of your car.
Don’t forget to vacuum under the seats and in the corners. These are the most neglected areas and probably have dust building up for a long time.
If possible, use a carpet shampoo machine with a wand, or a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. This will remove every piece of dirt and grime inside your seats.
If you want to disinfect your seats you are going to need 70% rubbing alcohol. Again, apply with a microfiber cloth and let dry properly. Alcohol dries really fast with proper airflow.
Related: Removing carpet stains and keeping your sanity!
How to Clean the Steering Wheel
The steering wheel is one of the most important places inside your car. You are in contact with it 99% of the time we are inside the car (if you are the driver) with bare hands. That’s why you need to clean and disinfect your steering wheel often.
For your steering wheel, you can use soap or an all-purpose car cleaner. With a spray bottle, apply to a microfiber cloth and start scrubbing. Use a back-and-forth movement along the wheel and squeeze the wheel a bit, like you were grabbing bicycle handlebars.
If the steering wheel has a leather finish, you can try using soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Always use a soft, circular motion to avoid ruining the finish.
Always remember to wipe everything out with a dry, streak-free microfiber cloth.
How to Clean the Inside of Your Windshield
We all know how frustrating it is to see streaks or water marks after we clean our windshield. But don’t worry! Here are some tips to get them clean as a whistle.
The trick is to use distilled water instead of tap water.
This is because tap water contains microscopic minerals such as calcium and magnesium, that create these scratches or stains on glass.
Mix one cup of distilled water, one cup of rubbing alcohol, two tablespoons of white vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. Pour it into a spray bottle and apply to the interior of your windshield. Follow an S pattern and wipe with a microfiber glass cleaning cloth. That’s the key for a spotless windshield!
Related: Shedding Some Light: Tips on Cleaning Windows – Maid Service
Conclusion
As we mentioned earlier, your car is more than a means of transportation. It’s a place you spend a lot of time in, so make sure to keep it clean and tidy.
Remember not to use abrasive cleaners such as bleach or ammonia. Warm, soapy water is usually more than enough, or in any case, you can use specialized cleaners.
Don’t forget to remove as much dirt and grime as you can with a vacuum cleaner or an air duster first. Once you apply liquid cleaners, make sure you let dry your surfaces afterward.
We hope these tips help you keep your car looking like a million bucks! Follow our blog for more cleaning tips. And, if you are searching for professional house cleaning services in Memphis, please check Memphis Maids’ main page.