Keeping your car interior clean and fresh can be costly if rely on professional car detailing services, but what if I told you that achieving a fresh, spotless interior is possible with just a few simple tools and supplies?
Regular cleaning of the car interior not only keeps your car looking its best but also protects surfaces like carpets, seats, and dashboards from daily wear and tear. To help you maintain a well-kept interior, we’ve put together an expert guide on how to detail your car interior like a professional.
What You'll Need for Interior Car Cleaning
To clean the interior of your car like a pro, the first thing is to have the proper equipment. Expecting a finish like a professional means focusing more on the tools and products used by professionals to detail your car interior. While some household items can work in a pinch, specialized cleaners are designed to provide a deeper clean while protecting delicate materials like leather, plastic, and upholstery.
We recommend you choose the right supplies to ensure a thorough job without risking damage to your car’s surfaces.
Here’s what you need to properly clean the interior:
- Microfiber cloths (gentle on surfaces)
- Car vacuum with crevice tools
- Soft-bristled detailing brush for vents and carpets
- Spray bottle
- Ammonia-free glass cleaner (safe for windows and screens)
- Upholstery cleaner for fabric seats
- Leather cleaner and conditioner
- Baking soda or activated charcoal for odor control
- Disinfecting wipes
Why Not To Use Ammonia Based Cleaners for Windshield
Step-by-Step: How to Detail a Car Interior
1. Remove the Trash
Start by clearing out all the trash, debris, and loose items. Check under seats, in cupholders, and all door pockets. Getting everything out of the way in the beginning helps to make the interior cleaning process much easier.
2. Remove and Clean the Floor Mats
Remove the floor mats and shake them outside to dislodge loose dirt.
- For carpeted mats: Vacuum thoroughly and use an upholstery cleaner for stains.
- For rubber, vinyl, or silicone mats: Scrub with a mix of warm water and mild soap, then rinse and air dry.
Make sure you let the floor mats air dry completely before placing them back in your car.
Best Way to Clean Car Floor Mats
3. Vacuum the Interior
Use a car vacuum to clean every corner of the car interior including the seats, carpets, trunk, door panels, and tight spaces like between seats and under pedals.
Attach a crevice tool to tackle hard-to-reach areas such as seams and cupholders.
Here’s an informative guide about vacuuming a car interior like a professional.
4. Clean and Disinfect the Dashboard and Console
While vacuuming will pick up most of the dirt from your car, it won’t work the same for smaller areas like the dashboard and console. To clear out the dirt from the dashboard and console:
- Dust the dashboard and console with a microfiber cloth or duster.
- Wipe with a damp cloth and apply a dashboard cleaner to remove grime.
- Use disinfecting wipes on high-touch areas like knobs and gear sticks.
Be careful when cleaning sensitive areas like console controls, infotainment touchscreens, and gear sticks as the use of ammonia-based products can damage these surfaces, removing anti-glare or anti-fingerprint coatings.
5. Clean Cupholders, Door Panels, and the Steering Wheel
- Remove cupholders if possible and soak them in warm soapy water. Scrub away the residue with a soft brush.
- Use a microfiber cloth to clean door panels and wipe the steering wheel with disinfecting wipes.
Related: The Best Way to Clean Sticky Cup Holders in Car
6. Clean the Interior Windows and Mirror
- Spray ammonia-free or alcohol-based glass cleaner onto a microfiber cloth (not directly onto the glass).
- Lower the windows slightly and clean from top to bottom to catch drips.
- For tinted windows, ensure the cleaner is safe for use to avoid damage.
- Wipe in circular motions, then buff with a dry cloth to avoid streaks.
For best results, use one cloth to apply the cleaner and a second to wipe dry for a streak-free finish.
7. Clean the Seats
Fabric Seats
- Vacuum thoroughly to remove dirt and crumbs.
- Spot clean stains with an upholstery cleaner and blot with a damp cloth.
- Avoid over-wetting the fabric to prevent mold.
Leather Seats
- Wipe with a damp cloth to remove surface grime.
- Apply a leather cleaner and work in small circular motions.
- Finish with a leather conditioner to keep seats supple and crack-free.
Learn how to clean different types of car seats.
8. Clean the Vents
- Use a soft-bristled brush or car cleaning gel to dislodge dust from the vents.
- Vacuum away the loosened debris.
- Spray an antibacterial cleaner into the vents for freshness.
9. Get Rid of Tough Odors
- Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and seats, let it sit overnight, and vacuum it away the next day.
- Use activated charcoal under seats to absorb lingering smells and make your car smell fresh naturally.
- For persistent odors, consider a commercial odor eliminator.
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How Often Should You Clean The Car Interior
Your car interior should be deep cleaned at least twice a year. However, high-touch areas like the dashboard, steering wheel, and windows should be cleaned monthly.
If you frequently transport kids or pets, consider cleaning the car interior more often to maintain hygiene.
Tips: How to Keep Car Interior Clean and Fresh
- Use car-specific gel or putty to clean vents and other small spaces.
- Keep trash bags or in-car trash cans to manage clutter.
- Invest in seat covers and organizers to organize travel items and reduce wear and tear.
- Line cupholders with silicone baking cups to prevent residue buildup.
Top Recommendations on Interior Car Cleaning
Here are some of our top recommendations for detailing your car interior:
1. Super Clean Degreaser: Best Multi-Surface Interior Cleaner
Super Clean Degreaser is a powerful yet versatile cleaning solution which effectively removes dirt, stains, and grime from various interior surfaces. It can be diluted to tackle anything from light dust on dashboards to deep-set stains on upholstery.
Professional detailers prefer it for its ability to clean without leaving behind sticky residues.
2. Technician’s Choice Ceramic Detail Spray: UV Protection Without Shine
Unlike traditional interior dressings, this ceramic detail spray protects surfaces without adding unwanted gloss. Ideal for modern car interiors, it provides a streak-free, satin finish while safeguarding plastics, leather, and vinyl from harmful UV rays. It's a go-to product for maintaining a factory-fresh appearance.
3. Edgeless Microfiber Towels: Safe for Delicate Surfaces
These towels are designed for streak-free cleaning, and prevent scratches on sensitive interior materials, including piano black trims and car touch screens.
Pro Tip: Color-code the towels to avoid cross-contamination between different cleaning solutions.
4. Interior Detailing Brushes: Precision Cleaning for Tight Spaces
High-quality detailing brushes are essential for reaching into crevices, air vents, and seams. Soft synthetic brushes, like those from MaxShine, offer gentle yet effective dusting, while firmer upholstery brushes help agitate dirt from carpets and fabric seats without damaging surfaces.
5. Drill Brush Attachments: Deep-Cleaning for Upholstery and Carpets
For heavily soiled carpets and fabric seats, drill brush attachments significantly reduce manual labor by efficiently loosening dirt. Available in different stiffness levels, they help extract embedded debris without excessive scrubbing, making them a must-have for deep interior cleaning.
6. Compressed Air System: The Detailing Essential for Hard-to-Reach Areas
Compressed air is an expert-approved tool for dislodging dust from vents, seat tracks, and other tight spaces that vacuums can't reach. It also helps remove cleaning residues, ensuring a spotless finish. Many professionals consider it more valuable than steamers or extractors for everyday detailing.
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Common Questions About Cleaning the Inside of Your Car
Can I use regular household products on my car interior?
Some household products, like baking soda or baby shampoo, can be used to clean the interior of a car. However, avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia, as they can damage interior surfaces.
What not to use when cleaning the car interior?
Avoid abrasive cleaners, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia-based products. These can cause discoloration, scratches, and deterioration of car materials.
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