From crumbs and pet hair to muddy footprints and accidental spills, it doesn’t take long for dirt and debris to build up inside your car. Regularly cleaning your car interior can help keep seats, carpets, mats and frequently touched surfaces looking and feeling fresh.
The good news is that you don’t need to tackle everything at once. Follow our step-by-step guide to learn how to clean your car interior, including how to vacuum those awkward spaces and tackle stains on fabric seats and carpets.
How to clean your car interior step by step
Before you get started, gather everything you’ll need and park somewhere with enough space to open the doors fully. It’s usually easiest to work from the top of your car downwards, leaving the floors and mats until later so you can pick up any dust and debris that’s fallen while you clean.
1. Clear out the clutter
Start by removing everything that doesn’t need to be in your car. Check underneath the seats, inside door pockets, cup holders, the glove compartment and the boot for rubbish and belongings that have accumulated over time.
Take out your car mats too. Having a completely clear interior makes it much easier to see where dirt is hiding and gives you better access when you start vacuuming.
2. Dust and wipe down interior surfaces
Dust can quickly settle across the dashboard, centre console and other surfaces. Start with a clean, soft microfibre cloth to remove loose dust before using an appropriate car interior cleaning product where needed.
Pay particular attention to frequently touched areas such as the steering wheel, gearstick, door handles, controls and centre console. Always check that the cleaning product you use is suitable for the material you’re cleaning, particularly around screens and other electronic components.
3. Vacuum your car from top to bottom
Once you’ve cleared the car, it’s time to tackle crumbs, dust, pet hair and other loose debris.
Work from the higher areas down towards the floor, paying attention to the seats, underneath and between them, door pockets, footwells and boot. Seat rails, seams and the gaps between seats and the centre console are particularly good at hiding dirt.
A compact Vax handheld vacuum cleaner is ideal for car cleaning because it’s easy to manoeuvre around seats and into awkward spaces. Use suitable attachments, such as a crevice tool, to reach narrow gaps where a larger vacuum cleaner may struggle.
4. Clean rubber car mats
Take rubber car mats outside and shake off as much loose dirt as possible. You can then wash them according to the manufacturer’s care instructions.
Pay attention to grooves where mud and dirt can become trapped and make sure the mats are completely dry before returning them to the car. Putting damp mats back inside can leave moisture trapped in your car.
5. Deep clean fabric car mats
Fabric mats can hold onto much more than visible dirt, so start by vacuuming them thoroughly on both sides to remove loose dust, grit, crumbs and hair.
If stains remain, a Vax SpotWash spot washer can help you target spills, muddy marks and other stains on suitable fabric car mats without having to wash the entire interior.
Follow the instructions for your spot washer and cleaning solution, and always check the care instructions for your car mats before wet cleaning them. Allow them to dry thoroughly before putting them back into your vehicle.
6. How to clean fabric car seats
Car seats can collect everything from food and drink spills to muddy footprints, particularly if you regularly travel with children or pets.
Begin by vacuuming the seats thoroughly, concentrating on seams and creases where crumbs and dirt can become trapped. A handheld vacuum and crevice attachment can make reaching these areas much easier.
For suitable fabric upholstery, a Vax SpotWash spot cleaner can be used to target stains and spills. Rather than repeatedly scrubbing a stain by hand, a spot washer helps wash the affected area and extract the dirty water.
Always check your vehicle manufacturer’s care guidance before wet cleaning car upholstery and test your cleaning method on an inconspicuous area first. Give the seats plenty of time to dry and leave the doors or windows open where safe to improve ventilation.
7. How to clean leather car seats
Leather requires a different approach to fabric upholstery. Start by carefully vacuuming loose debris from the seats, taking extra care around seams and joins.
Use a cleaning product specifically designed for your type of leather and follow both the product and vehicle manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid soaking the material and use a clean, soft microfibre cloth to wipe the seats.
Don’t use a spot washer on leather car seats unless the manufacturer of your vehicle and cleaning appliance specifically confirms that the surface is suitable.
8. Don’t forget the car boot
The boot is easily overlooked but can be one of the dirtiest parts of a car, particularly if it’s used for shopping, muddy shoes, sports equipment or transporting pets.
Remove everything from the boot and take out any removable mats or liners. Vacuum thoroughly, including around the edges and underneath removable flooring where appropriate.
If you regularly travel with a pet, pay extra attention to hair trapped in the boot carpet and upholstery. Using a suitable vacuum attachment can help lift stubborn pet hair from fabric surfaces.
9. Tackle spills when they happen
One of the easiest ways to keep your car interior clean is to deal with spills and stains as quickly as possible.
Remove any excess liquid or debris and avoid aggressively rubbing the affected area, which can spread the stain further into fabric fibres. For suitable carpets and fabric upholstery, keeping a Vax spot washer at home means you can tackle unexpected car spills before they have a chance to become more stubborn.
How often should you clean your car interior?
How frequently your car needs cleaning will depend on how you use it. Cars used every day, particularly those regularly carrying children or pets, are likely to need attention more often.
Removing rubbish and giving the interior a quick vacuum regularly can help prevent dirt from building up. You can then periodically carry out a deeper clean of the mats, upholstery, boot and hard-to-reach areas.
Keeping your car interior cleaner for longer
Once your car is clean, a few simple habits can make it easier to maintain. Remove rubbish regularly, shake out the mats, deal with spills promptly and keep on top of crumbs, dirt and pet hair before they become embedded in the upholstery and carpets.
Having the right tools can make quick clean-ups easier too. Our handheld vacuum cleaners for everyday crumbs, dust and debris, or discover the Vax SpotWash range for tackling spills and stains on suitable car carpets, mats and fabric upholstery.
Vax Staff