Top 10 Car Interior Cleaning Tips

Cleaning tips for when you’re in a hurry

Clear trash. Grab a plastic bag and fill it with every piece of garbage you can find. Remove anything that’s not screwed down. If it’s not garbage, hide it in the trunk. Consider turning the center console into a trash can (just insert another bag) for future use.
Wipe down surfaces. Use cleaning wipes for expediency, and the lemon scent should help cover up less desirable odors.
Clean cup holders. As explained by
Family Handyman
, cup holders are often the grossest part of a car’s interior. Pop them out (if possible) and give the insides a clean.
Shake out floor mats. Ideally, you should scrub floor mats with soapy water, or even a specialist carpet cleaner, and allow them to air dry before putting them back in your car. But your mom’s waiting, just shake them out to remove the majority of crumbs and dirt.
Remove hair from the seats. This sounds like a time-consuming chore, especially if you have a dog. However, as explained by the Family Handyman, if you have rubber work gloves you can just rub a hand over the seats and most of the hair will stick to it.

Cleaning tips for when you’ve got more time

Clean the interior windows. Use a window cleaning solution and paper towel to clear fingerprints and other built up grime from your interior windows. Simply cleaning the windshield (inside and out) can make it feel like you’re driving a brand new car.
Get into the crevices. Family Handyman has an ingenious way of tackling those hard-to-reach spaces. Grab an extra paint stirrer from your local hardware store, and wrap the end with microfiber cloth to gather crumbs, dust, and hair from less accessible areas.
Vacuum seats and floors. Vacuum every area of the vehicle where you can get the nozzle, including under the pedals, inside door storage compartments, and even the trunk.
Remove stains. Some stains are notoriously stubborn, but you can make an effective stain remover at home. Family Handyman suggests mixing two cups of water, one cup of vinegar, and a tablespoon of dish soap into a spray bottle. Spray the affected area, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then wipe clean with a wet cloth.
Try a homemade air freshener. Store bought air fresheners have a sickly smell, which may mask other odors, but aren’t much of an improvement. Why not make your own with a scent you know you like? Simply mix one cup of baking soda and five drops of any essential oil into a jar. Wait 24 hours and then shake it up. Sprinkle the solution onto your car’s floor and leave it to soak. After 20 minutes, vacuum up the baking soda. The delightful essential oil smell will linger for weeks afterwards.