Having a clean car makes people feel happy (and in my case, relief that something is clean). What are some ways you can clean your car, and keep it clean? We have some cleaning tips for you!
Summer is finally here! For parts of Utah anyway. For everyone else, summer is right around the corner! With summer comes a lot of plans including family vacations, sports tournaments, road trips, etc. There is a lot of traveling. With traveling, comes a lot of time in a car, and having a messy car can make things more stressful than necessary. I have come up with a list of cleaning tips you can use to clean your car today!
1. Take Out Any Trash
First and foremost of car cleaning, is to make sure any and all trash is taken out of your car. This will make things MUCH easier when vacuuming, dusting, and getting into the nook and crannies of your car. While taking out the trash, remove anything that you want to stay in your car, but may be in the way of cleaning. For example, a car seat. Remove the car seat for now, then once you have finished cleaning, the car seat can be put back in.
2. Remove and Clean The Floor Mats
The floor mats work wonders by not damaging the actually floor of your car. By doing so, they tend to become very dirty. Remove all floor mats from the car and clean them off. Cleaning the floor mats can consist of vacuuming them, shaking off any debris, or (depending on the type of floor mats) simply throwing them in the washing machine. If you decide not to use the washing machine for your floor mats, simply using soap, water, and a scrub brush should do the trick to get those mats clean. Stain removal may be needed if cleaning a carpeted floor mat.
3. Windows and Mirrors
It’s obviously very important to have clean windows and mirrors, so we can see properly. When cleaning your windows and mirrors work from the top to the bottom, to avoid any drips or residue. If you don’t have a glass cleaner at home, mix your own glass cleaner by using 1 part vinegar and 1 part water.
4. Center Console
Center consoles are convenient, but can become messy and fast. If your car has cup holders in the center console that can be removed, remove them and let them soak in warm water and dishwashing soap. Scrub it clean, then wipe dry and reassemble. If the cup holders in your cars center console do not remove, take a warm, damp washcloth and wipe it clean.
Disinfect and dust the gear stick and other parts of the center console.
5. Dust Dashboard
Use a dust or microfiber cloth to remove any dust or grime from the dashboard. Make sure to dust all of the vents and buttons or knobs that may be on the dashboard. If needed, use a cotton swab to dust off the vents.
6. Disinfect Steering Wheel
As gross as it sounds, any germs that were on your hands before you touched the steering wheel, are now on the steering wheel the second you start driving. Eliminate the germ build-up on the steering wheel by using a disinfecting wipe to wipe it clean.
7. Car Seats
Vacuum your seats completely, including the little crevasses and hard to reach places. Depending on what type of seats you have in your car, will help you figure out how else to best clean your seats.
With leather seats, simply wipe them clean using a leather cleaner, or a soap and water solution. You may want to use a leather conditioner to restore the look of the leather.
With cloth seats, spot cleaning them is the best option. Use a simple cloth cleaner or solution and place it on the spot(s) that may need to be cleaned. Let the solution or cleaner sit for about an hour, and scrub the stain out. After the stain is completely out, allow the seat to air-dry.
8. Carpet
We covered the floor mats, but there is a good possibility that your carpets are still dirty even with the floor mats. Vacuum all of the carpets in your car, including the carpet in the trunk. Use the different tools on your vacuum to reach and clean the nooks and crannies.
9. Door Panels
These are also filled with germs, and can get pretty messy. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe all of the door panels clean. Keep your doors open when you clean, so the dirt and grime doesn’t end up on your carpets and seats after just cleaning them.
Enjoy your clean car!