Updated on Mar. 25, 2025
If you drive a lot for work or have kids and pets, you know how hard it can be to keep the inside of your car clean. Here are 10 cleaning tips and tricks to make your car's interior sparkle again.
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The first step to efficient car interior cleaning is to gather the big stuff. Before you pull out the vacuum and cleaning supplies, clear out all the obvious trash. Check everywhere thoroughly. There will likely be trash on the floor, under the seats, and in the seat cracks. Toss out any wrappers, bottles, toys, and other objects that your vacuum can’t handle.
Pull the floor mats out of the vehicle and shake them out as much as possible. This will make vacuuming easier. Scrub them with soap and hot water or a foaming carpet cleaner and allow them to air dry completely before reinstalling them.
Vacuum both front and back seats, the floor and, if necessary, the trunk. Then, vacuum every area of the vehicle where you can get the nozzle, including under the pedals and along the side door panels. This is a particularly satisfying step in the car interior cleaning process, as it gets a lot of the dirt and grime up quickly. Learn how to clean cloth car seats.
Now that the car is vacuumed, grab a soft cloth or cleaning wipes to wipe up all that dirt, sticky stuff, and dust. You can also spray a small amount of car-specific cleaner over the console, steering wheel and the area between the seats to restore that new-car look.
Cup holders can harbor grime, spilled coffee, and dead hair and skin cells (yuck). Try using a cotton swab dipped in a little cleaning solution to reach those difficult areas as well as other crevices. In some vehicles, the entire cup holder is removable for easier cleaning.
Spray a window cleaner solution on windows and wipe clean with a paper towel or microfiber cloth. You can also mix one cup of water, two tablespoons of vinegar, and one cup of rubbing alcohol for an effective homemade window cleaner.
If there are stains on the seats or on the carpet (and we guarantee there will be, especially if you have kids!) try this homemade solution. In a spray bottle mix two cups of water, one cup of vinegar and about a tablespoon of dish soap. Spray the solution on the stains and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then wipe clean with a wet cloth. If the stain persists, try a product like Spot Shot or Resolve. Spot-test in an inconspicuous area to make sure the upholstery fabric is colorfast.
If you have a dog, you know the pain of dealing with pet hair in the car. If the vacuum doesn’t remove all the fur, try using a rubber-dipped glove. Simply brush the hair away with your hand, and it sticks to the glove-like magic! To protect your car’s interior from any future pet damage, try a waterproof seat protector like this one. Here are a few tips for repairing your pet-damaged furniture.
Grab a paint stirrer or two next time at you’re at the hardware store. Wrap an end with a microfiber cloth and use the stick to get into those hard-to-reach areas between the seats and around the center console.
Create a homemade car freshener with one cup of baking soda and five drops of your favorite essential oil. Place both the soda and oil in a sealable plastic bag or glass jar for 24 hours. Then shake it up, sprinkle on the car’s floor and let it sit for 20 minutes. When the time has passed, vacuum up the baking soda. The scent will linger, making your car smell fresh and clean!
It depends on how much you drive and how dirty it gets. “I try to give my vehicle a thorough cleaning at each oil change,” says Pyle. “A stain left alone for a long while can become bad enough that it can not be removed.”
If you are sensitive to allergens, Watson recommends cleaning it as frequently as once a month, plus checking the cabin air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or sooner if you drive in dusty areas.
Vacuum up any dirt and crumbs. Then using a leather cleaner, or mild soap and water mix, wipe the seats down with a soft cloth. Take care not to soak the leather. Finish by applying a leather conditioner, which will keep the seats soft and prevent cracking.
“Avoid products like harsh chemicals and soaps as that can damage the leather, change its color or cause the surface to fail, requiring a seat cover replacement,” says Pyle.
