Cleaning System to Keep Your Car Clean
Cleaning System Hacks to Keep Your Car Clean
Whether you drive a functional commuter car or treat yourself to a luxury ride, it just feels better to drive a clean car. With a simple car cleaning system and a few smart tricks, getting your interior spotless doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money. Try out these 10 creative hacks that actually work.
1. Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner
Skip the store-bought sprays and mix your own natural cleaner. All you need are equal parts distilled water and white vinegar, plus a small squirt of dish soap. For a pleasant scent, add a few drops of essential oil like lemon or lavender. Combine in a spray bottle and shake before each use. This solution is safe for plastic surfaces, such as dashboards, consoles, and door panels.
2. Clean Car Vents with a Foam Paintbrush
Dust loves to collect in your car’s ventilation system. A foam paintbrush is the perfect tool for cleaning the tight spaces between the vent louvers. Use it dry for a quick swipe or lightly spray with your all-purpose cleaner to grab grimy dust. Follow up with a quick burst of canned air if needed.
3. Use a Squeegee for Pet Hair
Pet hair has a way of embedding itself in cloth seats and carpets. A rubber squeegee does a great job of gathering it into piles. Lightly mist the surface with water first for a better grip. For heavy buildup, a mix of water and fabric softener loosens hair even more.
4. Try a Toothbrush on Small Crevices
Tiny spaces like dashboard buttons, vehicle seams, and stitching tend to accumulate grime. Toothbrush bristles can tackle those hard-to-reach areas with ease. Dip it in soapy water or all-purpose cleaner, scrub gently, and wipe clean. It’s also great for touchpoints like door handles and gear shifts.
5. Deodorize with Dryer Sheets
Moisture from shoes, spills, and wet gear can cause your carpets to develop a musty odor. Place a few dryer sheets in seatback pockets or door cubbies. They absorb smells and leave a light, pleasant scent. For added odor control, keep an open box of baking soda in the trunk.
6. Wipe Down Your Steering Wheel with a Nail Brush
The steering wheel collects everything from sunscreen and lotion to food grease and motor oil. Gently scrub the surface using a soft nail brush and a bit of all-purpose cleaner. The brush gets into the grooves where grime builds up, making one of the most touched surfaces in your car feel clean again.
7. Line Cupholders with Silicone Liners
Cupholders are notorious for collecting crumbs, spills, and sticky messes. Pop in a pair of silicone cupcake liners and remove them for cleaning anytime they get gross. They’re washable, reusable, and far easier to deal with than scrubbing goo out of cupholder crevices.
8. Keep a Trash Can on Hand
Even with the best intentions, wrappers and receipts tend to pile up. Line a small lidded container—like an oatmeal tub or reusable plastic bin—with a grocery bag and tuck it beside the passenger seat or in the back. Place trash inside to keep clutter under control and make cleanup a breeze when you stop for gas.
9. Place a Paint Roller Tray Under Car Seats
Loose items like snacks, small toys, or sunglasses often slide under seats, where they’re hard to retrieve. Plastic paint roller trays fit easily beneath most driver and front passenger seats, where they act as a catch-all. When something falls inside, simply pull out the tray rather than reaching blindly.
10. Stay Tidy with a Front Seat Organizer
A front seat organizer keeps the essentials within easy reach. Choose one that attaches to the side of the passenger seat or slips over the backrest to avoid cluttering your center console. Hand sanitizer, spare charging cables, snacks, your cell phone—these sleek organizers store it all neatly. Passengers appreciate the convenience, and you’ll love how organized your front seat stays.
Get a Deep Clean, Professional Finish
Even with reliable car cleaning methods in mind, you might want to leave interior car detailing to the pros. The team at Auto Salon of Orlando goes further than a DIY job ever could. We tackle deep-set stains, eliminate lingering smells with ozone odor removal, repair upholstery, and condition leather and plastic parts to prevent deterioration. We even offer full-service engine cleaning to remove buildup and debris from the engine compartment. Talk about a deep clean! If you want your car to look, smell, and feel like new again, schedule interior auto detailing with us today.