Car Detailing: The Interior

Keep it like new inside

Considering it’s where we spend so much time, the car’s interior needs to be kept clean and pristine. delectus/Getty Images

A clean car drives better, and detailing can be fun.

Because this project requires a lot of time inside the vehicle, pull the car inside a garage or under a carport to avoid becoming overheated. You can also work during early morning or late afternoon hours, or use a fan to blow cool air inside.

Gather the tools needed: a shop vacuum, cotton or microfiber cloths, glass cleaner, and vinyl and leather conditioners. Then, turn off the phone, set the radio to a favorite station, crank up the volume, and get busy.

Wipe down the steering wheel, hub, the steering column, control stalks and the instrument panel to remove accumulated dust.SofikoS/Shutterstock

The first step is going through every nook and cranny, removing the floor mats and everything from the seats, under the seats, and in the trunk or cargo compartment. If the floor mats are looking a bit past their prime, now is the time to replace them with a set of all-weather molded mats. These mats hold debris, dirt, and even spilled liquids, making cleanup as easy as removing and rinsing them. To keep them looking good, apply a spritz of Armor All Tire Protectant or a similar product, making sure to wipe up any slippery residue.

Next, go through the glove compartment and console storage area as well as the door pockets to remove loose change, fuel receipts, empty water bottles, dog toys, lost screwdrivers, and anything else; the goal is to have the carpeted flooring, the seats, and the various storage compartments ready to be vacuumed.

Vacuuming dirt, dust, and debris helps keep the carpeting in great condition; get all the other nooks & crannies, too. New Africa/Shutterstock

Have several trash bags handy to collect debris as it’s discovered; the first rule of any project is to not have one action result in additional actions, so don’t make a pile of debris that you will later need to collect, bag, and take to the trash can.

Use a very slightly damp microfiber cloth to remove dust from touchscreens without scratching the delicate surface. perfectlab/Shutterstock

With the interior areas empty, look for stains, spills, or other issues. Treat stains appropriately for the surface; as an example, spilled soda on an all-weather floor mat is a simple rinse-and-let-dry task, while a stain on leather or cloth upholstery requires the use of an appropriate cleaning agent.

Greasy fingerprints on the steering wheel or door handles can be removed by wiping them with a very slightly damp soft cloth. If the grease is stubborn, put a tiny drop of degreasing soap on the cloth.

The next step is to use the same soft cloth to clean and remove dust from the dashboard, door panels, console storage lid, leather or vinyl seats, and other bits of interior trim. It’s OK to use an interior detailing product that cleans and shines, as long as the label clearly states that it can be used on those surfaces—if in doubt, just use a tiny bit of water on the cloth.

Applying a leather conditioner after cleaning leather seats with saddle soap will keep them looking their best. Aleksandr Kondratov/Getty Images

Wipe the cloth around the steering wheel and its hub, the steering wheel column, and all the control stalks that operate lights, turn signals, and more that have an uncanny ability to gather and hold dust. Run the cloth across the instrument panel, touchscreen panels, and around air-conditioning ducts. Replace the vehicle’s cabin filter annually.

Get the whole family involved to make it fun; vacuum the cargo area and storage bins of SUVs to prevent “mystery odors.” Imgorthand/Getty Images

Using a product such as Turtle Wax Fresh Clean Detailer, lightly spray and then use a soft cotton or microfiber cloth to wipe and dry the dashboard, door panels, console cover, and other interior trim. With proper care, leather interiors can remain looking great for the life of the car. The trick is to promptly remove dirt that can abrade the surface, or spills that can create an unsightly stain.

Saddle soap is an excellent choice for removing grime; use a leather cleaner and conditioner to keep leather and vinyl seats and trim looking good and to help avoid cracks. If leather upholstery is cracked or the finish is thin, consult a local upholstery shop to determine if they can restore it by using leather paint and repairing any worn spots or tears.

True car aficionados will use a small paint brush to remove dust from A/C vents, stereo control buttons, and other hard-to-reach areas.BigTunaOnline/Shutterstock

To restore the inside of windows and the windshield to a sparkly clean condition, many detail pros apply vinegar and then remove it via wadded newspaper.

Now, it’s time to vacuum every surface, using a thin tip to get into tight areas such as under, between, and on the seats; on the surface of the trunk or cargo area; and inside all door pockets. If you notice any odor, consider a light spritzing of Febreze or a similar air freshener.

That’s it. Now, all you have to do is replace the floor mats and take the car for a ride.