Car Interior Cleaning: How to Clean the Headliner and Carpets

The interior is where you and your passengers spend all your time in the car, so keeping it clean matters. Here's our step-by-step process for bringing a neglected interior back.

Cleaning car carpets

You'll need a microfibre towel, a stiff brush, a wet-and-dry vacuum and a carpet cleaner. An extraction machine and a powered brush help for a deeper clean. Take the floor mats out first, then:

• Remove dust and dirt: vacuum the loose dirt, then brush and vacuum together to lift what's embedded in the pile.
• Treat stains: remove any solid residue such as gum or melted lollies, then apply hot water and cleaner, brush, and dry the area. A steam cleaner is great here, as it lifts dirt, disinfects and removes odour.
• Shampoo: spray a cleaner that targets dirt and odour, scrub in all directions, wipe with a microfibre towel, then vacuum and wipe again.

Don't use too much water. Car carpet has layers underneath, and excess moisture can cause damage or mould.

Cleaning floor mats

• Shake out loose dirt.
• Vacuum the remaining debris.
• Wash with a pressure washer, apply cleaner and scrub every part of the mat.
• Rinse again. The water often runs black, which shows how much dirt was in there.
• Once dry, a protectant helps repel dirt and water.

Cleaning the boot

Lift out the boot floor and clean it like the carpets. Remove the spare wheel and any covers, then clean the plastic trims with a cleaner and brush and wipe them down. Vacuum and wipe the parcel shelf, clear out the drainage channels and wipe the paint and hinges. Again, go easy on water so it doesn't sit under the carpet.

Cleaning the headliner

The roof lining needs care: too much liquid or scrubbing can make the fabric sag, because it's glued in layers and only the surface should be cleaned. Use a clean, soft brush and an absorbent microfibre towel, and favour dry methods. Wipe away surface dirt first, then gently brush remaining marks. For deeper stains, put a small amount of interior cleaner on the towel or brush, not directly on the roof, work it gently, and finish with a clean, dry towel.