The car's interior is where you spend most of your time while traveling, making it the most important space for you and your passengers. It’s where you sit, touch surfaces, breathe the air, and welcome others into your vehicle, so keeping it clean is essential. Now, imagine how your car would look if you neglected it: carpets filled with dust, dirty seats, a console littered with food scraps, and dust everywhere. Here, we’re talking about transforming a vandalized or neglected car into a super clean one, making it look its best.
To do that, here is a step-by-step process for car interior cleaning.
Car carpets cleaning
To clean your car carpets, you will need four essential items: a microfiber towel, a stiff brush, a wet & dry vacuum cleaner, and carpet cleaning chemical. You can use additional equipment for a deeper clean, such as a soap and water vacuum and a specialized brush machine.
After that, we remove the floor mats from inside the car and place them outside. Then, we follow these steps:
1. Remove Dust and Dirt: We start by using a vacuum cleaner to remove loose dust and dirt, but there will still be debris embedded in the carpet. To clean this, we use a brush and vacuum together. The brush helps dislodge the dust and dirt, which we then vacuum up.
2. Clean Stains: The next step in the car interior cleaning process is by addressing any stubborn stains on the carpet, such as melted candy, oils, moisturizers, or chewing gum. We can tackle these stains in two ways. First, we manually remove larger pieces as much as possible. Then, we spray hot water and soap on the stain, brush it well, and dry the area after removing the dirt. The second method involves using a steam cleaner, which utilizes steam pressure to eliminate dirt, disinfect stains, remove odors, and protect the carpet.
3. Shampoo and Protect the Carpet: This stage is crucial for cleaning and disinfecting the carpet while removing bad odors, giving it a fresh, like-new appearance. For this, we need carpet cleaner, a brush, and towels. We begin by spraying the carpet with the cleaner, selecting one that targets both dirt and odors, especially if there are unpleasant smells in the car. Then, we thoroughly clean the carpet with the brush, rubbing in all directions for the best results. After that, we wipe the carpet with a microfiber towel, which will likely become dirty and show stains. Finally, we vacuum the carpet and wipe it again with the towel to ensure all dirt is removed. By the end of this process, the carpet should look new.
Note: Be careful not to use too much water, as the carpet is made up of layers, and excess moisture can lead to damage or mold.
Steps to clean messy floor mats
Car interior cleaning involves similar steps to cleaning the interior mats, but we can use a pressure washer for a more effective clean. Here’s how to do it:
Shake Out Dirt and Dust: After removing the floor mats from the car, shake them vigorously to dislodge any dirt and dust.
Vacuum: Next, use a vacuum cleaner to extract any remaining dust and debris from the mats.
Wash with a Pressure Washer: Take the mats outside and use a pressure washer to wash them thoroughly. After the initial rinse, apply soap and use a brush to scrub the mats. An automatic brush can be very effective here; make sure to clean every part of the mat.
Final Rinse: Rinse the mats again with the pressure washer. You’ll likely notice that the water draining from the mats may appear black, indicating how much dirt has been removed.
Protect the Mats: Once the mats are clean and dry, you can apply protective materials to help shield them from dirt and prevent water absorption, ensuring long-lasting cleanliness and protection.
Cleaning the trunk is also included in the car interior cleaning
The first step is to remove the trunk floor and place it outside so it can be cleaned thoroughly, following the same method as cleaning the car's interior carpet. Next, remove the spare wheel and any fender or cover pieces, and begin cleaning. While the trunk is usually less dirty because it’s always closed, it still requires attention, especially the plastic console inside.
Spray cleaning materials onto the console, scrub it well with a brush, and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. Then, apply interior protection products to give the surfaces an extra shine and a fresh, new look. Don’t forget to clean the trunk cover by vacuuming and wiping it down thoroughly.
Additionally, clean the water drainage channels, as they are often full of dust and debris, and make sure to wipe down the trunk’s paint, hinges, and other metal parts. These details are important for achieving a clean and polished appearance. Use a stiff brush and appropriate cleaning materials, but avoid excess water, as it can seep into the trunk and cause mold or carpet damage.
Once you've cleaned and wiped all parts with a microfiber towel, you’ll notice that the trunk now looks spotless and well-maintained.
Car interior cleaning involves the headliner as well
Cleaning the car roof from the inside can be a bit more challenging because it requires careful handling to avoid damaging it. Improper cleaning techniques can cause the roof material to sag or bend, as it consists of layers, and only the surface layer should be cleaned.
To clean the car roof, you will need carpet cleaning products, a soft-bristled brush (make sure it’s clean), and a soft, absorbent microfiber towel. When tackling stains on the roof, it’s best to minimize the use of liquids and focus on dry cleaning methods.
Start by using a clean towel to remove any visible dirt, scrubbing the surface gently and effectively. Next, use the soft brush to address any remaining stains. It's crucial to ensure the brush is clean to avoid transferring dirt back onto the surface. This dry-cleaning method is ideal; however, in cases where dirt has deeply penetrated, you may need to use car interior cleaning liquids.
Apply a small amount of car interior cleaning solution to the towel and gently rub it on the stains. Then, put a little liquid on the brush and scrub the stains until they are completely removed. Finally, wipe the area with the microfiber towel to ensure a clean finish.
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