Interior guide

How to clean the interior of a car

A complete step-by-step method for carpets, plastics, fabric and leather seats and glass — about 2 hours for a full deep clean.

1. 1. Empty the car and remove the mats

   Take out everything that isn't fixed: rubbish, loose items, child seats if possible, and all floor mats. Work in the shade with the doors open so you can reach every corner.

   • Use a bag for rubbish and a box for things you want to keep.
   • Slide the front seats fully forward, then fully back, to expose the floor.

   Avoid: Don't start wet cleaning before the car is empty — you'll just move dirt around.

2. 2. Vacuum from top to bottom

   

   Photo: Bryn Pinzgauer, CC BY 2.0

   Start with the headliner edges, seats and door pockets, then finish with the carpet. Use a crevice tool along seat rails and between seats, and a brush tool on vents and stitching. Shake out and vacuum the mats separately.

   • Agitate carpet with a stiff brush first to lift trapped sand and pet hair.
   • A rubber pet-hair brush works wonders on fabric before vacuuming.

   Avoid: Don't press the crevice tool hard on leather or Alcantara — it can leave marks.

3. 3. Clean the dashboard, console and plastics

   

   Photo: Bryn Pinzgauer, CC BY 2.0

   Spray a diluted interior cleaner onto a microfiber towel (not onto the dash) and wipe all hard plastics: dashboard, center console, door cards and steering column. Use a soft detailing brush for vents, buttons and seams, then dry with a clean towel.

   • Finish with a matte, non-greasy UV protectant to prevent fading.
   • Keep a separate towel for screens and piano-black trim.

   Avoid: Never spray directly onto screens or electronics, and skip glossy silicone dressings on the dash — they cause windshield glare.

4. 4. Deep-clean fabric seats and carpets

   

   Photo: Bryn Pinzgauer, CC BY 2.0

   Mist an upholstery or foam cleaner on one section at a time, agitate with a soft brush in overlapping strokes, then blot with a microfiber towel. For stubborn stains, repeat rather than soaking the fabric. Clean the mats the same way, or rinse rubber mats with all-purpose cleaner.

   • Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first.
   • Leave doors or windows open afterwards so the fabric dries fully.

   Avoid: Don't over-wet seats — moisture trapped in the foam causes musty smells and mould.

5. 5. Treat leather the gentle way

   Use a pH-balanced leather cleaner with a soft brush, working panel by panel, and wipe off the residue straight away. Once dry, apply a light leather conditioner or protectant and buff off any excess.

   • Pay extra attention to bolsters and the steering wheel, where body oils build up.
   • Perforated leather: apply cleaner to the brush, not the seat.

   Avoid: Avoid all-purpose cleaners, household wipes and magic erasers on leather — they strip the protective coating.

6. 6. Clean the glass streak-free

   

   Photo: Bryn Pinzgauer, CC BY 2.0

   Clean the inside of all windows last, so dust from earlier steps doesn't settle on them. Spray glass cleaner onto a dedicated glass towel, wipe in one direction, then buff with a second dry towel in the other direction to spot streaks.

   • Use the back of your hand to push the towel into the bottom corner of the windshield.
   • Don't forget mirrors, the rear window and the instrument cover.

   Avoid: Avoid ammonia-based cleaners on tinted windows.

7. 7. Finish and keep it clean

   Put the dry mats back, refit everything you removed and do a final check with a torch. A quick weekly vacuum and wipe of high-touch areas keeps the interior fresh between deep cleans.

   • Keep a small microfiber towel and interior detailer in the door pocket.
   • Deep-clean every 3–6 months, or more often with kids or pets.

   Avoid: Don't mask smells with strong air fresheners — remove the source first.