Easy Car Cleanup: 5 Simple Steps

Easy Car Cleanup: 5 Simple Steps

Whether you're returning from a car trip or planning one, try these 5 simple steps to help keep the interior of your car neat and tidy.
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1. Remove everything!

 Before cleaning the interior of your car, remove all items. If you’ve just returned from a trip or if your car is especially cluttered, place the items in a big plastic bin to sort through later. Clear rubbish from the ashtrays and check underneath the seats for loose change, etc. Remove the floor mats and place them temporarily in a dry place (not on wet grass or on oily pavement).

2. Vacuum the floor.

 Using the long-handled attachment, vacuum the carpet, reaching under the seats, around the pedals and in the area between the front seats and the central console. Switching to a soft-brush attachment, vacuum the dashboard and doors, taking extra care not to damage knobs and vents. Use the same soft-brush attachment to vacuum the seats. (Leather seats are easily damaged, so avoid scratching them with the vacuum hose.) Outside the car, vacuum the floor mats you’ve removed, give them a good final shake and then return them to the car.

3. Shine windows.

 Inside and out, back to side to front, your windows have probably taken a beating from road travel. Reclaim a crystal-clear view by removing grime, dirt, fingerprint smudges and smashed bugs. [[1104]] provide a quick and convenient way to get a streak-free shine. For best results, glass should not be in direct sunlight or hot to the touch. Keep a pack of [[1104]] in your glove compartment for quick touchups.

4. Clean seats, door upholstery and dashboard.

 Keeping vinyl and leather car seats clean and conditioned protects them from cracking. First, brush off any loose dirt or crumbs and then spray on Pledge® Natural Beauty; then wipe gently with a soft, clean cloth. (For convenience, try the Pledge® Natural Beauty Wipes.) If you have cloth seats, use a steam cleaner (you can rent one from many hardware stores). If your ceiling is upholstered, start the steam cleaning there and move downward. Any family with kids or pets should invest in an upholstery brush to tackle stains and pet hair. (An old toothbrush can work well, but make sure any brush used on upholstery is soft.)

5. Refresh the air.

 Is the smell of too many greasy French fries lingering inside your car? Now’s the time to refresh the air and even introduce a new scent. Made especially for your auto, Glade® Car Scented Oil uses the air flow of your car vent to continuously circulate a light and pleasant fragrance throughout your car. My family loves the scent Ocean Blue™, especially when we’ve just come back from a beach vacation!
written by:
Diane, SC Johnson home care expert
comments (7)
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recent comments
7/8/2009 , 
barbara  s.
started cleaning my car last week...1 1/2hours later i had one seat clean sweat pouring down the face and arms to limp to do anymore....wish i'd seen your list so much sooner
4/8/2009 , 
JOANNA  H.
I love a clean car, my biggest problem is my husband just trashes it so guess who always gets to cleans it. I am excited about the Glade Car Scented Oil and will be looking for it. This is a good routine you have for cleaning and it helps if you just do it the same way each time, you know what to expect. Thanks.
3/17/2009 , 
jessica  m.
great help for someone who hates to clean the car

have you tried?

Scrubbing Bubbles® Extend-A-Clean™ Power Sprayer
Try the bathroom cleaner that works continuously for days to keep your bathroom cleaner, longer.
Antibacterial Scrubbing Bubbles® XXI Bathroom Cleaner
The antibacterial cleaner foams to shine and sanitize bathroom surfaces, leaving behind a pleasant scent.
Windex® Multi-Surface Antibacterial
Kills 99.9% of bacteria* & leaves a streak-free shine.

*See label for details.
Which of these would you love to have when getting ready for company?