For carpeted mats, follow the instructions and use a carpet or upholstery cleaner.
Forrubber, vinyl, or silicone mats, use a hose to wash away excess soil.
Mix a solution of warm water and a few drops ofdish soapin a bucket.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Dip a scrub brush in the solution and clean the mats.
Rinse well and let them air dry.
Lower the windows slightly.
Start at the top of the window and work downward, catching any drips along the way.
Warning
An ammonia-based cleaner can damage interior plastics or dashboard touchscreens, removing anti-glare or anti-fingerprint coatings.
Scrub it clean with a sponge.
Finish by wiping it down with a soft cloth and rinsing well with fresh water.
Dry and reassemble the console.
After dusting, use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to remove grime and fingerprints.
Slide it through the crevice to collect the dust or debris.
Use a disinfecting wipe to wipe clean these high-touch surfaces.
Buff dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
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Wipe down each seat with acommercial leather cleanermade for automotive care or a solution of saddle soap and water.
After cleaning the seat, consider using aleather conditionerto restore suppleness and shine.
Pre-Treat Seat Stains
Forcloth car seats, begin by vacuuming each seat well.
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Pretreat heavily-stained areas with some upholstery cleaner orfollow the guidelines for a specific jot down of stain.
Make a paste of powdered oxygen-based bleach and a bit of water for dye-based stains like Kool-Aid.
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Clean Cloth Car Seats
Useupholstery cleaneron the entire seat.
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Repeat the steps as necessary.
Try not to get the upholstery too wet.
Sopping wet cushions can take a long time to dry and encourage mold growth.
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Blot the upholstery mostly dry with a clean towel and allow the seats to air dry.
Wipe down the metal fasteners and molded clasps with a damp microfiber cloth.
If there are stains on the carpet, use acommercial carpet cleanerand follow the instructions.
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Remember to vacuum the trunk’s carpeting.
Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the finishes and clean out the pockets.
Remember to clean the back door or hatchback.
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Keep the doors open when cleaning so the dirt and dander land on the outside of your car.
Let it remain overnight.
Vacuum it the next day.
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Control lingering odors by placing baking soda or activated charcoal in a sealed plastic container.
Cut some slits in the lid and put it under one of the seats.
Change the contents every other month.
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For persistent odors, purchase a commercial upholstery odor remover, like Febreze or OdoBan.
Bring the car to a professional detailer for strong, foul odors like mold.
A thorough cleaning of the car’s interior twice a year should suffice.
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Remove trash and debris from the driver’s floorboard and dashboard when it interferes with the vehicle’s controls.
These chemicals can damage upholstery and interior surfaces.
The Spruce / Cristina Tudor
The Spruce / Cristina Tudor
The Spruce / Cristina Tudor
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
