Get Your Vehicle Squeaky Clean For The New Year

A man vacuuming the front seats of his car

There’s nothing like the beginning of a new year to make you want to start fresh. Some people clean their homes from top to bottom, others clean out their inbox. But don’t forget about your home on wheels, while you’re at it. Your vehicle could use a good deep-cleaning that will make it feel as good as new! Keep reading for some tips on how to get your car cleaner than it’s been since it first rolled off the production line!

It’s All in the Details

Nooks and crannies are major dust and debris collectors inside your car. This requires some detail work with a small foam brush or paintbrush. AC vents are a good place to start and make sure to vacuum up the dust as you brush it away so that it doesn’t settle back down somewhere else. You can also use the brush and vacuum method to clean the buttons and knobs on the dashboard.

Trash the Trash

Even if your car’s cabin looks neat and tidy at a glance, litter could be hiding under the seats or in seatback pockets and other storage cubbies. Slide your seats all the way forward and pull out the floor mats to check for hidden trash. Open up the glove compartment and the console between seats and toss all the old receipts, fast food napkins, and scraps of paper that have collected there.

Take Care of Upholstery

Shampoo cloth seats with a diluted all-purpose cleaner and a scrub brush. For leather, use a specially formulated leather cleaner and conditioner. Spray your floor mats with stain remover and toss them into the washing machine or scrub them with an upholstery cleaner.

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Eliminate Odors

Once your car is clean and fresh, make sure it smells that way, too. One way to do this is by replacing your air filter, which can trap bad smells and leave your car smelling musty and unpleasant. You can also mix up a chemical-free air freshener made of baking soda and your favorite essential oil. Place the mixture into a mason jar and secure it in a cup holder to keep the air inside your car smelling great.

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