The car interior is the place where the driver and passengers should feel comfortable. That is why it is important to clean it in a timely manner and clean the seats from possible dirt and dust. How and with what to clean the car interior with your own hands? Can you use folk remedies for this? Let's figure it out.
Cleaning the leather interior
If the leather interior of the car is dirty, it must be cleaned in such a way as to preserve its original appearance. If this is not done correctly, streaks and cracks may appear on the leather upholstery.
A material like leather needs delicate care. If the question arises of how to clean the leather interior of a car with your own hands in order to keep the upholstery intact, the selected tool must first be distributed in a small area that is hidden from view.
Leather itself is a material that differs in the type of tanning. Its strength characteristics can also be different. Moreover, it can be provided with a protective coating. It is this type of finish that can often be found in the salons of modern brands.
If there is no protective coating, a conditioner should be applied to the material, which has a positive effect on it - after application, the skin becomes softer and more elastic, acquires a pleasant smell and aesthetic appearance.
As a rule, the method of application of the leather interior cleaner is indicated on the packaging of the composition. It is recommended to apply the product to a soft cloth and then wipe the skin with it. This will help prevent the harmful effects of chemicals on the material.
As for the choice of the composition, automakers often give their own recommendations regarding the care products for the leather interior of a car of a particular brand.
However, when choosing a product, you should focus on the type of leather, its quality and the period of operation of the car. Car dealerships today offer a wide range of seat care products. They can have a creamy or liquid consistency. You can also apply a tint cream to your skin to enhance the color.
Before you clean the upholstery with your own hands, you need to vacuum it up and only then distribute the cream. This should be done with a sponge or suede fabric. You need to rub in the product until it is completely absorbed. Excess composition must be removed with a dry cloth and wait until the applied product is completely dry.
Cleaning the velor interior
Velor is a fabric that is also often used for car seat upholstery. This material is made by interweaving five threads, four of which form the upper and lower warp, and the fifth is used to create pile.
How to clean a velor car interior with your own hands and what is required for this? Since the velor-like material retains dust well, it is worth using a powerful vacuum cleaner with soft attachments as a cleaning device.
If a stain appears on the velor fabric, you can remove it with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water. You can replace the soap base with any other composition that is free of alkalis and bleaching agents.
All actions during cleaning must be very delicate. It is undesirable to apply effort when cleaning, to press on the fabric, to pull out the nap. All this can damage the velor fabric. It is also advisable to get a brush or sticky roller and periodically collect hair and wool from the surface.
Cleaning fabric upholstery
Another frequent question among car owners: "How to clean the car interior with your own hands: folk remedies or a ready-made store composition?" In fact, both options will work for upholstery care, but if you can't get a cleaning liquid, you can prepare it yourself.
This will require dishwashing liquid and water, which must be taken in equal proportions. The resulting mixture should be placed in a spray bottle. Spray the product over the upholstery, holding the bottle at a distance of 15 cm from it. You can also use a toothbrush to clean the upholstery.
How to clean the fabric interior of a car with your own hands if there is persistent dirt on the upholstery? The second preparation method involves the use of soap, borax and hot water.
The soap must be grated and mixed with 6 tbsp. l. shavings with 2 tablespoons of borax. Pour hot water over the mixture. To give the product a light, unobtrusive scent, you can pour 10 drops of lavender ether into it. The resulting liquid must be cooled and slightly foamed with a whisk. Apply foam to stains with a brush or sponge. After the product has absorbed a little into the fabric, rinse it off with water and a clean cloth.
Cleaning the upholstery with a steam cleaner
If there are deeply ingrained dirt on the upholstery, you can clean up the interior with a steam cleaner. The device sprays hot water, which is immediately sucked back along with the dirt. Use the steam cleaner according to the instructions. As a cleaning solution, use a store-bought product or a vinegar-water-based liquid that you can make yourself.
It is necessary to change the water in the steam cleaner as often as possible so that the interior is always cleaned with a clean composition.
Can I use Vanish to clean upholstery?
One of the most common upholstery cleaning products is Vanish. This product is truly highly effective. It picks up dirt from carpets very well, which means it can be used for car seats too.
"Vanish" is a white powdery product. Its main purpose is to clean carpets, sofas and armchairs from dirt. It is also possible to clean the car interior with your own hands with "Vanish". To do this, it must be diluted in water until foam is obtained, applied to contaminated areas and allowed to dry. After the stains disappear, the composition must be washed off with water.
Preparing the salon for dry cleaning at home
Before applying any product to the upholstery, in particular "Vanish", you need to prepare the salon for such a procedure. In order to prevent the system from closing, the car must be muffled. It is also necessary to unload the car - empty the luggage compartment, remove the seats.
After everything is cleaned, you can start cleaning the seats. Having decided what means to clean the car interior with your own hands, you can proceed directly to the procedure itself.
In order for the seats to take on their original appearance, you need to distribute the selected tool on them. It can also be applied to armrests and headrests.
After rinsing, you can start cleaning the trunk, floor and other parts that are covered with a cloth.
Cleaning the vinyl interior
Vinyl upholstery is easy to clean. All you need to do is apply a window cleaner and wipe it down with a soft cloth. Thus, you need to clean each area. How to clean the interior with your own hands if it has vinyl upholstery and the dirt is very ingrained? To do this, you can take equal parts of baking soda and water and polish the surface.
The components are mixed to a paste-like state and only then are they distributed on the upholstery. Next, the mixture must be washed off with soapy water and wiped dry with a rag.
Oil-based cleaners should be avoided as vinyl upholstery can harden.
Use a toothbrush to clean the seams. In these places, there is an accumulation of dust and dirt, which cannot be removed by a vacuum cleaner. Therefore, a toothbrush soaked in cleaning liquid will definitely do the job.
Cleaning the interior with a vacuum cleaner
How to clean the car interior with your own hands if there are no obvious contaminants, but there is a large accumulation of dust in it? Wet and dry vacuum cleaners are suitable for this purpose. They usually have a long hose and a long cord, which makes cleaning the interior easier.
If such a device is not available in everyday life, you can use it at a car wash. Of course, you will have to pay for the use of such equipment. But as for mini-portable vacuum cleaners, their power is not always enough for full cleaning of the interior.
As attachments, those made of plastic are suitable. Metallic options should not be used as they can scratch or rip upholstery, especially leather or vinyl.
Dry cleaning of the ceiling
We figured out how to clean the car upholstery with our own hands. But as for the ceiling, it is advisable to use sprayers for this purpose. It is advisable to divide the ceiling into zones and clean each of them separately. A cleaning foam should be applied to each area. The duration is always indicated on the package. After that, the product is removed with a clean napkin.
All movements must be carried out in one direction. You need to start cleaning from the windshield towards the luggage compartment. are generally soft material that can lose their original appearance if not cleaned properly.
Conclusion
So, you know how to clean the car interior with your own hands. The main thing is to choose the right product, focusing on the type of upholstery and the nature of the pollution, and to carry out all actions very delicately.
You can make the salon shine on your own without paying for expensive procedures. The main thing is to stock up on time, rags, brushes and chemicals, which are sold at any gas station for 200-300 rubles. Moreover, the same set is used for professional dry-cleaning of the salon.
What you need to clean the interior
We have compiled a list of things and tools that are useful for cleaning a car dealership:
- Vacuum cleaner;
- A pair of rags, incl. microfiber;
- Compressed air cylinder (if necessary);
- Stiff brush;
- Medium hardness brush;
- Soft sponge;
- Capacity with water;
- Ceiling cleaner;
- Plastic cleaner;
- Seat cleaner (for leather or fabric);
- Composition for cleaning glasses;
- Floor cleaner;
- Stain remover / soap / dishwashing liquid / laundry detergent (for fabric interior);
- Soft napkins for the dashboard;
- Polish;
- Cream (for leather interior)
Prepare your things according to the list, set aside 2-3 hours of free time - and your car will shine!
Preparation
Remove the floor mats from the car. Shake out the rubber immediately, then wash. Clean fabrics with a stiff brush, then vacuum. Next, put the rugs in a clean, dry place and start cleaning.
We start cleaning the cabin from the top. First, vacuum. If somewhere the dirt does not want to leave the heated place, use a compressed air cylinder. Such sprays are used to clean keyboards, processors and other computer elements.
Wash the ceiling of the car at a time, completely. If washed in parts, streaks will remain.
Apply a cleaner to the ceiling to loosen the dirt. Wait 10 minutes and scoop up the dirt with a dry microfiber cloth. You should not use a vacuum cleaner - the ceiling may simply come off.
You cannot wash the ceiling with powder! It will bite into the fabric if it cannot be rinsed thoroughly. Powder particles will remain in the upholstery and turn yellow. In addition, there will be a smell that will intensify in the heat.
While the ceiling dries, tackle the plastic.
It is the plastic parts that accumulate dust in the passenger compartment. To remove it, wipe the elements with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Or use a special plastic cleaner on the sponge and wipe the parts with it.
The main thing is that there should not be a lot of moisture. Excess fluid will easily leak into buttons or gaps between elements, which can cause breakdowns.
Seat upholstery
Cleaning leather seats or leatherette upholstery is the quickest and easiest way. Light dirt can be easily washed off with a simple soapy solution. For stubborn stains, you need auto chemicals. The main thing is not to use hard brushes, otherwise the upholstery will deteriorate.
Apply the cleaner to the seat, wait 5 minutes and rinse off first with a damp sponge and then with a dry microfiber.
Clean fabric upholstery a little longer. To begin with, spray an aerosol on the seat, then rub it into the upholstery with a sponge or brush. The dirt is collected after 3-5 minutes with a damp microfiber. The main thing is to rinse the rag as often as possible.
If the fabric is light, clean the entire upholstery. So there will be no divorces.
You can also clean the upholstery with a washing vacuum cleaner, but the composition does not have time to "take", as it is immediately assembled. It is also not recommended to use powder - it is unrealistic to completely wash it. But really spoil the upholstery.
Let's talk about removing stains separately. There is a serious dirt, which is not difficult to remove even without car chemicals.
Coffee stains
Removing these stains is easy with regular dish soap or liquid soap. The main thing is not to rub too hard so as not to spoil the upholstery.
If the coffee stain has been on the seat for a long time, use heavy artillery: vinegar and water. Leave the solution for 10 minutes, then rinse well and dry. If you apply a napkin dipped in ethyl alcohol to the stain, the stain will disappear quickly.
Mud stains
Make sure the stain is completely dry so that the dirt does not smudge while cleaning. Remove dried dirt with a brush, then wield the cleaner. You can also use a special hand gel to remove stubborn dirt such as fuel oil, oils, soot, etc.
Greasy stains
Easy to clean with dish soap. If yours doesn't give in, use a mixture of water, ammonia and vinegar. Apply, wait 10 minutes and rinse with water. Dry well.
To remove a blood stain, wipe the stain with cold water. Once the stain is wet, apply soapy water and scrub with a brush. Rinse off the solution with warm water. Repeat the process if the stain is not washed off.
Covers
Fabric, velor covers are easiest to simply wash. If there are stains, wash them with plain powder with water or stain remover. If the cover is fluffy, wash, dry, and then comb.
Do not wash only genuine or artificial leather covers. It is enough to simply process them with auto chemistry or the same soap solution.
Doors
Now it was the turn to the door. Be sure to apply cleaner to sills, handles, pockets, seals. Wait a while and remove the dirt with a damp sponge, then wipe the doors with microfiber.
After cleaning the glasses with a product containing alcohol, then also wipe with a dry microfiber.
Floor
It is better to clean the floor in the cabin with a vacuum cleaner with different attachments. Remove stubborn stains with a stiff brush and special compounds.
The finish
The salon is almost ready, there is only one little thing left: to put the polish on it.
Wipe the dashboard with special soft napkins. Microfiber can leave lint or dust particles, paper towels can scratch plastic.
Apply polish to a soft sponge, spread over the plastic parts. Apply sparingly, otherwise it will attract a lot of dust.
Leather seats can be treated with a special cream to add shine and softness.
Finally, open the doors, dry the interior. You can also use a hairdryer. After - put down the rugs.
At the end of cleaning, feel free to show the car to customers - it's nice to be in a clean car!
Did you like the material? Leave your comments at the bottom of the article.
Today advertising articles are literally full of photos before / after cleaning the car, and of course everyone wants to get such a tangible result on their car. Moreover, modern technologies make it possible to care for various materials as safely, efficiently and relatively inexpensively as possible.
But it is worth noting that the same dry cleaning of the interior of your car from a specialist can cost more than one thousand rubles. And if you can afford to spend some time and money, then it is quite possible to get by on your own.
In the article we will consider how to clean your "swallow" in the salon on our own, without resorting to the services of specialists, and we will find out what materials we need for this.
Car interior dry cleaning at home
Initially, you should decide on the goal: for example, if you need to superficially remove several dirt, then a few hours of time and a special cleaning agent will be enough. But if there is a desire to return the car to factory cleanliness, then it will be necessary to carry out a complete dismantling of the seats in order to get to hard-to-reach places.
Second, it will take some time to find the right detergent that suits your interior and upholstery. Since products suitable for a fabric interior are strongly discouraged from using a leather interior.
Also, from the necessary equipment for cleaning, you will need a vacuum cleaner and special attachments for seats and hard-to-reach places.
How to clean the car interior?
Everything is not so complicated here, because there are only two types of means for such work: professional "chemistry" and improvised means. If you have already managed to pay attention in car dealerships before, the shelves are literally overflowing with goods for interior cleaning: from polish for plastic to solutions for deep cleaning of seats.
The list of the best and most popular quality dry cleaning products includes the following: LIQUI MOLY, High Gear, SONAX and others.
Can Vanish be used for upholstery?
If the fabric interior of your car has not too deep and old dirt, then it is recommended to use a special Vanish carpet cleaner. It will not only help to perfectly clean the surface from unwanted stains of various origins, but also give a pleasant aroma.
Adhere to the following algorithm when using this tool:
- Read Vanish Dilution Guidelines carefully, combine with water as shown and stir thoroughly.
- Apply the resulting foam evenly with a brush on the upholstery and rub gently in a circular motion over the entire fabric of the interior.
- After the foam is completely dry, take a vacuum cleaner and thoroughly brush the entire surface with a brush, removing any residual product.
Remember that Vanish is not suitable for cleaning leather interiors, but in this case it will do a great job on carpets.
Cleaning the interior of the car at home
If, for one reason or another, it is not possible to purchase a special product for home dry cleaning, you can try using the available tools available in almost every home:
- A solution of vinegar (1 teaspoon per glass of water) is ideal for removing alcohol or biological stains.
- 90 percent alcohol can help remove tough ink or cosmetic stains.
- Pharmacy ammonia will easily remove traces of coffee traces.
Step-by-step instructions for cleaning the interior at home
If you have not yet had experience in this area, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the sequential tactics of cleaning and cleaning the car interior with your own hands. Logically, you need to start cleaning the ceiling first, as dripping dirty water can stain previously cleaned seats and floors.
Naturally, first you need to turn off the engine and remove the key to avoid possible electrical shorts during wet processing. Remember the need to free the trunk from unnecessary packages and tools.
We begin to clean the ceiling by gently removing dirt and debris from rubber seals, lighting fixtures, doorways, etc. with a soft bristly brush. It's easy to guess that this garbage will fly in all directions, so if you don't need to remove the seats, just cover them with plastic or bags to avoid unnecessary contamination.
After cleaning the ceiling, you can proceed to the chairs and the floor. If you only need to clean a few stains or freshen up the seat upholstery in general, treat the area with the special products mentioned above.
When cleaning the floor, remove all rubber mats and thoroughly vacuum the coating, if necessary, remove stains using the previously described method with Vanish. The final action of cleaning the interior will be wet wiping of plastic parts: dashboard, door panels, etc.
The final stage is drying the interior. This is a fairly important process that directly depends on environmental conditions. For example, in the summer, in the sun, the interior of a car can completely dry out in a couple of hours with the doors and trunk open.
conclusions
We have briefly described the most important aspects of home dry cleaning of your car interior. As you can see, with the correct use of special equipment and thanks to the constructed action plan, you can achieve an excellent result without overpaying extra money for professional cleaning.
At the same time, you will not be limited in time and space.
Photo instruction on how to clean the car interior
Useful Tips
Most drivers know how important it is to keep the car clean, especially the interior of the car.
But there is not always the time and opportunity to call into a car wash, but if you do not want your car to be cleaned with all sorts of chemicals, then even more so.
There are ways to clean your car interior naturally, and these methods are not only good for your health, but also for your wallet.
How to clean a car interior
1. If you want to clean car mats and upholstery, you can mix baking soda and white vinegar in equal proportions.
* Apply the resulting paste to the dirty areas and use an old toothbrush to clean the fabric properly.
* Then use a vacuum cleaner to clean everything up.
Read also: 20 ways to use an old toothbrush
2. Use a foam brush to clean the ventilation holes in the machine.
* For greater cleanliness, go over the same areas with a vacuum cleaner.
3. Instead of using the hazardous chemicals found in various leather chair cleaning sprays, use a few drops of olive oil.
* Apply a couple of drops to a clean rag and start rubbing.
* Olive oil can also be used to clean the plastic parts of the car.
4. To get rid of pet hair, you can use a vacuum cleaner, but even better, use a window scraper and a spray container filled with water.
* Apply some water to the seat and use a window scrubber to scoop up the fur.
5. Car air fresheners contain toxic substances.
* Instead, you can create a mixture of 5 drops of essential oils that you like best (lavender, tea tree, etc.) and 3/4 cup baking soda
* Take a small jar, make a few holes in the lid, pour your natural mixture inside, and place the jar in the cup holder.
* You can also use coffee or coffee beans. You can use a perforated bag or small pouch instead of a jar.
We clean the car
6. Do you have dirty windshield wipers?
* To ensure that the wipers are,as good as new, just wipe them with an alcohol solution. This will also prevent further contamination.
7. If you have drips or dirty streaks on your car windows, pour vinegar into a spray bottle and let it brew a little.
* After that, apply vinegar to the windows and wipe the glass well with newspaper.
How to clean a car
8. To keep your chrome wheels shiny as new, make a mixture of water and vinegar (in equal proportions) and fill it with a spray bottle.
* Apply the mixture to the discs and wipe thoroughly with a cloth.
Not all motorists treat their cars exclusively as a means of transportation. For many, a vehicle is also a second home, the orderliness and tidiness of which should be constantly taken care of.
It's good if it feels great. But it's even better if it looks decent.
Unfortunately, after some time of operation, the interior of the car becomes dirty, overgrown with various spots, each of which has its own story, gathers dust and does not look as wonderful as before.
To clean the interior of the car, you can contact a company that is engaged in dry cleaning of interiors, but we will tell you about how to clean the car interior with your own hands.
Pros of self cleaning
Many car owners do not understand why to spend their own time and energy on cleaning the car, if this business can be entrusted to professionals.
But self-service dry cleaning has one significant advantage: it is much cheaper. Therefore, if saving money is more important for you than saving energy, feel free to start washing the interior of your "iron horse".
Also, some motorists believe that it is impossible to clean a car on their own as well as they will do it in the cabin. After all, special units are used for work there.
In fact, from the special means, only auto chemicals for cleaning the car interior will be useful to you. In all other respects, the materials at hand will help.
So, if our arguments convinced you to clean the interior of your car yourself, feel free to start the process, because it is not as complicated as it seems initially.
Preparation
If you do not have a car vacuum cleaner that plugs into a cigarette lighter, then it is better to clean in a box that has a power outlet.
Before proceeding directly to cleaning, prepare the interior. This is done as follows:
- We turn off the engine.
- We take out the ignition key.
- Turn off the radio (This will help us to prevent a short circuit of electricity in the car system. After all, when washing you will use foam).
- Unloading the car interior.
- We take out the garbage that you can take in your hand.
- (This is done for the convenience of cleaning the space).
- We process all the glasses with soapy water.
This will help to avoid deterioration of transparent surfaces that can occur due to exposure to cleaning chemicals.
Dry cleaning
Now that our car is de-energized and rid of carpets and debris, we proceed to dry cleaning it.
Vacuum cleaner
We connect the vacuum cleaner. It is advisable to use a regular vacuum cleaner that plugs into an outlet. You don't have to turn on the car for it to work.
We vacuum the interior. We pay special attention to hard-to-reach places. If they are not cleaned, dust accumulated there during driving will fall out onto a clean surface and ruin the neat appearance of the car.
Wipe off the dust
Then we need to take a dry cloth, preferably microfiber, and wipe the hard panels of the car with it. Such a rag sweeps away dust very well, leaving no tracks behind.
Dry cleaning
To carry out this operation, prepare a vehicle interior cleaner in advance.
Car interior cleaning chemicals differ in characteristics and prices. The most popular are the products of the Profoam company.
We draw your attention to the fact that the products of this manufacturer are available with different markings. They always indicate the type of surface that the chemical can be used to clean. Therefore, carefully read the information on the packaging.
If you decide to opt for a budget cleaning solution, test it on a small piece of cloth first. This will make sure that the product will not leave any ugly stains behind.
Ceiling
ATTENTION. Perform all work with rubber gloves.
We divide the ceiling into conditional zones. This will make the cleaning process more structured and convenient. In turn, we apply our chemical to these areas. Most likely it will be foamy.
Then you need to wait a while for the car interior cleaner to take effect. How long to wait is written in the instructions for the product.
After waiting, we can get rid of the foam. To do this, you need to take a white rag, which must be dry and clean. Little by little we erase the foam from the ceiling.
If you feel that the cloth of the rag is damp, replace it.
When skimming the foam, make sure that your hands always move in the same direction. This is necessary so as not to disturb the fleecy pattern of the upholstery.
If you notice that the stain has not been washed out somewhere, repeat the cleaning procedure in this area.
The rest of the salon
Experienced motorists recommend cleaning the upholstery of doors, floors and using stronger chemicals. After all, these surfaces get dirty very intensely. However, if you decide to perform dry cleaning with the maximum economy, then you can use the same foam that you used to clean the ceiling.
The cleaning method for these elements is practically no different from the previous one. We also divide the interior into zones, apply a cleaning agent, remove it with a white dry cloth after a certain period of time.
If there are stains on fabric surfaces that will be very difficult to remove with an ordinary cleaner, it is better to immediately buy one of Walzer products. These chemicals are not afraid of any contamination.
If, on the other hand, there are no greasy and particularly corrosive stains in the interior, you can clean it with a conventional steam vacuum cleaner. However, this is a very weak method and will not allow you to overcome stubborn dirt.
Leather or vinyl seats
The product used to clean the upholstery is not suitable for leather or vinyl. To clean these surfaces, you will have to buy a separate solution.
Keep in mind, however, that these materials are renowned for their ease of cleaning. To save money when washing them, you can use mild soap or shampoo and water.
Better to invest in a leather conditioner. Since it is really necessary. It will prevent the material from cracking.
If you still decide not to skimp on a chemical for cleaning such a surface, take a look at Step Up or Hi-Gear, which have a good reputation among the competitive range of similar liquids.
It is noteworthy that when using such products, you do not need to purchase an air conditioner additionally. It is enough to apply them to the surface, wait until the active particles remove the dirt from the deepest layers, and wipe everything off with a dry cloth. You don't need anything after that.
Plastic
Now that the fabric parts of your car's interior already look clean and smell fresh, it's time to clean the plastic surfaces.
Cleaning the plastic of the car interior is also carried out using special means.
It is recommended to clean the buttons with cotton swabs or toothbrushes. To allow fine bristles to penetrate all gaps. However, when using the brush, do not apply as much pressure as possible. Friction can wear off the lettering on the keys.
If you want to save money on the purchase of specialty chemicals, you can use alcoholic medical wipes or wipes for cleaning monitors. They are also good at removing dirt from the panels.
A steam vacuum cleaner can be used to remove dirt from plastic. In this case, it will not even be necessary to arm yourself with a brush or cotton swabs. A directed jet of steam will perfectly replace the bristles and penetrate into all crevices.
Drying
After all these manipulations, it remains to dry the car interior. Note that this will take about seven hours. The car should spend this time with the doors open.
But such measures will not help get rid of. It will disappear on its own, but a little later. You can fight it with ordinary air fresheners.
By the way, some motorists like the smell of foam chemicals and don't try to eliminate them.
Car interior dry cleaning is not for the lazy. But any person, if desired, is able to cope with it. The main thing is that self-cleaning helps to save significant amounts of money for car owners, which means it is always justified.
We hope that our tips will help you get your car interior in order. We would be grateful if you share your tricks for cleaning the interior of the car in the comments.
