If you think about it, your car interior is more than just a place to sit… it’s a place where you spend heaps of time, reflecting on your day, mentally resolving a workplace conflict, deciding on what to feed your family or where to go on holiday, and much more. The last thing you want, in your happy, private me-time space, are crumbs, empty wrappers, sticky drink holders, a stained ceiling, creeping mould, and worse.  

It’s easy enough to allow the inside of your car turn into a veritable dustbin over time. The thing is, whether you’re commuting to work, taking a road trip, or simply running errands, keeping your car’s interior clean, well-maintained, and comfortable is essential for a pleasant driving experience.  

Let’s explore a few practical tips and techniques to help you care for your car’s interior, ensuring that it maintains its value and provides a comfortable environment for you and your passengers. 

Why Does This Matter? 

At the end of the day, isn’t it just the inside of a car? Well, yes and no. There are times when you should cut yourself some slack and tend to the more important things in life – instead of wiping down your steering wheel. However, it’s good to come back to it and give everything a good cleaning. Why? Well, regularly cleaning and maintaining your car’s interior can enhance your driving experience by removing clutter, odours, and sticky textures that shouldn’t be there. Not only does it make the drive more pleasant, but it can also keep you safer by eliminating distractions.  

Added to that, keeping your car clean can also help preserve its resale value. Think about it. Would you pay a higher price for a car that has a funky smell and looks like the seller eats, sleeps, and lives in it? Or would you expect to pay less? 

Essentially, by investing a little time and effort into caring for your car interior, you can ensure it remains in top condition. 

Establish A Routine 

The first step is actually the easiest, in that all you need do is establish a regular cleaning routine. You can choose what this looks like to you, but if you’re unsure, we would say that you should aim to remove all trash daily and the clutter (like kids shoes, notebooks, toys, etc.) on a weekly basis. You should also vacuum the carpets and upholstery, and wipe down hard surfaces such as the dashboard and center console with a microfibre cloth at least once a week.  

Now, once a month is when you can do a deeper clean as this will prevent little messes from setting in and becoming stubborn stains. A deep clean means bringing out the big guns in the form of a car interior cleaner (or a mild soap) or a dedicated leather cleaner and conditioner for leather seats. Just keep in mind that persistent stains could need a professional detailing service.  

Get Preventative  

Once you have the timing down, you should take steps to be proactive. For starters, invest in a tiny trash can or mini trash bags so that wrappers and apple cores don’t live on the floor or in the consoles. Next, protect the surfaces from UV damage, fading, and cracking by applying a high-quality dashboard protectant or conditioner to prevent the dashboard from becoming brittle and discoloured. For your leather seats, rub in a conditioner regularly to keep the material supple and prevent premature aging. 

A more intense preventative measure is window tinting. It can be on the more expensive side, but a quality tinting film or professional tinted service will keep the interior looking its best. 

Dealing With Odours 

Arguably, nasty smells are worse than when you have enough sand on the floors to rival your favourite beach. There are no two ways about it, an unpleasant odour can quickly make your car interior uncomfortable. Ideally, your new routine of cleaning and vacuuming will combat any lingering smells. You can also hang up an air freshener or one of those odour eliminator devices specifically designed for car interiors. These are particularly amazing if you smoke in your car.  

Another solution is to use a car air purifier, but don’t underestimate that not leaving trash or food in your car for extended periods can be just as refreshing.  

Comfort And Convenience 

It might not be the most important consideration, but the fact is that a well-maintained car interior not only looks great but also provides a comfortable driving experience. If you’re behind the steering wheel for long periods of time, you should think about getting seat covers or cushions to enhance comfort, especially on long drives. You could also organise your car’s storage spaces, like the glove compartment and center console, to keep these areas mess-free and the essential items within easy reach. 

Feeling Informed? 

We would say that caring for your car interior is a really important aspect of vehicle ownership, and thankfully, all it takes is a little effort and attention. Once this becomes habit, you’ll be able to preserve the value of your car and enjoy a comfortable driving experience for years to come.  

As an added precaution, you could also get an AA Warranty and Insurance quotes. Don’t forget that AA Inform is home to all sorts of useful information and tools to help you make informed choices in your everyday life.  

Do you want to know the value of your vehicle? Get your free vehicle valuation report.

Stay informed, stay savvy.