When you drive your new car off the lot of your Toyota dealer, you can keep that new car feel going for years with a little loving care. Here are a few handy bits of advice for maintaining a clean car interior.
Toyota Dealer’s 6 Tips for Keeping a Clean Car Interior
1. Vacuum Often
Dirt and crumbs can stain your car’s interior, cause hard-to-remove odors, and eventually diminish the auto’s resale value. Vacuuming these substances before they accumulate is one of the best steps you can take. Small car vacuums intended for a less spacious interior work well for this step. Don’t neglect your car mats, as they arguably accumulate more dirt than any other part of your car.
For harder-to-reach places, you may want to use a small brush for upholstery or crevice tools attached to your vacuum. These devices can get between seats, in cracks, and in corners. You will benefit from vacuuming seats first and then turning your attention to the carpets.
2. Take Out the Trash
Relieving your car of garbage such as plastic bottles or food cartons is the easiest action for maintaining a clean interior. If you are performing this task in correlation with other cleaning tasks, come prepared with a large trash bag or two.
Placing some auto air freshener in your car after the trash is gone can keep those nuisance odors at bay.
3. Clean the Console
Your console, dashboard, steering wheel, and door areas receive the most frequent handling. Fingerprints, smudges, and dirt and grime build up in these areas. With some household cleaner (about 70 percent alcohol-based) and a clean cloth or cleaning wipes, you can diminish damage to these important interior areas. Save the dirtiest parts for last so you can devote extra time to getting these areas grunge-free.
4. Apply Stain Removers
Simple vacuuming may not remove all the damage from cloth or leather seats. If your seats are stained, they may need a deeper cleaning. You should avoid getting seats overly damp because these conditions can lead to odors, mold, and mildew.
Cloth seats may be cleaned with a foaming carpet cleaner or with products that treat laundry stains. For leather seats, however, make sure to use a cleaner specifically for leather and apply with a rag or towel. Drying should be done with a cloth made of microfiber. Leather seats will also benefit from leather conditioners that prevent cracking and aging.
5. Wash Windows
Cleaning your interior windows and windshield enhances your visibility and keeps you better protected while driving. When you are choosing a window cleaner, try to stay away from products containing ammonia because this substance can warp plastics.
With your chosen spray bottle and a microfiber cloth in hand, begin cleaning from the top down so you will not be creating drips on your already-clean surfaces. Also, remember to crack your windows a bit so you can clean the very top surface as well.
6. Clean Semi-Annually
On average, your car will need a more thorough cleaning about twice a year. If you cannot meet this schedule or are too busy, consider consulting with a professional auto detailer.
Trust the professionals for all your car product or car maintenance needs. Visit Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota near Knoxville and our service department will assist you with your most pressing auto problems or questions.
Connect with us
