Keeping your car clean can seem like the most time-consuming task in the world, particularly when you are busy during the week. So in this post, we will explore some of the best ways to keep the interior/exterior of your car clean and how to keep it organized.
Ways To Clean The Interior Of Your Car
Cleaning the interior of your car can be easy and quick–it’s all about finding the most efficient methods and best tools (many of which can be items you have right at home!).
Use a foam paintbrush to dust car vents
Air vents in cars can become very dusty over time. However, the narrow slots make it difficult to clean with a rag. You can use a small sponge paintbrush, soaked in cleaner, to give you extra reach. These brushes are available for less than $7 on Amazon or at Home Depot.
Use a Magic Eraser to Clean Vinyl
You can use a magic eraser to remove scuff marks from your car. It can be used on leather that has been oiled, but it is not recommended for use on leather that has been worn, dyed, or thin.
Make sure you don’t use magic erasers on your paint finishes, clear coats, or cars with clear car bras.
Car Slime
You might be wrong if you believe slime is only for the kiddies. Slime’s natural malleability means that you can use it to clean up dirt and dust from your car’s most difficult-to-reach places without making a mess.
Coffee filters can be used for dusting
It’s easy to dust, but it can be difficult if your cloth spreads lint all over. The amazing quality of coffee filters makes it easy to pick up dust. There’s no need to spend a lot on expensive car cleaners.
The coffee filter’s lint-free material is ideal for wiping the dashboards of cars, as well as other parts. You can try it out for yourself to find out!
Lysol for bad odors
Spraying Lysol disinfectant in your air conditioner’s intake can get rid of the unpleasant odors. Spray the can evenly for 2 minutes over the inlets, then turn them on for 1-2 minutes.
Clean car vents with compressed air
If you don’t like the above brushes, then a can compressed air is an easy and quick way to clean your vents. For a deeper clean, you can spray a disinfectant enzyme cleaner. There are many options! You can see a video guide here.
Use a squeegee and water spray bottle to clean up animal hair
You can use a spray bottle with water and a squeegee to get rid of hair from pets who are often in your car. This is a great way of gathering it up and getting rid of it quickly. It prevents your furry friends from getting their hair all over your car seats, cover them with a blanket.
Brush Dirt & Grime Out Using A Toothbrush
Using a toothbrush to remove dirt and grime between seams is a great way to clean your vehicle. You can use any type of toothbrush, even a $1 one.
You’ll be able to clean your car seat quickly and easily by gently brushing the dirt. After brushing, rinse off the dirt with water.
Homemade Carpet Stain Remover
Stains from spills, dirty shoes, and pet urine can make your car carpets look dirty and stained. You can make your own carpet cleaner with two ingredients. It will be super effective and leave your car smelling great.
You only need a bit of hydrogen peroxide and lemon essential oil. Add 1 ½ cups of hydrogen peroxide, ½ cup of lemon juice, and 10 drops of lemon essential oil to a spray bottle and apply it to the carpet to get rid of stains.
DIY Leather Cleaning Solution
Here’s another DIY leather cleaning solution. It will restore your leather to its original glory.
Castile soap, dishwashing liquid, water and a spray bottle are all you need. Combine them in a spray bottle or bucket and spray the leather lightly with them. You will see that the stains disappear when you wipe them off.
Clean Cup Holders with Windex
Cup holders can be quite gross and grimy. It’s easy to clean cup holders by attaching a torn cloth to a small travel cup and wiping it with Windex. Simply twist the cloth around in the holder and any stuck items will fall off.
Pet Seat Hammock
This seat cover will protect the upholstery of your car if you’re bringing furry friend along for a ride. This cover is waterproof and won’t move around (which can cause dander clumps in the back seat). It’s also comfortable for pets…a win-win situation.
Use a screwdriver to clean out small crevices
You might want to clean out the cracks and crevices that have built up dirt over time. You can do this easily with a flathead drill. Use a cloth to collect the dirt, and use the screwdriver get inside those cracks.
Sprinkle baking soda on seats prior to vacuuming
Bad car odors can ruin your driving experience and make it difficult to give someone a lift. Baking soda can be used to absorb the stench from the upholstery and carpets of your car. Sprinkle a little, let it sit for 15-30 mins, and then vacuum the car as usual.
Clean the ashtray
To avoid the smell of cigarette smoke overcoming your car, make it a habit of cleaning out your car’s ashtray. Spray some rubbing alcohol on the ashtray and then wipe it down with index.
DIY Car Floor Mat Cleaners
You can give your floor mats a new lease of life by washing them. You just need to brush off the dirt and dust, then put the mats in your washer, add detergent or spray some stain removal, and let the machine do the rest.
Ways To Clean The Exterior Of Your Car
Now that you’ve cleaned your car’s interior, it’s time to get to work on its exterior using these easy and budget-friendly hacks.
Use a microfiber cloth to clean your windshield
Improve your windshield visibility by wiping the glass with a damp cloth (dampened with vinegar), then drying it with a microfiber glass wiper. This will remove any streaks and is cheaper than a window cleaner.
Use baby wipes to clean windows
Baby wipes are a great alternative to streak-free windows that don’t require too much effort. Surprisingly, one wipe can do a lot. The alcohol in most wipes keeps your windows clean and streak-free. Keep a spare pack with you on your next trip and take it with you.
Use WD-40 to get rid of dead bugs
WD-40 can be used to remove dead insects from your car’s grill after you have gone on a road trip. A little bit of WD-40 can be sprayed on your car’s grill to remove the bugs and grime.
Spray some WD-40 onto your car’s roof or hood, then wash it with soapy water to get rid of tree sap, bird droppings, dust, and dirt. You can also spray old bumper stickers with WD-40.
Use Conditioner To Wash Your Car
A cheap hair conditioner is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable and effective car soap. It contains lanolin, a type of wax that will shine your car in no time. It will help you avoid water spots from rain or dew.
Toothpaste For The Headlights
Plastic lenses can become dull and dirty from UV rays and rain, which combine with road grit and road salt. They might also become foggy from oxidization. This is similar to plaque buildup and toothpaste is great for this.
You can maintain the proper function of your headlights and keep them clear for a clear view by cleaning them with toothpaste. Use a clean rag to rub the toothpaste all over the headlights. After removing the toothpaste, rinse the headlights with warm water to remove any lingering residue (and reduce spots).
Use A Microfiber Mitt To Clean Your Car
Sometimes scratches can be caused by running your car through an automated car wash. Do yourself a solid and wash your car by hand using quality soap, water and a microfiber glove.
You’ll be able to clean your car in a matter of minutes and it will be free of smudges and scratches. These mitts are very handy and can hold a lot of water to clean your car.
Use Goo-Gone to remove car stickers
It is more difficult to remove stickers than it is to put them on. You’ll want remove the adhesive, but not the paint finish.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to simply a white and a sticker with a wet paper towel or cloth. Then go over the sticker using a rag (preferably a towel b/c they’re rougher) and Goo-Gone.
Use Rubbing Alcohol to Clean Wiper Blades
Road dirt, debris, and unearthed stones can build up over time, causing your wipers to fail. Your wipers will streak across your windshield due to this grime.
To keep your wiper blades clean, soak a microfiber cloth in rubbing alcohol. Then wipe the blades of your car with the cloth. This will get rid of any residue or soapy film that may have been left on the rubber.
Make An Awesome DIY Rim Cleaner
To make it, mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon dishsoap, and 2 cups of warm water in a small bowl to make your car’s rims shine. Use a sponge or towel to gently scrub your tires and hubcaps. Your rims (whether they’re cheap or expensive) will look brand new once you rinse them off with water. And be sure to dry them with a towel.
Creative Ways To Organize Your Car
After you clean your car, you’ll want to keep it organized. So here are a few ways to do just that!
Buy A Trunk Organizer
This is a great way to organize your car. Everything is now easily accessible and organized so you don’t need to search through your huge purse for the right box of bandaids.
You can use it for auto tools, shoes, camping equipment, whatever! Now doesn’t that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside? Buy one of these organizers on Amazon.
Glove Box Organization
Organize all your important documents for your car in your glove box. Keep car registration, license copies (in case you lose or forget it), insurance papers, paperwork, road service contacts, and other car-related docs in there. Use envelopes and folders to organize it.
Car Trash Can
These items are very affordable, use them to temporarily trash things so you can throw them away when you get near a trash can or home. Or you can use a small bathroom trash can and keep it on the floor in the back.
Command Hooks
To keep trash off the ground, a command hook is a must-have. It holds a bag and allows trash to be easily disposed of. This allows you to hang plastic or paper bags and keep them in place. You’ll also have a place to hold car trash.
Use leftover candle wax to freshen your car’s air.
Another easy way to refresh your car’s air and create the best car smell–place a scented candle inside your car’s cupholder. When the wax melts from hot weather, the car will smell amazing!
Mini Car Vacuum
Lightweight and portable vacuums are affordable and best for your car because most car floors will gather dirt and debris on a daily basis. The powerful suction of this cleaner leaves no debris on your floors, upholstery, or in difficult-to-reach places.
Having your own mini vacuum will make it more convenient to clean out your car when you have random spills or want to clean it before you head out. This way you won’t have to find the nearest gas station or car flash to do it (and you won’t have to wait in line).
Complete Car Care Kit
This 12-piece car care kit is for you if you love to be prepared for ANY situation. This kit includes car shampoo, car wax, and tire cleaner. It will keep your ride clean, and it’s an awesome value for the money.
