
Many of us live a significant portion of our lives in the car, so we might as well consider it a mobile living room. Except it’s a living room that comes in constant contact with the germs and grit of the outside world. When considered as an extension of your home, you’d hope it would benefit from the same cleaning routine. But, we know this isn’t always the case.
If it’s been a while since the inside of car has seen a vacuum, there is evidence to suggest that your car may be carrying some unwanted passengers – of the microscopic variety. Freshen up the inside of your ride by trying out some of our clean-car tips below.
Conquer clutter.
It’s difficult to do a deep-clean of your vehicle with a vacuum and scrub brush when clutter is in the way. Clutter not only gives dirt and bacteria more surfaces to live on, but it can be distracting to drivers. And stressful. Removing excess clutter is the very first step to taking pride in your ride.
Resist the road snacks.
We can all appreciate the value of a good car snack. And with your eyes on the road, you may not notice just how many crumbs are getting lost in your car. These crumbs, and yesterday’s half-finished coffee (it’s ok, you don’t have to admit it), fuel the growth of bacteria. If you can’t resist the road snacks, try to minimize the evidence. Remove food wrappers or trash right away, make sure drink containers are spill-proof, and vacuum in the deep cracks and crevices with a thin, telescoping vacuum attachment.
Keep your child seats clean.
Fun fact: those iconic fish-shaped crackers are the number one item found in children’s car seats. On a smaller scale, car seats also carry an average of 100 different types of microscopic passengers. Always check with the car seat manufacturer prior to cleaning, and pick a time when it won’t be needed for 12-24 hours, so it has ample time to dry. Take a picture of the set-up before removing from your vehicle, and rely on the manufacturer’s guide and your picture to be sure the car seat is re-installed correctly.
Let the fresh air in.
When your cabin air filter is dirty or clogged, it actually makes the air quality inside your car worse than the air outside. A dirty filter traps dust, pollen, and exhaust fumes inside your vehicle. What’s more, over time a restricted air filter can cause issues with the vehicle’s HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) system. Ask your dealership or take a look at your owner’s manual to determine how often your cabin air filter should be replaced. Most should function well for 12,000 to 15,000 miles. Make an appointment with your dealership to get a new filter installed.
How do you keep your car fresh and clean? Let us know in the comments below!
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Comments
David D. on March 28, 2017 at 12:21am
After a good vacuum & a shot of febreeze, I usually put 2 or 3 dryer sheets under both seats.
Ally on March 28, 2017 at 10:07am
Great ideas, David! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Cynthia on April 18, 2017 at 7:18pm
Great, I'm in the habit of keeping my car clean, and dust free, good advice. Thanks
Ally on April 20, 2017 at 12:51pm
Hi Cynthia, that's great! Kudos on the clean car!
Micah B. on August 15, 2017 at 6:10pm
Great advice for keeping that new car clean! @ToyotaTulsa
ASE a. on August 29, 2017 at 8:51am
These articles contain an expensive mistake. They refer you to the car dealer! If you want to save money go to a local independent garage near home where you will get professional service by a licensed technician who is part of your community.
Nasir M. on September 11, 2017 at 10:10pm
Can someone tells me how to keep my car fresh from inside. I mean what should be the best solution to keep it fresh. I've tried everything. I think the best thing is to use soaked towel with shampoo water.
Jerry D. on January 21, 2018 at 2:11pm
You have a lot of money invested in your vehicle(s) why not take care of it. It also makes me feel better when my vehicle is clean inside and out. How many times have you seen a clean car and the wheels and tires are dirty. If you're going to do it, do it right.
Ally on January 22, 2018 at 10:58am
We couldn't agree more, Jerry! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Lary C. on March 25, 2019 at 3:10am
Hey, these are some great tips you've shared about keeping your car clean this spring. Thanks for sharing them. It is also important to keep a car freshener in your car and timely have it cleaned or ventilated.
Ally on March 26, 2019 at 2:33pm
Hi Lary, we’re so glad that you found this helpful! Also, thanks for sharing your own tip. :)