Keeping Your Car Interior Looking Nice: 4 things you need to know

Lookin’ good!
With a hectic life, how is one to master keeping your car interior looking nice? There are 4 things you need to know that will have you opening your auto doors to a spic and span interior.

Let’s face it. A messy car is almost as embarrassing as a messy basement. While only your closest friends and family typically see your basement when it’s in disrepair, sometimes you’ll offer a friend or acquaintance to carpool and then remember: “My car is a mess!” You apologize as you clear off the passenger seat and throw items in the back, which looks like a mini landfill. “I apologize for the mess,” you say. “It’s usually not this messy…”

After you follow these tips for keeping your car interior looking nice, you’ll notice a big difference and you’ll start hearing, “Nice car!”

What car detailing entails
Car detailing means cleaning the interior and exterior of your vehicle.

Why detailing is important
Detailing makes your car look almost like new and helps eliminate odors and stains.

Get your car interior detailed regularly and you avoid expensive problems, such as upholstery cracks and stains, in the future. Detailing also helps retain your car’s value.

The 4 things you need to know:

1. How often your car should be professionally detailed
2. Which products help protect and/or clean your car & what NOT to use
3. How to get your windows streak free
4. Cabin air filters will make your car smell good

How often your car should be professionally detailed
A key to keeping your car interior looking nice is having it detailed every four to six months. The exact frequency depends on your car, the amount of traffic the interior sees (your personal work vehicle or a family vehicle, etc.), and how often you personally take the time to clean your auto’s interior.

TIP: Have you car detailed before selling it.

Which products help protect and/or clean your car & what NOT to use
Dirt, pollen, sap, bird droppings, and other debris will find its way not only onto your car, but into it as well. Regularly wipe off not only your car’s exterior, but also its interior to save money as you’ll need to have it professionally detailed less often. Instead, collect products to clean your car yourself!

Recommended products:
• Car wash soaps
• Car waxes
• Leather cleaners (if applicable)
• Microfiber window cleaning cloths
• Armor All glass cleaner
• Meguiar’s glass cleaner
• Meguiar’s glass cleaner concentrate*

*Note: When mixing water with cleaner concentrate, use distilled water.

Additional recommended products:
• Invisible Glass Reach and Clean Tool
• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
• Clay Magic Detailing Clay

How to get your windows streak free
Want smudge-free and streak-free windows? Of course you do! Here’s how to achieve the shiny new window look.

Inside car windows:
1. Clean windows with rubbing alcohol/distilled water mixture using Miracle Eraser pads. Spray mixture onto windows and scrub. If you have tinted windows, wipe gently.
2. Wipe windows with your damp microfiber cloth with regular tap water or distilled water.
3. Fold a window cleaning cloth twice to form a square or rectangle. Use one side for wet application and keep the other side dry for moisture removal.
4. Spritz 1-3 sprays of window cleaner onto your car window.
5. Wipe each window.
6. Flip over cloth to buff windows with the dry side of cloth.
7. Repeat if windows are still dirty.

Outside car windows:
• Use detailing clay, such as Clay Magic Detailing Clay.

More window cleaning tips:
• When it comes to window rubber, avoid contact with your window cloth as this can transfer the rubber material onto your car windows.
• Don’t wash in direct sunlight or wash a hot car.
• Don’t use your drying towel to remove dirt you missed while washing your car.
• Use an automotive-specific wash rather than dish soap or detergent.
• Use an ammonia-free glass cleaner.
• Use microfiber towels rather than a chamois.
• Clean your towel after use without fabric softener.

Cabin air filters will make your car smell good
Keeping your car interior looking nice, also entails ensuring it smells good. Cabin air filters clean the air that comes into the interior through the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system by collecting dust, pollen, and debris, including leaves, twigs, insects, pollen, soot, and grime.

Having your cabin air filters cleaned will remove odors and make you breathe easier in your car, especially if you or your passengers have asthma or respiratory issues.

Replace your filter every 12,000 or 15,000 miles or check your owner’s manual. This timeline is influenced by the environment you’re usually driving in.

Signs that you need a new filter include:
• Reduced air flow
• Persistent unpleasant odors

Contact us
Need to your car detailed or have a cleaning question? Give us a call! Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is always happy to help!

Links:
https://www.newroads.ca/blog/how-often-to-detail-your-car/

http://www.businessinsider.com/best-car-cleaning-products

12 Common Car Detailing Mistakes—and Why You Should Avoid Them at All Costs!

https://www.best-auto-detailing-tips.com/clean-car-windows.html

https://www.cars.com/articles/2013/05/whats-a-cabin-air-filter-and-when-should-you-replace-it/

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