Things You'll Need:
- Bucket
- Auto cleaning wipes (these are wet wipes in containers)
- Shop vac or portable hand vac
- Glass cleaner
- Auto microfiber cloths
- Car freshener (spray, can or hanging and scent is up to you)
- Garbage bag
- Stain remover
- Wet wash cloth
- Interior protecting spray or wipes
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Step 1
Take everything out of your car and put what you can in the bucket. This includes floor mats, random dangly things on your rear-view mirror, books, loose CD's, trash, last weeks lunch, and all that clutter.
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Step 2
Throw the trash items in the garbage bag. Sort through your bucket and think about each item. Ask yourself "Do I need this in my car?"
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Step 3
Leave surviving items from car in the bucket, and move the rest elsewhere (garbage bag or in house).
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Step 4
Next, spray interior windows with window cleaner and use one side of the microfiber cloth for a streak-free clean. Start with the front windshield and work your way to the back of the car window by window.
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Step 5
Use cleaning wipes on all plastic or vinyl areas of the car. Start with top of the dash then work your way down to the front of the dash, then all side doors.
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Step 6
Cleaning wipes can be used on shifter, between air flow slots, on the pedals, on the interior side of the doors, on the side of the door and frame once door is open, and in all other nooks and crannies to get hair, french fry bits, or just plain dust out.
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Step 7
Throw used cleaning wipes in garbage bag. Use as many as needed for effective clean. For sticky hard to remove items, just use a little bit more elbow grease, and try using a new cleaning cloth.
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Step 8
Now for the fun part. Use either a handheld vacuum or a shop vac, it's up to you. THe shop vac has way more power and will pick up rocks much easier, but the hand vacuum will do fine too, it just will take longer and you will have be sure to empty the container holding what the vacuum picked up many times throughout vacuuming your car to ensure good suction and pick up.
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Step 9
Start vacuuming the driver's seat. Get where the driver's back sits, bottom sits, and the crease between these connecting areas. You may have to play with the chair's angle to vacuum this area. Try moving the seat back flat or fully upright.
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Step 10
Next, move the seat completely back and vacuum the driver side floor. Be sure to get the are on the side between the driver's seat and the door as well. Really reach the vacuum under the seat to pick up any lost and forgotten pieces of trash.
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Step 11
Then move the nozzle of the vacuum to the crevice between the driver's seat and arm rest.
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Step 12
Continue these steps for all other seating areas. Then vacuum the top of the rear dash, behind passenger seating.
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Step 13
Now inspect your car for any spills or stains.
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Step 14
Spray stain remover and follow instructions on bottle. These may vary depending on remover type.
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Step 15
Use wet cloth to scrub stain out with stain remover and follow directions on bottle.
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Step 16
Next, if you have vinyl or leather protecting wipes use them on areas specific to vinyl or leather. The vinyl wipes would be used on the dash, and most often the steering wheel as well. If you have leather seats or a leather steering wheel or shifter, use the leather wipes.
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Step 17
If you do not have wipes, spray protecting product on areas and use clean side of microfiber cloth to clean.
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Step 18
Inspect your floor mats. Shake them to remove excess dirt. Use cleaning wipes if needed, then place back in car.
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Step 19
Return all necessary items back to car, then add air freshener.
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Step 20
Put garbage bag in trash can and all other cleaning items away with car care supplies. Lock your car and your done.
