Comments on: How to Clean a Car's Interior

on 11/22/2005 I used an old toothbrush with any vinyl cleaner/conditioner like Armor-all and scrub the vinyl with it. Using just a cloth or sponge doesn't seem to scrub away dirt that somehow continues to cling onto the vinyl. My vinyl console has some marbling too, so by scrubbing gently with some conditioner it starts looking like new because it digs into the marbling. I've also used the toothbrush it get between various cracks and textured surfaces to remove dust and stickiness.

on 11/22/2005 Naptha solvent is great for removing and sticker residue, tar or just about anything. You can get Naptha at most hardware stores. It's basically what lighter fluid is made of. I'd test it before rubbing it all over your car though. Viva paper towels are great, it's almost like a 100% cotton cloth. I use them on guitar finishes and they don't scratch the finish.

on 11/22/2005 I just used Zep Spot carpet cleaner to clean stains on both my car's removable floormats and the underlying carpeting. It worked on both types of carpets beautifully, just like the instructions said - without scrubbing, even on a large stain on a light beige carpet that had been there for months!

on 11/22/2005 If you just discovered that your ice cream (or any dairy product) melted or spill all over your trunk, first take some towels and clean up the mess. Then, if your car's trunk lid can be removed, remove the trunk lid and take it to your garden hose and spray water all over it. Make sure you spray enough to make sure all the liquid has come out.

on 11/22/2005 Use a can of compressed air to blow the dust and junk out of the crevices in the console and instrument panel. This is faster than using a toothbrush or wet Q-Tip. After you blow the junk out, vacuum up the debris. When applying a protectant, use a cheap foam paintbrush. Spray the protectant onto the paintbrush and apply it exactly where you want it. The brushes come in different sizes, so you can use a large one for tires and narrow ones for interior trim. Just about any dollar store sells these things for next to nothing. After you've finished applying the protectant, store the paintbrush in a Zip-loc bag for use later.

on 11/22/2005 I had a bottle of iodine explode in my 2001 Celica. I thought it would never come out. The stain even set in for 3 months before I discovered it. I used a stain treatment like Shout for clothing. I sprayed it on, let it soak, and then went to the car wash and used the foaming interior shampooer. It took several passes with the foam and vacuum to get it out, but there are no traces of any stain on my light grey interior.

on 11/22/2005 If you apply a thin layer of Vaseline to your bumper before putting on your bumper stickers, the stickers will peel off easily without leaving adhesive. Plus, they won't shift or slide off unless you want them to. I used this trick on my bumper stickers, and five years later they came off without a problem. Just wipe off the Vaseline.

on 11/22/2005 Windex (or diluted ammonia for that matter) worked well for me. I found out (after futile efforts) to clean a stain I just grab the Windex bottle and soak the area, then blot up the whole stain! It's gone. I have beige carpet and it's a bear to keep looking clean. Check for color fastness under the seat before trying this, it may not work well on some fibers.

on 11/22/2005 Next time you rent a Rug Doctor from the store, pick up the hand tool attachment and some carpet stain remover. Vacuum your carpets first, spray the entire carpet down with the bottle of stain remover, and let it soak while steam cleaning your house carpets. After you are finished with your house carpets, use clean hot water to Rug Doctor your car's interior. After you are finished, leave your windows cracked to allow adequate drying.

on 11/22/2005 When cleaning the vinyl interior components of your vehicle; use Murphy's oil soap mixed per the container directions. It cleans great and leaves a greaseless shine !

on 11/22/2005 I had a gallon of milk break in my new 2003 Explorer 2 years in a row. I first cleaned it with bleach but the smell returned. Baking soda did not work. Vinegar is the key to eradicating this horrid smell from your car! I took a gallon and spilled it exactly where the milk broke. I emptied the bottle and made sure the padding under the carpet sopped up what ran on the floor board under the carpet. After about 1/2 hour, I lifted the carpet, and vacuumed up whatever liquid I could. I propped the carpet up and put a fan on the entire area until it dried. The smell was finally gone. The vinegar did the trick!

on 11/22/2005 I found out purely by accident one day (while detailing my vehicle) how to remove stains from the carpeted area. I sprayed Armour All cleaner on the door panels, but I over sprayed and got some on the floor, where there happened to be a grease stain. When I went to wipe the Armour All off the floor, to my pleasant surprise, the stain came out. Ever since I've used this method, I have never been disappointed. I think it works so well because the main ingredient in Armour All is water with a silicone additive, to make the dirt slide off. The material the auto manufactures use for the carpeting (and other fabric like areas in the vehicle) are primarily a nylon or plastic-like polyester substance. I think this could be the reason why it works so well. Give it a try!

on 11/22/2005 I have learned not to ever throw away my old toothbrushes. I use them for wire rims, I brush any debris in crevices in the console while I follow it with my shop vacuum (I get all those hard to reach areas). I have at least 10 old toothbrushes in the box I take with me to on-site jobs.

on 11/22/2005 Toss all four of your car mats into the washing machine, they come out looking brand new!

on 11/22/2005 I have found that pressurized canned air (used to clean electronic equipment) is great for clearing out dust from the dash air vents and the tiny crevasses around the various dash components (where even a Q-Tip sometimes can't reach). It leaves no scratches! Wipe off any remaining stuck-on dirt, and finish with a protectant.