How to Care for Your Car's Interior

When we buy a car, there's nothing better than that "new car smell." Well, we can do our best to ensure that we retain that smell, as best as possible, throughout the years. Taking care of your car's interior can be just as important as caring for your car's exterior. So while you think about getting car covers to protect the exterior of your car, don't forget to consider all of the factors that will protect your car on the inside. This list can help you determine the best care regimen for the interior of your car:

• Suck it up: Invest in a small shop vacuum or routinely take your car to a car wash that vacuums out the interior. We all fall victim to eating in our cars - and remnants of our meals end up under our seats and on our floor mats. You should pay attention to not only the floor mats, but also your seats and around the pedals. Removing debris not only removes potentially dangerous materials from your car's interior, but also keeps it clean and in good condition.
• Shampoo the dirt away: Floor mats take a lot of torture over the years - any look at the heels of your right shoes, and you'll see why. Our floor mats are very dirty, and can transfer dirt back onto our shoes. If you have carpeted floor mats, take the time to shampoo them and/or have them professionally cleaned. If they are rubber or "all season" mats, wash them with a common household cleaning solution. This will remove dirt as well as any sticky materials that could make it unsafe to drive.
• Use a little elbow grease: Depending on the material of your car's seating surfaces, there are several different strategies you can use to keep your car in great shape. For cloth or carpet-like surfaces, you can use a professional cleaning product designed for cloth automotive upholstery. You might want to invest in professional cleaning if you have a tough stain. For vinyl or leather seating, be sure you have a cleaning product that is safe for the material - don't use something that could hurt it. The right cleaner can prevent cracking and aging.
• Cover all the nooks and crannies: Don't forget to pay attention to nooks and crannies, such as cracks and creases in your dashboard or console, your air-conditioning vents, and any buttons or cup holders. You'll probably need a small brush to clean some areas, as well as dust cloths and other cleaning supplies for larger areas. If you don't have the patience for such a thorough job, you might want to invest in having your car detailed at a dealership or a similar shop.