What Is the Best Way to Clean Your Car’s Interior? Step-by-Step Guide
Want to clean your car’s interior like a pro? In this simple step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how to safely clean and protect every surface inside your car — without streaks or sticky residue.
Cleaning your car’s interior can feel like a chore — but when you do it right, it transforms your driving experience. A clean, fresh-smelling interior not only looks better but also:
- Protects surfaces from wear and fading
- Improves air quality inside the cabin
- Makes your car more enjoyable to drive
- Helps maintain resale value
In this post, I’ll walk you through the best way to clean your car’s interior — step by step — and recommend the top products to use for a pro-level finish.
Step 1 — Prep the Interior
Before you start cleaning, remove all trash and loose items. Slide the front seats all the way forward and back to get under them. Don’t skip this — it makes a huge difference!
👉 Related Post: Ultimate Interior Car Cleaning Guide
Step 2 — Vacuum Thoroughly
Vacuum all carpets, floor mats, and seats first. This removes loose dirt and debris so you don’t grind it into surfaces when cleaning.
Pro tip: Use a crevice tool to get between seats and around edges. Take your time — the better your vacuuming, the better your final result.
Step 3 — Clean All Hard Surfaces
Now it’s time to clean the dashboard, door panels, console, and other interior surfaces.
For this, I highly recommend using Complete Cabin Cleaner. It’s safe on all surfaces — plastic, vinyl, leather, rubber, and even screens — and leaves a matte, OEM finish with no streaks.
Use the Scrub Buddy Pad for textured surfaces like door panels and dashboards. For delicate areas, use a microfiber towel.
Cleaning process:
- Spray Complete Cabin Cleaner onto the surface or your towel (avoid oversaturating sensitive areas).
- Wipe the surface clean, applying light pressure.
- For stubborn grime, use a Scrub Buddy Pad to agitate gently.
- Buff off any remaining residue with a clean microfiber towel.
Step 4 — Clean Seats
Fabric seats:
- Vacuum first.
- Spray Complete Cabin Cleaner onto a towel or directly onto the seat (test first).
- Scrub with a soft brush or towel.
- Wipe with a clean towel to remove residue.
Leather seats:
- Use Complete Cabin Cleaner with a towel or Scrub Buddy Pad (very gentle).
- Wipe clean, then buff dry with a soft microfiber towel.
- Optional: Apply a leather conditioner after cleaning.
Step 5 — Clean Glass
For streak-free glass, use a dedicated glass cleaner and a soft microfiber towel.
Pro tip: Roll the windows down slightly to clean the top edges — an often-missed detail.
Step 6 — Final Touches
Finish by wiping down door jambs and adding an air freshener of your choice.
👉 Related Product: Jimbo’s Air Freshies — freshen up your interior with a great scent.
Recommended Products for Interior Cleaning
- Complete Cabin Cleaner — All-in-one interior cleaner for all surfaces
- Scrub Buddy Pad — Safe scrubbing pads for textured surfaces
- Jimbo’s Air Freshies — Long-lasting air freshener
Conclusion
Cleaning your car’s interior doesn’t have to be complicated — and with the right products and techniques, you can get a pro-level result at home.
Start with this simple step-by-step process, use Complete Cabin Cleaner for safe, streak-free cleaning, and enjoy a fresh, clean interior every time you drive.
Happy detailing!
