  Other people may admire the outside your vehicle, but you see the inside every time you drive. Depending on how you use your vehicle, the interior may need even more TLC than the paint! This guide will take you through the basics of interior care. After all, it’s what’s on the inside that counts!
The interior of your car is a relatively small space. Small messes have a huge impact! Keep your interior looking great with weekly quick-cleanings. A little time spent cleaning each weekend will keep your monthly super clean-up from taking up your whole Saturday!
Weekly Cleaning Regimen
- Using a Cobra Detailing Cloth (microfiber towel) wipe down all solid surfaces. This microfiber cloth will catch the accumulated dust and minor spills that have occurred since the last detailing.
- Unless your vehicle doubles as a taxi for kids and pets, you can probably cut down vacuuming to a monthly chore. For the occasional crumbs and dirt, use the OXO Whisk Broom and Dust Pan. Its easy to use and easy to store in your glove compartment.
Remove pet hair in seconds with the Automotive K9 Upholstery and Carpet Mitt.
- Floor mats probably bear the brunt of abuse during the week. Shake them out if they’re not too bad. If you have a Metro VAC N GO 500 High Performance Hand Vac at your disposal, go ahead a give them a quick vacuuming. This little machine isn’t cumbersome to use and it has great suction for a hand vac.
Unless you made a big mess that week, this is all you need to do on a weekly basis.
Monthly Cleaning Regime
Give your interior a thorough cleaning about once a month. If you get into a habit, no spot or stain will go unnoticed.
- If you own the Metro Vac ‘N Blo you’ll find the clean-up a breeze. The Vac N Blo's crevice attachments makes it easy to get into all those tight spots where only dirt and pocket change go.
- Break out your Wolfgang Spot Eliminator and make carpet and upholstery stains vanish. Use our recommended Mat and Carpet Scrub Brush to work the cleaner into the spot and blot it away with a clean towel. Once the spot is dry, you can re-vacuum the treated area to fluff the carpet pile again.
 Wipe down all vinyl, plastic and rubber surfaces with a damp Cobra Microfiber Detailing Cloth. You can use either plain water or a cleaner, like DP Total Interior Cleaner. Many rubber and vinyl protectants have some cleaning ability so, unless you have major dressing build-up or stains, you can go straight to the DP Interior Surface Protectant.
Warning! Avoid silicone-based protectants. Silicone leaves an oily residue and it attracts dust. Over time, it can turn your dashboard yellow. Stick to water-based protectants and you’ll never have to worry about a greasy, yellow interior.
- Next clean the interior glass using a non-ammonia glass cleaner, like DP Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner or Stoner Invisible Glass Pump Spray. Both of these cleaners are safe on tinted windows.
Use the Cobra Waffle Weave Microfiber Glass Towel to wipe the glass clean with no streaks or lint. To avoid overspray, mist the towel with the glass cleaner, rather than spraying it directly on the glass.
 You will need the Mini Two-Way Detailing Brush to get inside the vents and in the seams where otherwise only dust, lint and the stray coins will travel. These areas are often overlooked and difficult to clean, but it makes a big difference in the overall appearance of your vehicle’s interior.
- Vinyl seats will respond best to Pinnacle Leather and Vinyl Cleaner for spills and dust. It also works superbly on leather. UV exposure has disastrous effects on both leather and vinyl so we have found the best product on the market today in UV protection is “ozone safe” 303 Aerospace Protectant. Coat your vinyl seats with 303 for lasting protection. The finish is clean, clear, and non-greasy.
That’s the lowdown on interior care. If you need more information on the care and conditioning of leather seats, please visit our guide entitled, “Proper Leather Care”.
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