Time saving tricks to keep your car interior clean
Removable car mats
If you don’t have any, get some. It’s much easier to take out dirty mats and clean them rather than trying to clean everything in the confined space of your car. When your mats get dirty, shake off any dirt or sand, spray with laundry stain remover and throw them in the washing machine.
Keep a small bin
Use a plastic cereal container as a rubbish bin (if you’re lucky, it could fit into your door storage compartment). Make sure you empty it at the petrol station, every time you fill up.
Wet wipes!
These are a saviour when it comes to wiping up car spills. Wipe up any mess as soon as you can (not when you are driving!) and dispose of any wipes responsibly (that is, do not flush them down the loo!).
Keep your shoes clean
To reduce the chance of sand and dirt being dragged into your car on shoes, give them a kick before getting into your car. You could even keep a clean pair of shoes in your car for driving and store your dirty shoes in a plastic bag or put a shower cap over the soles.
Avoid eating inside your car
This is a tough one, especially if you are going on a long journey. Whenever you can, avoid eating or drinking inside your car, but if you do, make sure to clean up any mess as soon as you have reached your destination.
Pets
If your best friend is accompanying you in the car, make sure you cover the back seat with a purpose-made cover, a blanket or even a towel (we’re talking about your dog, not your best mate from high-school!). You can also run a rubber squeegee (or a rubber washing up glove) across car upholstery or carpet to collect any stray pet hair.
Air vents
Use a paintbrush or foam brush to clean narrow vents. Have a small vacuum handy too, to suck up dislodged dust and dirt, otherwise you are just moving it around.
Cup holders
These can quickly become the grubbiest area inside your car. To clean, grab a jar or travel mug that fits into your holder. Put a clean (fluffy) sock over the bottom of the jar/mug and spray with cleaning fluid. Press into the cup holder and twist. The dirt will attach itself to the sock.
To keep them clean, put a silicone muffin case into the cup holder to catch any spills - or use paper muffin cases and change them regularly.
Vacuuming
To suck up hard-to-reach gunk from the nooks and crannies inside your car, insert an empty paper towel roll into the end of your vacuum cleaner. Bend or flatten it to squeeze into those difficult spots.
Remember: every time you leave your car, take something with you!