Step 1: Stock Your Cleaning Caddy, Step 2: Clear Out the Car, Step 3: Make a Plan for Interior Car Detailing, Step 4: Clean Surfaces and Vacuum, Step 5: Wash the Windows, Step 6: Clean Floor Mats, Step 7: Reset, About the Experts

Car interiors attract their share of dirt, dust and grime. But full professional interior car detailing can ding your bank balance, so why not do it yourself?

“Many people start DIY detailing just to save money, but end up loving the process because of the satisfaction of transforming their car with their own hands,” says pro detailer Parham Koukia. “With the right tools, techniques and a bit of patience, it can even become addictive!”

Pro detailer Joey Sanchez also encourages home detailing. “It’s more than just cleaning, it’s about taking pride in your ride,” he says. “The moment you see those crisp lines, spotless surfaces, and smell that fresh new car scent, it’s totally worth it.”

However, there are a few scenarios when it might be best to take it to a pro, such as mold, strong odors, embedded pet hair, tough stains or major wear.

But otherwise, with a little know-how and a few smart tips, you can clean your car like a car detailing pro.

Step 1: Stock Your Cleaning Caddy

Skip household cleaners and invest in car care cleaners specifically formulated for automotive applications. Household products, including dishwashing soap, can be harmful to automotive paint, interior and plastic surfaces, says AAA repair systems manager David Bennett.

Besides car cleaning products, gather some cotton swabs, fluffy make-up brushes, microfiber cloths, a scrubbing brush and a vacuum cleaner with a brush and crevice attachments. If you prefer a cleaning product set that covers it all, including exterior detailing, John Peterson, editor of Safe Drive Gear and an auto retailer senior sales manager, recommends the 16-Piece Arsenal Builder Car Wash Kit.

Step 2: Clear Out the Car

Remove the floor mats, large items such as car seats, bags and anything else sizable you store in your car. Mike Pennington, Meguiar’s director of global training, event marketing and consumer relations, recommends clearing out trash, too.

“Keep a small trash bag handy to put your trash in while on the road,” Pennington says. “Then you can easily throw away the bag and replace it with a new one as often as needed.”

Step 3: Make a Plan for Interior Car Detailing

Vehicles have nooks, crannies and crevices. Before you dive into cleaning, assess your car’s interior. Note any areas that are particularly dirty, or spaces you may not notice as you operate the vehicle.

The most commonly overlooked spaces, according to Pennington, include beneath the seats (reach under there carefully!), floor mats and the back sides of the sun visors. Peterson mentions air vents, cup holders and storage compartments. And Bennett says the cargo and trunk areas frequently get overlooked. Be sure to hit these spots like the pros do.

Step 4: Clean Surfaces and Vacuum

Next, vacuum the car interior and wipe down surfaces. It sounds straightforward, but for car detailing-level clean, take your time so you’re sure to hit every nook and cranny. Work from top to bottom as much as you can, but know you may need to go back over an area. Cars are tight quarters and dirt can fly around; you may need to go back to do a crevice you missed.

Pre-vacuum: “Use a soft, natural bristle brush to loosen dirt from all the interior surfaces prior to vacuuming,” says Bennett.
Don’t forget the headliner: That’s the fabric covering the inside of the roof. “Wrap a microfiber towel around a stiff nylon brush, then spray with an upholstery cleaner and lightly agitate the headliner,” Pennington says. “This is a great trick to keep from over saturating the headliner with a cleaner.”
Move seats: “When vacuuming the interior, move the front seats all the way forward and backward to get under the seat,” says Bennett. For seats that recline, Pennington recommends moving them as far as they’ll go in both directions to reach any hidden dirt.
Use your tools: The crevice attachment for your vacuum cleaner was made to fit into tight corners. Employ it frequently during your car detailing. Use cotton swabs and make-up brushes for tasks like cleaning air vents and around buttons.
Choose wisely: Clean with products designed specifically for the material. Then use a conditioner or protectant on any vinyl or leather surfaces, if necessary.
Check the spare: While you’re cleaning the trunk, Pennington advises checking your spare tire to ensure it is in good condition. Make sure all of the tire-changing tools are accounted for, too.
Spray carefully: “Always spray your interior cleaning solution on your towel or detailing brush as it can leave streaks and also damage electronics,” says Peterson.

Step 5: Wash the Windows

Finally, wash the windows. Specialty window wipes work well for this step. Even though you’re focused on the car interior in this step, you’ll see any exterior grime from inside your newly detailed car interior. Clean the outside of the windows, too, while you’re at it.

Step 6: Clean Floor Mats

Shake out any loose dirt from your floor mats. Vacuum and then scrub with hot water and an automotive carpet cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Let the mats dry completely.

Step 7: Reset

After you’ve finished your interior car detailing, put the fully dried car mats back in place. Then return any items you want to keep in your car back to their rightful spots, and return your seats and mirrors to their rightful positions. Now you’re ready to roll in your freshly cleaned car.

FAQ

How much does car detailing cost?

It depends on the condition of your car, the services you choose and where you live, but typically interior detailing runs between $100 and $400.

“It can be more if you are dealing with tough stains, leather work or deep cleaning,” says Koukia. “Heavily neglected interiors, especially with pet mess or spilled drinks, will cost more because of the extra time and materials required.”

Should I detail my car in hot weather?

Try to avoid it. Detailing under direct sunlight or during extreme heat causes products to dry out quickly, causing streaks, especially on glass and plastic.

“I tell customers to either work early in the morning or inside a shaded garage if it’s a hot day,” says Koukia. “Heat rushes the process, and in detailing, rushing always leads to worse results.”

Conversely, when you detail in cooler temperatures, you can work the product into the surface longer and more accurately, says Sanchez. “And in some cases, you’ll use less product, saving you time and effort,” he says.

About the Experts

Parham Koukia is lead detailer and operations manager at Panda Hub in Toronto. He has spent more than a decade mastering the art of car detailing, after turning his passion for automobiles into his profession.
Joey Sanchez is associate manager at the Chemical Guys online auto detailing supply retailer, and gives expert advice and hands-on tutorials through the brand’s popular social media channels and viral videos.