Here’s a Checklist for Spring Cleaning Your Car

When you think of “spring cleaning,” you probably think of cleaning your house , clearing your closets, and focusing on the most lived-in space – but what could be more lived-in than your car? Depending on what your commute to work, school, or vacation looks like, you probably spend a lot of time in your car, which is why it’s probably dirtier than you think. Add this to your spring cleaning schedule and make sure you hit all of the following locations.

Upholstery

You’re probably already going to the car wash as you see fit, so let’s focus on the inside of the car, starting with the upholstery. Once you’ve cleared out all the trash and random junk that may be piling up, you may be wondering where to start with the real cleaning; in our humble opinion, this should be the place where your ass usually is.

First, vacuum upholstery and floors, making sure the hose is deep between the seats and console and cup holders. Then move on to a deeper upholstery cleaning with a hack we usually use around the house: DIY sofa cleaner . Grab a pot or pan lid, a microfiber cloth, a bowl of water, and some dish soap. Add water and a few drops of soap to a bowl, then dip a cloth, saturate it, and wring out the excess before laying it on a flat surface and setting the pot lid on top. Place the lid in the center of this damp cloth, pull the edges of the cloth over the handle and secure them by tying them or securing with an elastic band. Now you have a soft yet durable disc that you can move over your seat cushions to pick up lint, refresh the fabric and clean it without making it too damp.

Coasters and other hard surfaces

One trick that works well here is to dampen an old sock or rag and pull it over the cup. If you’re doing these tasks in order, you should have a bowl of soap and water left over from cleaning the upholstery, so go ahead and stick your sock or washcloth in there and wring it out. Once the cloth is secured around the cup, place it in the holder and twist to draw out any clumps, dust, lint, or whatever is there, as well as to loosen old, dried liquid. When finished, repeat with a dry cloth or sock.

For other hard surfaces like the dashboard and center console, use a microfiber cloth and a spray bottle filled with equal parts vinegar and water. Spray everything well, and then wipe off the dust and dirt.

Vents

If you’re really motivated, you can go the extra mile by clearing out your vents – maybe they need it. Your best bet is a foam brush , which can get into those tiny crevices much more easily than your fingers. Since the foam is porous and soft, it picks up any dust, while a bristle brush can simply push it deeper or pull it into the air. Lightly dampen the brush if you want to remove as much dust as possible.