In most cars, dust and dirt tends to build up around the interior creating an unhygienic mess. In fact, it’s very important to know the best way to vacuum out your vehicle interior if you wish to keep it looking its best inside and out. Additionally, you will need to get yourself a compact vacuum that can be used where your interior needs the most attention and even go over every part of the car that might be hiding unseen debris. So, below are some of the steps that you will need to follow when vacuuming your car interior.
Step-1: How to Clean-Out the Car Interior:
-Select the best type of vacuum: A standard household vacuum cleaner may not have the reach or flexibility you need to get down into narrow crevices of your car’s interior. So, you should consider getting a high-powered wet/dry compact vacuum with an extendable hose. In fact, consider purchasing a dedicated car vacuum which is designed to fit easily into hard-to-reach spots inside automobiles.
-Open all of the vehicle’s doors: Leaving the doors open as you vacuum will provide convenient access to every part of the car’s interior. With the doors open, you’ll be able to pull the vacuum straight through rather than being forced to circle around the car. Additionally, opening the doors also creates ventilation which will help air out stale & musty odors.
-Remove any trash & other large items in advance: Take a few extra moments to get rid of any disposable materials you happen to find before you begin vacuuming. This will make the whole process go faster since there won’t be anything to get in the way of the vacuum. So, grab a large garbage bag so that you’ll have something to throw waste items into as you go.
-Remove the floor mats: Lift the floor mats out of the front and back seats of your car and set them aside in a clean, dry area. Don’t forget about removing other mats and covers like removable trunk liners.
Step-2: How to Vacuum the Car’s Interior:
-Use the vacuum’s brush attachment: Suction alone isn’t always enough to lift tiny particles out of plush textile surfaces. In fact, the bristles of the brush will stir up dust and debris from deep within your car’s carpet so that it can be sucked up by the vacuum with little difficulty. So, this will provide a much deeper and more thorough cleaning. Additionally, a circular brush head will be able to access a wider variety of spaces but a wide brush should also get the job done. In case you don’t have a brush attachment, then try using a separate stiff-bristled brush. Go over the carpet and upholstery with one hand before following up with the vacuum. Vacuum one section of your car’s interior at a time. Once it’s been thoroughly cleaned, you can move on to another.
-Vacuum the floorboards: Suction the carpet in all directions while working from the console side to the outer edge of the seats. Make multiple passes until the floorboards are completely free of dirt then repeat in the same process in back of the car. Slide the driver and passenger’s side seats back as far as they’ll go so you’ll have more room to work. Concentrate on areas where debris has a tendency to collect like the seat track rails and underneath the pedals.
-Vacuum over the upholstery: Run your vacuum along the seats and seat backs to eliminate trapped dust, hair and other debris. In fact, it will help to use your brush or brush attachment here. After, sweep the bristles down deep into cracks and crevices and let the vacuum’s powerful suction take care of the rest. Recline the front seats all the way to expose more of the section between the seat and seat back.
-Clean the floor mats: Get the floor mats you removed earlier and shake them out or bang them against a wall or another hard surface to loosen stuck-on messes. After, vacuum the tops of mats to fluff up the fibers. Double-check that there’s no leaves, rocks or other debris clinging to the underside of the mats before reinstalling them. On the other hand, clean spills and discoloration on your floor mats with a stain remover and then hang them up outside to air dry. However, all-weather floor mats made from leather or synthetic materials can simply be hosed off or wiped down by hand. An old toothbrush makes a great tool for scrubbing floor mats and upholstery in a pinch
Step-3: How to Cleanup Other Areas:
-Use compressed air to dislodge difficult debris: With nooks and crannies that are too tight for the vacuum, a gust of compressed air will help to remove dirt and dust particles by suctioning them up. However, make sure you release the air in short bursts. If you hold down the nozzle for too long, it will just blow the dust around the inside of the cabin. Another alternative is to hook the hose of the vacuum up the outlet port and use it to gently blow the debris out of its hiding spot.
-Clean-up your dashboard and displays: These surfaces are often neglected while vacuuming but can sometimes hold more dust. So, brush these areas lightly using short, sweeping strokes and hold the vacuum close to catch the dust it releases. Break down stuck-on residue with a damp rag or detailing wipe. However, be careful not to be too rough when going over the display covers since they are typically made from soft transparent plastic and it’s possible to leave scratches if you make contact with the vacuum hose itself. If you’re in a hurry, you can also dust a dash or display by hand with a soft, dry cloth and a spritz of dusting spray.
-Clean the car trunk: Open the trunk and take a quick peek inside to see what kind of shape it’s in. In fact, the trunk is one of the most commonly overlooked parts of most cars, so it’s likely that it hasn’t been cleaned in a while. So, give the entire trunk compartment a good vacuuming from top to bottom. When you’re done vacuuming, be sure to dust, suction, spray off or wipe down removable trunk mats and liners.