As of: February 20, 2024, 2:57 p.m
By: Pauline Wyderka
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Every now and then you have to clean the inside of the car.
But this doesn't have to be a struggle; it can also be quick and easy - with these tips.
Regardless of whether you have just bought it – at some point even the fanciest carriage loses its new-car feel.
For some people it's enough to know that their MOT is up to date and that the car is moving along.
But if you clean your car regularly, you not only save money, but you also keep the car's trade value high.
SÜDWEST24 reveals how you can clean the inside of your car easily and quickly - and give the old car a new shine:
What is the best way to clean the inside of my car?
When cleaning the interior of your car, it's best to work your way from coarse to fine.
That means: take out the trash and everything that's in the way, be it the candy wrapper, the faded scented tree or the loose change (which can of course be put back in).
Then the vacuum cleaner comes into play.
Take out the floor mats and vacuum everything, first from top to bottom, then from back to front.
Start with the roof, continue with the trunk - including under the floor cover - then move on to the seats.
A cushion attachment is best suited for this.
The side compartments in the doors can also be vacuumed out.
Finally there are the footwells.
A special vacuum cleaner attachment makes it easier to clean the car interior and especially the car seats.
© ingimage/Imago
How do I clean my car seats?
You can make it easier if you first move the seats forward to access the rear footwell and then backwards to have free access to the front one.
The floor mats are thoroughly knocked out and vacuumed.
Stains can be removed carefully, either with an upholstery cleaner or a mild shampoo.
In some cases, shampoo can actually be used as a cleanser.
Leather, on the other hand, should only be cleaned with a special leather cleaner or vinegar and lukewarm water.
Then dry the leather well and do not leave any water residue, otherwise discoloration will occur.
By the way, this is how you clean windows and mirrors in your car quickly and effectively.
What is the best way to clean the cockpit in the car?
The detailed work then begins on the cockpit of the car.
There are all sorts of niches and cracks here that literally attract dirt.
Wipe the fittings and steering wheel once with a damp cloth.
For more stubborn contamination you can use neutral soap or special cockpit cleaner.
It is available for both matt and glossy finishes.
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A brush or cotton swab can be used to remove dust in the ventilation grille.
You can use a toothpick for smaller cracks.
Be careful with the wrong cleaner: If the agent is too aggressive, it can particularly attack the breaking points of airbags and other protective devices.
This can be fatal in an emergency.
You can get even stubborn dirt in the cockpit clean with a special dashboard cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
But be careful with aggressive all-purpose cleaners!
© ingimage/Imago
What neutralizes odors in the car?
Odors mainly settle in the upholstery.
So if you want to take very thorough action against this, you can deep clean the upholstery with upholstery cleaner.
A musty smell can also come from an empty, dirty ashtray.
Both of these go away on their own with thorough cleaning.
If you still feel a little smelly, a small bowl of coffee that you put in the car overnight can help.
If you have stubborn upholstery mustiness, you can also put the coffee directly on the seats and vacuum it up the next day.
The same thing works with baking powder.
When cleaning your car, vinegar water is strong against established odors such as old cigarette ash and smoke.
Activated carbon filters are made specifically for purposes like this.
How do I get a fresh scent into my car?
Neutralizing odors is all well and good, but how do you get a pleasantly fresh scent into your car?
An obvious option are the well-known scented trees.
If you have your favorite tree with the product, you can simply continue to let the small, colorful fir tree dangle from the rearview mirror.
If the look bothers you, you can also use scent sprays.
You can also use essential oils to create a fresh scent.
Simply put a few drops on a wooden clothespin and clip it to the fan, done!
But be careful, not everyone can tolerate the oils and artificial scents.
A scented sachet with dried flowers and herbs can also help create a fresh scent.
(paw)