How to clean your car interior

When it comes to keeping your vehicle in great condition, one of the key things is regularly cleaning the interior.

In this how to guide, we show the steps you need to take so that your car looks its best.

10 steps to clean your car’s interior

Here is our easy set of tips for cleaning your car’s interior, to ensure your car is in perfect condition.

This should be done regularly and also form part of your regular car maintenance.

Declutter and tidy your car

The first step in cleaning your car is to remove as many items as possible – whether they are personal items, rubbish, or in-car technology.

Decluttering your car starts with removing anything that doesn’t belong there, from empty containers, sports equipment, children’s toys, to forgotten shopping bags and old receipts.

You should clear out door pockets, the glovebox, centre console, and any seatback compartments, taking time to remove personal items like documents, clothing, or mobile device chargers.

Once everything is out, throw away the rubbish and tidy what remains by grouping items, using small organisers, and keeping surfaces clear.

A clean, uncluttered interior not only looks better but also makes driving calmer, safer, and more enjoyable.

It also makes the next nine steps a lot easier!

Clean the glass and mirrors

Your car’s interior windscreen and mirrors make a huge difference to visibility and overall tidiness – so properly cleaning them is essential throughout the year.

Start by wiping the glass with a dry microfiber cloth to remove loose dust and grime.

Then apply a small amount of glass cleaner solution directly onto the cloth, not the glass, to avoid drips on the dashboard.

You should then work in overlapping strokes from top to bottom to prevent streaks appearing. These can be distracting when driving

Do not forget to clean the rear‑view mirror gently using the same method.

For the pull‑down visor mirrors, use a lightly dampened cloth and wipe carefully around the edges where grime collects.

Ensure it is all dry before putting them back into position.

Finally, you should finish by buffing all surfaces with a clean, dry microfiber cloth for a clear, streak‑free finish.

Vacuum

Vacuuming your car makes a huge difference to how clean and fresh it feels – as well as being good for the health and safety of the driver and passengers.

Start by removing floor mats so you can vacuum the carpet underneath thoroughly.

Use the main vacuum head for large areas, then switch to a narrow crevice tool to reach between seats, along rails, and into tight gaps where dirt collects.

You should also vacuum the seats carefully, using a brush attachment to lift dust from fabric or seams.

Don’t forget to check under the seats, where debris often hides.

Finally, look around the footwells and corners for cobwebs and remove them with a soft brush or the vacuum’s hose.

Wipe all surfaces

Regularly wipe all areas and surfaces in your car. This helps lift dust, loose dirt, and everyday grime that builds up over time.

Start by using a clean microfiber cloth to sweep away surface debris, then work methodically across each seat and surface in the front and rear of the vehicle, paying attention to seams, edges and crevices where dirt tends to settle and group together.

For fabric seats, use gentle, even strokes to avoid pushing dirt deeper. For leather or vinyl, wipe smoothly to remove marks and restore a tidy, well‑kept appearance throughout the interior.

Disinfect where necessary

Disinfecting the surfaces inside your car is important because these areas collect oils, dirt, and germs from constant contact, especially if you share the vehicle or eat and drink on the go.

Regular cleaning helps keep the interior fresher and reduces the build-up of harmful germs and dirt.

You should focus on the spots you touch most often, including the steering wheel, gears, door handles, seatbelt buckles, touchscreens, buttons, sun visor, centre console, and armrests.

Make sure that you wipe these areas carefully, working into seams and surfaces where grime and dirt settle.

Don’t forget the cupholders and door pockets, which often gather spills and residue over time.

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Odour control

Making your car smell pleasant starts with removing dirt and clean all the surfaces – and then adding light, fresh scents that don’t overwhelm the space.

After wiping the dashboard, doors, and everything else with a lightly scented interior spray to leave a subtle fragrance without leaving residue, there are a few things you can do to extend the smell for a few weeks.

You can place a small air freshener in a discreet spot or use a fabric‑safe mist on seats and carpets for a gentle boost.

Drivers also often have another air freshener hanging from the internal mirror.

For a deeper clean, use a dedicated interior shampoo on seats and floor carpets. Although there are many variations, they are good for extending the life of the interior.

You will need to work it in with a soft brush to lift embedded dirt.

If it is too wet, then it will leave an unpleasant smell, so ensure everything is dry before setting off on your next journey.

Fix or replace broken items

Through the time you spend cleaning the car, you may notice some damaged parts to the vehicle.

Most likely this will be something cosmetic, like a frayed car mat or a stain on a seat.

This is the perfect time to fix the problem or replace them.

RAC Shop has a wide range of products that can help you get your car back to the best condition possible.

Remove floor mats and any seat covers and clean them separately

A key step in cleaning the interior of the car is to remove any floor mats and any seat covers because it lets you reach the dirt that collects underneath – and allows you to clean them separately.

Lift out all mats and shake them to remove loose debris before vacuuming both sides thoroughly.

Fabric mats can be scrubbed with interior shampoo, while rubber mats can be washed with warm soapy water and left to dry fully.

Take off any removable seat covers and clean them according to their material, ensuring they dry completely before putting them back.

Clear the boot

When it comes to cleaning your car boot is often overlooked, but it makes a big difference to how organised your whole vehicle feels.

Start by removing everything inside, paying special attention to forgotten items tucked into corners.

Vacuum the floor, brush out debris from side panels, and wipe down any plastic surfaces.

You should check any storage pockets and lift the floor panel to clear hidden dirt.

Because the boot is out of sight most of the time, giving it proper attention helps keep your car cleaner, lighter, and easier to use.

Air vents and filters

An often-overlooked step when cleaning a car is to check the air vents and filters.

They will need specific tools to clean inside the crevices and vents in order to clear out dust and debris that builds up over time.

This will help airflow and improve the air quality within the cabin.

Final steps

Once you have carried out all of these steps, you should put items back once they are dry.

If you are keeping personal items in the vehicle, put them in boxes and other cases where they are kept in an organised way.

Finally, add an in a new air freshener, and you are ready for your next road trip.