We are supposed to judge people, and books, by what’s on the inside. But when it comes to our cars, we often assume that people will be judging them from the outside. While it’s true that most people probably will be, there are actually many good reasons why keeping the interior of your car tidy and fresh is important too.
But even more important than keeping your interior clean is keeping it free from damage. Often, dirt and damage go hand in hand, but there are also some other handy things you could be doing to keep your car in working order for as long as possible. Here are some of the most useful tips.
- Cover as much as possible: Covering surfaces is one of the easiest and best ways to both keep your car clean and protect against damage. Floor mats will stop mud from sinking into the carpeted floor or clogging up crevices, and even blankets to protect the upholstery from pets and children can make a big difference.
- Keep sunlight out: Of course, this one only applies when you’re not driving it. Use a car window shade when you are parked up, because the sun’s UV rays are harmful for leather surfaces too. They can cause it to dry out and crack, and they are also bad for fabric interiors too. Also, when the sun has been shining into the car for a few hours and has raised the temperature inside dramatically, it can start to damage the dashboard and other features too.
- Wipe the seats regularly: Done regularly, just this single piece of maintenance can give you a clean and fresh cabin and help your upholstery to last longer, especially if your seats are made of leather. It will stop them from drying out and cracking, as well as fading or getting stained. If you have leather seats, opt for a vinyl or petroleum-based cleaner. If you have fabric seats or want to wipe down the carpet, you will want a gentler cleaner. Use a paper towel or microfiber cloth for the wiping.
- Vacuum: Vacuum clean your vehicle at least once a week to keep it fresh. Be sure to try and get into those hard-to-reach and hidden spots too. This is about more than just making sure that your car is pleasant. You never know what crumbs or other bits of dirt or organic matter might attract.
Enforce the rules: When it comes to looking after your vehicle, preventing damage will always be better than trying to fix it. And one of the main causes of interior damage is spillages. These are easy to prevent, in theory at least. If possible, you should enforce a strict no-eating or drinking policy, which you and your passengers should stick to.
Be prepared and deal with spills immediately: The last rule is pretty hard to keep in practice, especially if it is a family vehicle and not a commercial one. Plus, other things can spill inside the car, like groceries or spare motor oil stored inside. Keep a cloth, some gentle all-purpose cleaner and some paper towels handy to make sure you can deal with spillages right away before they have seeped into the interior.
