You’re all ready and raring to go on a road trip. You’ve got great company, your music playlist is ready to be synced, and snacks are aplenty. You open the doors of your car and suddenly, you are assailed by a rotten smell.
Don’t let your car cruising moments be ruined just because you neglected to clean your car interiors.
From doing basic cleaning to getting professional car care services, caring for your car’s cabin is something that should be regularly practiced to keep your vehicle interiors clean and in tip-top shape.
Cabin Comfort
Having a neat and nice-looking cabin is key to enjoying your car more. Even if the exterior of your vehicle is all sleek and shiny, when your interiors are reeking of neglect and disrepair, then it totally dials down the car ownership experience.
It is therefore crucial to ensure that your interiors are clean and in top condition. An ideal cabin is both free from dust, dirt, and grime or other kinds of filth. Your upholstery and other interior surfaces must also be kept pristine or at least, prevented to become grungy, shabby, or tattered.
Aside from your own efforts to maintain the cleanliness of your vehicle, you can also seek the professional assistance of a car care center. Just as you bring your vehicle in for routine preventive maintenance services (PMS) and tune-ups, you should also make it a point to have your car deep cleaned and detailed at regular intervals. Having the interiors vacuumed, your fabrics shampooed and conditioned, or your leather moisturized and protected are just some of the ways to keep your cabin looking fresh and feeling clean.
Whether you have a car for your personal use or using it for business such as a car rental or delivery vehicle, it is imperative to make it as neat and clean as possible. More than just maintain the good looks of your cabin, sanitizing it also ensures a pleasant driving experience for you and your passengers.
To make it easier for you, we have compiled some tips on how to keep your car’s cabin in excellent condition:
1. Clear Out the Trash
First and foremost, you must ensure that you rid your car of any visible trash. Clear out food containers, candy wrappings, or other litter inside the car. Organize the contents of your car, whether it is inside the glove compartment, the passenger area, or the trunk.
If you have cargo, make sure to check that it is not in a topsy-turvy state. Remove unnecessary items. Having excess goods will not only overcrowd your vehicle, it also affects fuel economy.
To avoid having trash lying around the vehicle, practice discipline and mindfulness. If you are not the only one using the car, then place a trash bag or small bin where you can stash the trash. Make sure that you empty it out regularly to prevent it from overflowing.
2. Wipe the Windows
Windows play an important role in your driving experience as well. Not only does it afford you a view of the scenery that you pass by, but it also makes it safer for you to see the vehicles, people, or other road users around your car.
Make sure that your windows are clean and clear. You can regularly wipe it down with a window cleaner or have your car professionally washed. Have your windows replaced or repaired by a professional auto service technician if necessary.
Do not forget to also wipe and ensure that your side mirrors are clean and not blurry. It is another important safety feature that will also help you see blind spots.
3. Assess the Air Conditioning System
Having a clean interior does not just stop by what you can see. You also need to check if the interior cabin air you’re breathing is safe and free from noxious odors and other pollutants.
To do this, make sure that your air conditioning (AC) system is working properly. Have your air filters regularly checked and replace if needed. Do not forget to have the experts at a car care center have a look at your AC system to ensure that everything is running well.
4. Have it Detailed
Even if you do routine cleaning of your car, you should still make it a point to bring your vehicle to a car care clinic and have it detailed. This will ensure that all the nooks and crannies that you may have missed will be attended to.
Bring your car to a reputable auto service center for detailing. Aside from making it look polished on the outside, it also sees to it that the interiors are properly maintained. Deep-cleaning the car will not only keep it clean, but it will also help in prolonging the life of your interior surfaces and upholstery. It will make your car look newer for longer and just as immaculate as when you first drove it out of the showroom.
5. Repair and Replace
Bringing your car to your trusty service center will also ensure that the car care experts can assess if there are any parts that need to be repaired or replaced.
Faulty locks, defective interior lighting, damaged seats, and other irregularities must be attended to at the soonest time possible. This will help prevent further complications that may result to costly repairs or replacements down the road.
6. Look Out for Your Leathers
If your vehicle has leather upholstery or features, then it is ideal to bring it to a professional car care center. Leathers can crack and become stiff if not properly maintained.
Car care specialists will apply moisturizer and protectant to help your leather surfaces maintain its color and moisture content. You should also see to it that any holes or tears must be immediately repaired to avoid it from getting worse.
7. Don’t Forget to Disinfect
Aside from sanitizing your car interiors, you should also be vigilant in disinfecting it. Disinfecting your cabin ensures that you and your loved ones are protected from any bacteria or viruses that may pose a risk to your health. Common colds, the flu, and other similar diseases may be avoided if you make sure that you keep your cabin interiors as germ-free as possible.
After cleaning your car, disinfect using antimicrobial products, diluted household bleach solutions, or alcohol solutions (at least 70% alcohol). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for its proper concentration, application, and ventilation.
Take extra note of frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, light and window switches, knobs, steering wheel, gear sticks or paddle shifters, or touch screens.
Interior Improvements
When you want to make the most out of your car, make sure that you maintain it well. Ensuring that the cabin is clean can help keep your car spick-and-span. You and your passengers will also have a more enjoyable time inside the cabin.
In addition to your personal efforts in maintaining neatness, you should also remember to have your car detailed and cared for by professional car care specialists. With their experience and expertise, you can look forward to many more miles of delightful driving.
AUTHOR BIO
Ahmad Ramadan is a Managing Partner at Deutsche Technik Service Center, Dubai’s first and largest VW, Audi, Mercedes, Bentley, Porsche, & Lamborghini vehicle specialist and performance tuner. DT has also built an illustrious portfolio in classic car repair, maintenance, and restoration, as well as bodywork (accident repair, painting, and denting). DT Service Centre offers a full range of services: mechanical repairs, maintenance, servicing, etc.