How to Clean Your Car’s Interior
From crumbs to dust-covered dashboards, the interior of your car needs to be regularly cleaned and maintained. Below, we’re simplifying the process as we share some basic car interior cleaning tips to get your car clean and shining in no time.
Car Cleaning Essentials You’ll Need
Before you begin your interior car wash, make sure you’re equipped with the right tools such as:
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Vacuum with Attachments: A good vacuum packed with versatile attachments will help you to reach tight spots in your car.
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Reusable Soft Cloths: Use Viva® Signature Cloth™ to clean up deep messes without damaging your car’s interior. This paper towel works to effectively tackle the messes in your car thanks to its 2x more durable* cloth.
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Interior Cleaner: Pick the right cleaner for your car’s materials – whether it’s fabric, vinyl, leather, or plastic. Make sure it’s appropriate for the material you’re applying it on.
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Carpet Cleaner: Got stubborn stains? These can lift the toughest spots from your mats for efficient car carpet cleaning.
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Detailing Brushes: These little brushes sweep out dust and debris from vents, seams, and those hard-to-reach spots.
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Bucket and Water: Useful for rinsing paper towels and mixing up your cleaning solutions. It keeps everything you need within arm’s reach for effective cleanliness.
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Glass Cleaner: Use this regularly to keep your windows and mirrors streak-free.
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Trash Bags: Handy for collecting and disposing debris, trash bags are an important tool to keep your car organized during the cleaning process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Interior Car Cleaning
Cleaning your car’s interior doesn’t have to be overwhelming! By breaking it down into easy and manageable steps, you’ll have your car looking spotless in no time. This guide will walk you through each part of your car. Grab your gear and let’s dive in!
How to Revive Car Floor Mats
Start by pulling out your car floor mats. They tend to take on the daily grime, dust, and debris. Give them a good shake to toss out loose dirt, then vacuum both sides. Got rubber mats? Hose them down, scrub with soap and water, and let them dry before using them. For fabric mats, tackle stains by using car carpet cleaner.
Wipe Down and Disinfect Surfaces
Now that the mats are out of the way, it’s time to take on the dust! Dust settles, so start from the top and work your way down. This trick keeps you from doubling up on the same spots.
Grab some Viva® Signature Cloth™ and wipe everything down: the dash, steering wheel, console, and any other surfaces in sight. Make sure to also get the air vents and cupholders. Once that’s done, use an interior-safe cleaner to hit high-touch areas like the steering wheel and door handles.
Restore Car Seats
Your car seats go through a lot – spills, crumbs, dirt, and more! The cleaning method depends on the material
For leather seats, start by vacuuming to get rid of any loose dirt that might scratch the surface. Then, grab your leather seat cleaner and gently wipe in circular motions with your Viva® Signature Cloth™ . Once done, apply a leather conditioner to keep them soft and crack-free, preserving their luxurious look for the long haul. For upholstered seats, vacuum first to clear away any dirt, crumbs, and/or hair. For stains, spray upholstery cleaner directly on the spot. Let it sit, then scrub away with a paper towel. Blot with some paper towels but avoid soaking the fabric. Let it air dry, and you’re good to go!
Vacuum Dirt from the Floor
With the seats and surfaces gleaming, it’s time to face the floor! Vacuuming the car floor is a must to get rid of suborn dirt, and/or crumbs that get in small corners. Use the hose attachment to dive into tight spots such as under the seats, between the console, and along the edges. If the carpet in your car is extra grimy, a carpet cleaner can work wonders to refresh it and bring it back to life!
Shine Up Your Car Windows
Clean windows give your car a polished look and improve your visibility. Here’s where paper towels do the trick! Spray some glass cleaner on the paper towels and move them in a circular motion to avoid streaks. Don’t forget your rearview mirror and any side mirrors – they need love, too! For an extra touch of shine, follow up with a dry paper towel to buff out any leftover streaks and leave your windows glistening.
Freshen Up the Air in Your Car
Now that you’ve finished deep cleaning inside your car, it’s time to freshen up how your car smells! Get an air freshener or an odor-eliminating spray to zap any lingering smells, leaving your car with a pleasant scent. Looking for a naturally smelling alternative? Place a small bag of activated charcoal under your seat to help absorb odors. Alternatively, you could add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a cotton ball and hide it away. With these tricks, your car won’t just look incredible – it’ll smell incredible, too!

How Often Should I Clean My Car?
Keeping your car’s interior clean isn’t just about looks – it’s about creating a healthier space, too! Life can get messy fast. Focus on a DIY clean car routine every two weeks to help clean your car of dirt, dust, and debris. A quick vacuum, a wipe down of any surfaces, and shaking out the floor mats can make a world of difference in keeping the dirt under control.
For a deep clean inside your car – think scrubbing carpets, refreshing seats, and disinfecting high-touch areas – aim for once a month.
Remember, life’s little messes can affect how often you need to clean. If you frequently transport your pets, kids, or eat on-the-go, you might need a little more TLC to keep your car fresh. The key is regular maintenance to keep your car comfortable and help preserve its value in the long run.
Rev Up Your Car Cleaning Routine with Viva®
"Don’t let stubborn car messes stress you out – let Viva® paper towels handle the grime so that you can focus on the drive! Ideal for tough messes, Viva® Signature Cloth™ is durable against spills, making it perfect for cleaning your surfaces and leather seats.
* when wet vs. the leading 1-ply value brand
Keep your car pristine with Viva® Paper Towels.