Cleaning your car and then keeping it clean can be a time-consuming job. There are lots of crevices and hard-to-reach spots. But it doesn’t have to be such a chore–if you know 15 ridiculously clever car cleaning hacks to make it easier. Your car will look so good, people may think you got it detailed!
Car Cleaning Hacks
AC Vents
Use a cheap foam brush or a soft bristle paintbrush to clean out your air conditioning vents. Keep a vacuum handy to suck up the dust as you brush it out.
Replace The Air Filter
Is there a musty smell in your car you just can’t seem to get rid of? It might be time to change your air filter.
Grimy Door Handles
Use an old toothbrush and some soapy water (dish soap works best!) to remove all of the built up grime.
Polish the Leather
Instead of buying leather cleaner or special upholstery wipes, use olive oil instead! It costs less and it’s totally natural. Simply apply a small amount of oil on a clean rag and rub it into your seats. Be sure to apply sparingly–a little goes a long way.
Bug Removal
There’s no need to rush to the car wash to get rid of all those dead bugs after a road trip. All you need is a dryer sheet! Simply wet it and go to work! The bugs will come off easier than they do with a water hose. Plus, it doesn’t have to be a new dryer sheet. A used one works just as well.
No More Animal Hair
Instead of spending hours vacuuming up all of the animal hair on your seats, use a squeegee and a spray bottle first. Fill the bottle with water, mist the seats, and use the squeegee to loosen the hair. Now it’ll be much easier to vacuum it up.
Additional Car Cleaning Hacks
Get Crumbs Out of Your Seat Corners
It is amazing how many crumbs get stuck in the cracks of car seats. Use a fine bristled brush to crush out any crumbs and then vacuum them up.
Car Cleaning Hacks for Floor Mats
Spray some stain remover on your car mats and toss them in the washing machine. It’s just that easy, and this will make the biggest difference in your car!
Line the Cup Holders
Cup holders may be the dirtiest part of your car. Prevent the mess from ever happening with silicone cupcake liners. Place one each in the bottom of your cup holders. The cake liner catches crumbs and spills, keeping the cup holders from getting sticky. Just throw them in the dishwasher when it’s time to clean the car.
Clean the Cracks
Use your vacuum’s narrow attachment wand to remove all the crumbs from the cracks and crevices in your car’s interior.
Stop the Smear
Wipe down your wipers with some rubbing alcohol. They’ll clean your windshield better and last longer.
Window Hack
Before you clean the car windows, roll them down and clean the very tops. This part of your windows is often forgotten.
Headlight Hack
Use regular toothpaste to polish dingy headlights. You’ll be amazed at how much brighter they are!
Keeping It Fresh
To keep your car smelling fresh, put some baking soda in a mason jar. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Lavender works well. Stick the mason jar in a cup holder where it will be secure.
Clean Your Child’s Car Seat
This is likely the most dreaded area of your whole car. But our car cleaning hacks can help! Try this tutorial from Ask Anna that will make the job at least somewhat tolerable.
Don’t neglect your car when winter comes. Here are some smart car cleaning hacks just for winter weather!
My favorite idea is the one about using silicone cupcake liners in the drink holders! Genius, and so simple!
Dog hair in the car drives me nuts but certain of our dogs have to go, they get so excited The Schnauzers aren’t a real problem but we have 2 large, short haired dogs who have to get on the seats as soon as I leave it to shop. Then the back of my clothes are covered with it! I bought canvas car seats from the seat protector section of online pet supply companies and keep a wisk broom in the car. But what I’m going to try the squeege & water idea on is the carpeting in the back of the minivan with all the rear seats permanently stored in the floor since I’m always filling the expanded cargo area with lumber, garden soil, fencing, and plants – and dogs. I sweep it out but nothing helps with the white dog hair.