If you’ve spent as much time browsing car forums as The Drive’s editors have, you’ve likely seen your fair share of dirty vehicles. If not, you've probably seen our coverage of some of the more dramatic before-and-after basket cases that bubble up. In some instances, it’s like the owners completely forgot that people actually need to be able to ride in a vehicle without catching a bacterial disease in the process. Garbage, old food, and mystery stains are common calls-to-duty, but even a mildly dirty car interior is reason to take action.

Thankfully, you don’t need special skills to clean your car’s interior. All it takes is time, patience, and some common cleaning products that can be found almost anywhere. Sure, you could pay someone to clean your car’s interior, but professional cleaning jobs can be quite expensive. That's why The Drive’s editors are here to help you get started cleaning your car’s interior like a pro. Grab your vacuum cleaner, microfiber rags and a large helping of patience. Let’s get rolling.

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Estimated Time Needed: 1-3 Hours, depending on how dirty you’ve let your vehicle become

Just like you’d take your car to a car wash to remove dirt from its exterior, you’ll need to take the time to clean dirt from its interior as well. Unfortunately for you, there’s no magical interior cleaning robot like there is for washing the exterior of your car, and unless you’re willing to pay someone else to do the dirty work for you, it’s time to roll up your sleeves.

Believe it or not, you can actually hurt yourself while cleaning your car’s interior. 

Don't miss the details. Clean in and around small parts of the interior.

You probably have many items on the list, but even the ones you don’t won’t break the bank to buy.

Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)

You’ll also want to seek out a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren’t getting your ride out of the clink.

Let’s do this! 

Because you’ll be vacuuming during this process, it’s best to get the dirt off of the higher surfaces before cleaning the lower ones. Just as you would start washing your car at the top, this will let debris fall to be scooped up later. 

Special solutions for leathers and other materials are your friend.

To finish the job, replace the mats and any other pieces of the vehicle’s interior that you removed during the cleaning process. Check your work to be sure you didn’t miss anything big, and take note of stains or spots that weren’t able to be cleaned during cleaning. Stubborn stains, such as the ones left behind after a melted crayon is removed, may need professional help or additional attention with a special stain removal spray or tool. Now is also the time to install an air freshener, if that’s your thing.

You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!

A: In most cases, no. Automotive cleaners are designed to remove dirt without damaging the materials inside your cabin. Bleach and other chemicals in household cleaners can cause damage to both upholstered and plastic surfaces.

A: If you’ve spilled milk or some other stinky substance inside your car, you have a few options. Carpet sprays and odor control products work to an extent, as does white vinegar, but for super tough odors you might need to get help from professional cleaners. They have ozone tools and other tricks to get tough odors out of your car.

A: Suede and Alcantara (suede-like material) can be cleaned, but will need to be treated differently than standard leather or cloth. You will need to find suede cleaner that will break down dirt and stains without damaging the material underneath. A detailing brush and microfiber towels will help you work the cleaner into the suede and dry it properly afterward. It’s important to remember that suede and Alcantara both need time to dry out before you start sitting on seats or gripping a steering wheel covered in the material.

A: It’s only best if you don’t have the time or space to clean on your own. Or, you know, if somebody got a little too saucy. Professional cleaning certainly won’t be cheaper than doing the work yourself.

A: Nobody’s going to judge you if you don’t want to use these products, but they do help protect from sun damage and other age-related damage. Just be sure to apply them as directed and avoid applying the products to the steering wheel or other parts of the interior that you’ll need to grip to properly operate the vehicle.

We’re here to be expert guides in everything How-To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below and let’s talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles. And you can always shoot us a note at guidesandgear@thedrive.com.

Jonathon Klein: Twitter (@jonathon.klein), Instagram (@jonathon_klein)

Tony Markovich: Twitter (@T_Marko), Instagram (@t_marko)

Chris Teague: Twitter (@TeagueDrives), Instagram (@TeagueDrives)

Toni Scott: Twitter (@mikurubaeahina), Instagram (@reimuracing)

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