Keeping your car’s interior like new takes a little elbow grease, but the rewards are worth it. Here are some expert tips to keep your car’s interior looking like new for years to come.

Invest in Car Mats

To protect your car’s carpet from mud, dust, spills and dirt in general, floor mats are a wise investment. Floor mats stand up to everyday life and daily use of your car. They make cleanup a breeze by catching most of the dirt and debris which can be easily vacuumed. Mats can also be removed and sprayed down with a hose.

Lining your trunk with a mat is another life saver. Because so many different things end up in your trunk, dirt and spills are a common occurrence. Mats protect the lining of your trunk no matter what you need to transport.

Vacuum and Dust

Along with regular car washes, take the time to vacuum. Use a shop vac with a crevice tool to scoop up crumbs quickly and easily. Don’t forget to vacuum the seats and space near the back window.

Keep a duster in the glove box for a quick surface dusting once or twice a week. Removing dust and dirt on a weekly basis prevents grime from settling into door handles and the steering wheel down the road.

Clean and Protect

While quick, frequent dusting is recommended, a deep penetrating treatment with a product designed for the car interior is a must for cleaning dashboards and other hard surfaces. Over time, the interior becomes dirty, dull and worn. Use a clean, soft cloth to clean and polish hard surfaces, restoring them to original condition.

Other supplies to keep in the glove box or storage compartment are screen saver or Windex wipes to clean interior glass, the rearview mirror and other plexiglass areas that become smeared and dirty. Q-tips catch dust and dirt in those hard-to-reach spaces.

A designated bag for garbage encourages you and your passengers to dispose of used items right away so they don’t accumulate and take over space in the car.

Lastly, take advantage of air fresheners to keep your car smelling fresh and clean.

No matter how long you’ve enjoyed your ride, it’s possible to keep the interior fresh, clean and looking like new for the life of the car.

Now that your car’s interior looks like new, contact Downtown Autobody in Sonoma County for all the services you need to repair those exterior dents, scratches and complete body and paint restoration.