When people think of car washing, they usually imagine wash bays, and cars being sprayed with soap and water, cleaning the exterior of vehicles. But one great way to satisfy your customer's vehicle needs and increase your revenue is cleaning interiors as well!
The car interior requires a different process than exteriors do as you may guess, so today we are discussing how you can clean your car's interior, including your chemical and equipment options. Along with some helpful tips for those at home car owners.
How to clean a car's interior for car wash businesses
In order to ensure that your customers are happy with the level of cleanliness of their car, it is important to pay attention to detail as there are lots of small areas within a car that need particular care. We'll break down some of the areas you will want to pay extra attention to when cleaning a car's interior.
Steering Wheel
The steering wheel is one of the dirtiest parts inside a car. Over time, it can become stained and sticky from the natural oils on our hands, or even food residue.
Steering wheels may even have buttons or controls that will need to be gently cleaned to avoid damage.
We recommend using some type of all-purpose interior cleaner along with microfiber cloths to clean the steering wheel. If there are buttons present, you can use a small gentle detailing brush to get within the little spaces.
Car Dashboard
The dashboard is another area that gets a lot of use and can gather plenty of dirt over time.
To clean a dashboard, you will want to use an all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner designed for the dash's material (leather, plastic, wood or aluminum depending on the car). You can apply this directly to a clean microfiber cloth and wipe down the entire surface of the car's interior.
Be sure to pay attention to any areas with buttons or vents, as you will want to avoid getting water or cleaner inside of these.
These same tips work for a vehicle's center console, which you will want to make sure you clean as well.
Seats
Car seats see a lot of wear and tear, and over time they can become stained or even ripped. To clean your car seats, you will want to use an a microfiber cloth dipped in an upholstery cleaner or a scrub brush for more intense stains.
Leather seats will need leather cleaners as their material is different and regular cleaners may be too harsh.
Carpets
The carpets in a car can become stained and discolored over time, especially if you have light-colored carpets.
To clean your carpets, you will want to use a carpet or upholstery cleaner and a brush attachment. You can apply the cleaner directly to the carpet and brush it in with the attachment. But be sure to vacuum the area free from any crumbs and pet hair first. Tough stains can be removed with a drill brush attachment.
Floor mats
Remove your carpeted mats, and give them a vacuuming and/or brushing. Treat them similarly to your carpet, so you should use some type of cleaner on them and then let them dry outside before putting them back into the vehicle. Clean floor mats are things customers love to see! If you're really looking to step up your mat cleaning, several companies manufacture machines specifically to clean floor mats.
Trunk
The trunk is often one of the dirtiest and most neglected areas in a car. But it is important to clean it out every so often to avoid any build-up of dirt and grime.
To clean your trunk, you will want to use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. You can vacuum any loose dirt or debris that may be present.
You can also use an all-purpose cleaner or a mild soap and water solution to wipe down the trunk area.
Be sure to pay attention to any areas with buttons or latches, as you will want to avoid getting water or cleaner inside of these.
Door Panels
The door panels are another area that you will want to clean as they can have shoe marks and dirt on them. Take extra care to get inside door handles and storage compartments as they areas often collect dirt and other residue. To clean your door panels, you will want to use an all purpose cleaner and then give them a wipe-down.
Windows and Mirrors
There is nothing better than a clean mirror, so be sure to clean the interior windows and mirrors within the vehicle. Any strong glass cleaner can be used with a microfiber cloth to give it a streak-free finish.
Cleaning the Engine Bay
Without regular cleaning, engine bays become quite dirty and it is an area most car owners ignore. Likewise, lots of car cleaning businesses don't clean it, especially if it wasn't requested by the customer. But is an easy 'wow factor' for lots of customers and will help make them a customer for life!
The best way to clean the engine is actually quite simple - just use a low-pressure hose to remove any dirt or grime. You can also use a degreaser to break down any stubborn grease buildup. Just be sure to avoid getting any water inside the engine itself.
Make sure you cover any electrical components with some sort of plastic or tarp before you start spraying down the engine.
Chemicals you will need for cleaning car interior
We'll focus on the type of cleaners you will need. But we recommend looking for high-quality car care products as you will want to ensure you supply a great clean to your customers. You can trust that Turtle Wax's interior care line has everything you will need to clean vehicles effectively, with just a few drops.
For those at home car owners who want to try a more DIY method, you can try using a vinegar and water solution for most cleaning opportunities. For more tough stains, a baking soda scrub could prove to be helpful.
But even for those at home, car care products will frankly not only do a better job, but are affordable as well.
Car Interior Cleaners
Choosing a good cleaner is a must to clean off all those surfaces within a car. You can choose to use an all-purpose car interior cleaner which as the name suggests, can be used on any and all interior surfaces. But there are also surface-type specific products such as for suede, vinyl, leather, plastic, etc. These products are specifically formulated to work on that surface and may produce a better finish and clean.
Carpet Care
To clean your car interior carpets, you will want to use a good quality carpet shampoo. This type of product is designed to break down dirt and grime that may be embedded in the fibers of the carpet. You will want to avoid using household cleaners as they could damage or discolor the car's floor.
The carpet may be wet to the touch for a couple of hours and will need to air dry.
Upholstery Cleaner
For car upholstery, you will want to use an upholstery cleaner. This type of product is designed to clean fabric without damaging it, which is exactly what you will want for cloth seats. You will want to test the product on a small area first to ensure it does not discolor the fabric. The cloth seats may be wet after cleaning, and they will need time to dry.
Leather Care
For leather surfaces, you will want to use a leather cleaner and conditioner. This type of product are designed to work on leather and will clean it and help to protect it from cracking and fading which is common for leather seats.
After cleaning, you can use a leather conditioner to help keep the leather looking its best.
You will want to avoid using any harsh cleaners on leather as this could damage it and strip its natural oils.
Surface Protectants
After you have cleaned the vehicle's interior surfaces, you may want to consider using a surface protectant. This type of product will help to repel dirt and stains and make it easier to clean in the future.
You will want to choose a product that is designed for the specific surface you are treating, and then apply to the surface, before wiping clean with a clean cloth.
Glass Cleaner
This type of cleaner is different from the other type of cleaners you will use and you should save it for the glass within the vehicle. Spray it along the surface you are cleaning and wipe with a clean microfiber towel. Ensure all windows and mirrors are streak free and clear from any spots or fingers prints.
Equipment you will need for cleaning car interiors
Microfiber cloth or towels
We've mentioned these cloths earlier and be sure to use them well as they will be extremely helpful throughout your interior cleaning process.
They don't leave any residue, clean well, and are made of soft cloth which makes this fabric ideal for cleaning vehicles.
Steam Cleaners
If you have access to a steam cleaner, this could be a great option for cleaning your car. They are designed to clean surfaces without the use of any chemicals and can be extremely helpful in getting those hard to reach places.
Detail Brushes
Detail brushes are designed to help you clean those hard to reach areas and can be extremely helpful in cleaning the nooks and crannies of your car.
They come in various sizes and can be made with either natural or synthetic bristles.
Shop Vacuum
You will want a high-powered vacuum to clean the inside of the vehicle before doing any thorough cleaning. The hair, dirt, and crumbs will make the rest of the process difficult so be sure to take care of it early!
Extension cords, detailing brush, and more
You will also need a few other pieces of equipment to make your life easier. This includes an extension cord to help you reach all areas within the vehicle, various brushes to help clean those hard-to-reach areas, air fresheners for tough odors and much more. This list can be endless but be sure to keep lots of small tools in reach for any unique situations which may arise in your cleaning job.
How to Keep your car interior clean
Cleaning a car's interior is one thing but keeping it clean is another.
Here are some tips on keeping that newly clean interior looking spotless.
Vacuum regularly
Be sure to vacuum the entire interior of your vehicle at least once a week. This will help to keep dirt and crumbs from accumulating and making the cleaning process more difficult later on.
Wipe down surfaces
After every use, be sure to wipe down all surfaces within the car. This includes the dash, console, door panels, and more. We recommend to keep some cleaning wipes within reach which will make this a breeze.
Clean up spills immediately
Whenever there is a spill, be sure to clean it up immediately. This will help to prevent stains from setting in and becoming stubborn stains.
Take Trash out Regularly
Trash such as coffee cups can build up quickly, so be sure to take all the trash out of the interior of your car on a regular basis.
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Contact Turtle Wax Pro for any Car Wash Needs
All aspects of the car wash business are important, whether it is related to cleaning the interior, or the exterior of a car.
With over 75 years of car care experience, Turtle Wax is a brand you can expect results from. We have seen it all and have supported car wash businesses of all types in their efforts of washing and cleaning vehicles.
If you have any inquiries related to your car wash business, you can reach out to us anytime.
