Dry cleaning your car's interior

For many car owners, the car is the biggest single purchase of their life, so it needs to be kept in order and clean at all times. You don't really think that once you've passed your driving test and got your licence you'll just be driving around, do you? So who, may I ask, is going to wash and clean your car? Every driver washes the outside of their car regularly, but not everyone tidies up the interior.

Tidying the inside matters not only for looks, but also so there are no problems with the wiring, which can fail because of built-up dust. Dirty car glass can cause a crash, because poor visibility — remember what your driving instructor told you about that. And the dirt and grease that build up in vents and on buttons can cause them to break.

Dry cleaning the interior isn't just vacuuming and flicking off the dust — it goes much deeper. Many drivers rely on the dry-cleaning service at car washes. But you can do it yourself too, so here are a few tips and steps: first, clear out any large debris; second, wipe away the dust with a damp cloth; and third, the dry-cleaning itself begins, where you use cleaning and protective products.

Before starting the dry-clean, clear all the rubbish out of the cabin, then vacuum it, and if the upholstery needs a thorough clean, just take the seats out and remove the mats.

For the dry-clean you'll only need a cloth, a vacuum cleaner, a brush and a cleaning product. Spray the product onto heavily soiled spots, scrub a little with the brush, and then blot it with the cloth. That's how you clean the whole interior (ceiling, floor). It's very monotonous, drawn-out work.

Clean the glass with a dedicated glass solution. Don't spray the product straight onto the glass — it's better to spray it onto a microfibre cloth and wipe, so you won't get any streaks on your car's glass. If your windows are tinted, never spray them with a cleaning product containing ammonia. That kind of product can crack and discolour the tint film.

For the plastic trim, choose a dedicated plastic-care product. It repels dust from the trim and gives it the shine of a brand-new car. All vents and buttons should be cleaned with cotton swabs and a toothbrush.

If you do have the patience to dry-clean your car yourself, at the end of all that time spent you get a car that's completely clean, as if you'd just driven it out of the showroom.