Any vehicle gets dirty and soiled on the inside sooner or later. Seats get covered with dirt and dyes from clothing, the steering wheel collects oil and dirt from your hands, there is dirt on the floor from shoes, etc. The best way to clean the interior and exterior of a vehicle is by using a steam cleaner.
First, you do not need any chemicals, as the process is based on hot steam and pressure. Secondly, this is more than surface cleaning, as steam penetrates deep into the upholstery. With a high-quality steam cleaner for cars, you can clean all surfaces (including any hard-to-reach places) safely and disinfect them at the same time. Here is how.
- Start With Carpets and Fabric
First, vacuum the surfaces to remove dirt and debris. Then, use your equipment with a triangular brush. The attachment will lift out dirt which the steam will loosen. Clean the carpet first, and then the seats. Move your tool slowly, but fast enough to prevent wet areas.
You may use a crevice attachment to get to hard-to-reach places. Remember to make overlapping passes to ensure thoroughness. When working with the seats, brush them lightly to keep the fabric intact. Finally, vacuum the carpets again to get rid of any remaining dirt.
- Clean Leather, Plastic, and Vinyl
For these surfaces, you need a soft attachment (cloth or foam) for delicate areas and a triangular brush. Work with plastic and vinyl first. Clean the dashboard, radio display, steering wheel, and the area around the gear shift.
Then, move on to your leather seats. The carpet attachment with a microfiber cloth will prevent scratches. Work gently.
- Hard-to-reach Places
These include your dashboard vents, cracks, and crevices in the plastic trim, spaces between the seats and the console, cup holders, etc. You will need a crevice tool or a steam jet nozzle. When steaming, place the tip as close to the surface as possible, and apply it directly onto the dirt. Then, dry and vacuum the areas.
- Clean the Headliner
This area must be cleaned very carefully to avoid damage to the glue. First, use your cleaner with a microfiber cloth covering its tip. Move quickly, without staying in one place for too long.
- Windows
Put a squeegee attachment on your machine or use a wide attachment wrapped in microfiber. Clean the windows moving from the top down. If you are using a squeegee, wipe its edge after every pass.
Final Words
Remember that steam cleaning does not only eliminate any dirt — it also sanitizes the surfaces. Hot vapor kills bacteria that may cause illness and bad smells. Finally, you may also use it to clean any items inside the car, such as seat covers and child safety seats.