The summer is winding down and if you’re like us, your car – interiors included- may have taken a beating over the adventure season. Last time we talked about how to clean car interior fabrics and this time we are looking at the other popular interior material: vinyl. It makes for a stylish, slick look to any ride, but if it isn’t maintained it can drastically drag down the appearance. Follow these steps to keep your ride looking fresh.
How to Clean Car Interior: Vinyl
When it comes to cleaning vinyl interior, it is much a similar job as fabrics, you will be vacuuming out your car, spot cleaning any stains, and then wiping your way through one surface at a time.
- Start by vacuuming out the carpets and upholstery, removing the dirt and various debris. If the vacuum has a metal attachment be sure to -NOT- use it, as it may scratch the vinyl.
- Use a cleaner such as a commercially available vinyl cleaner or even a homemade recipe.
Quick Tip: You can use glass cleaner on vinyl, wiping the surfaces down with a soft cloth. Alternatively use a mixture of baking soda and water.
Quick Warning: Just be sure not to use any oil-based cleaners, they will cause the vinyl to harden and age drastically. The exact opposite of what we are trying to do right now!
- Use a detailing brush (or a tooth brush like we mentioned last time!) to clean the seams of the upholstery, dirt and grime often gets stuck in these crevices and the vacuum can miss them.
- Once the seats are taken care of it is time for the floor mats. Make an all-purpose cleaning mixture using 1 part water to 1 part dishwashing soap, pray the mat and use a soft brush, rinse with warm water. If the mats are vinyl as well, apply a wax or polish to really make them shine.
So long as you follow these basic instructions, you can maintain your interiors and make for much longer time between visits to repairmen. Incorporate it with your biweekly washing schedule (you do wash your car regularly right?) and it will be second nature in no time. Your ride will be sparkling inside and out.
If your vinyl is just a bit beyond the pale when it comes to cleaning or maintenance, maybe a few too many deep scratches have left your car looking like a wild cat transportation vehicle, then feel free to contact us and our interior professionals can get to work breathing new life into your upholstery. Vinyl, fabric, leather, or otherwise we have the tools, experience, and know how to get the job done and have you riding in style.
