Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Interior Detailing

100% of any driving experience, pleasant or not, is encountered inside a vehicle. It goes without saying that the look, smell and cleanliness of a vehicle’s interior totally affects any driving experience. Regular car interior maintenance prevents bad odours, minimises microbial buildup, protects surfaces from fading and reduces the chances of cracking and discolouration. Additionally, it is imperative car windows are kept in tip-top condition to ensure optimal visibility as well as road safety. Therefore, interior cleaning is essential for comfort, hygiene and value retainment on the vehicle.

For an interior to look its best, the following is recommended:

• Weekly: Vacuum all interior surfaces (including air vents) to prevent dust and grime build up. Use a clean microfibre cloth each time the car is washed to wipe over the interior surfaces and clean the windows.
• Monthly: Use Autodazzle Interior Cleaner to clean the dashboard, interior plastics and panels. In addition, use an Interior Dressing which has a UV filter to prevent plastics from fading and becoming brittle.
• Every 3 months: Get a full interior detail, cleaning all fabrics, leather, plastic, etc. to remove the build-up of grime and grease. Apply protectants to repel water, grease and grime. This step is best carried out by a professional autodetailer.

Car interiors are comprised of different materials which require different types of care. Below are recommendations on ways to achieve the clean car feeling.

How to vacuum

1. Remove floor mats to access accumulated dirt.
2. Use appropriate vacuum attachments for access to hard-to-reach areas. Use brush attachments for surfaces that are prone to scratching.
3. Vacuum floor mats, seats and air vents thoroughly. If possible, remove car seats to ensure an effective deep clean.

How to clean Carpets, Mats and Door Shuts

Tip: Clean floor mats first to allow ample drying time.

1. Brush rubber and fabric or carpet-type floor mats with water and Autodazzle All-purpose Cleaner or Autodazzle Interior Cleaner.
2. It is imperative the correct brush is used to prevent material damage. Some rubber floor mats come with liquid draining and containing areas. Pay attention to these areas as reactions of liquids with heat and sunlight can result hard-to-remove stains.
3. Once carpets get dry, use fabric protectants for excellent protection from staining and grease.

How to Clean Fabric

Fabric seats due to their absorbent nature are more prone to staining than leather.

Work Autodazzle Interior Cleaner into mild stains and wipe off using a clean Microfibre Cloth. For tougher stains, or areas of discolouration, use an upholstery brush and Autodazzle All-purpose Cleaner or Autodazzle Degreaser.

Note: The following steps are recommended for fabric cleaning.

1. Brush surface with an upholstery brush to loosen or remove dried dirt and grime build-up.
2. Inspect surface for stains not removed by the previous step.
3. If there are any more stains, spray Autodazzle Interior Cleaner, , Autodazzle All-purpose Cleaner or Autodazzle Degreaser on affected areas and agitate with a brush. Use a damp microfibre to dab these areas until all excess residue is removed. Allow to air dry.
4. Spray a fabric protectant on dry surface to protect from future grime, dirt and stains.

How to Clean Leather

Interior leather tends to be a mixture of textured vinyl, faux leather and authentic leather. To clean, use either Autodazzle All-purpose Cleaner or Autodazzle Interior Cleaner.

1. It is good practice to clean leather in small sections. Apply the cleaning solution to one section and wipe with a damp Microfibre Cloth. Repeat this step until the whole area is completely clean.
2. Use a small detailing brush to remove accumulated dirt in stitches and folds commonly found on surfaces with intricate leather designs.
3. Apply a conditioner or coating after cleaning all leather surfaces to protect surfaces from drying, cracking and UV-radiation.

How to clean Alcantara or Suede

Alcantara or suede is the most delicate of all interior surfaces as it is a combination of both fabric and leather. Hence, it is vital for extra care to be taken during the cleaning process. Prior to cleaning, perform a spot test on an inconspicuous area to check for colour fastness.

1. Use a soft bristle upholstery brush to loosen and remove any accumulated dried dirt and grime.
2. Inspect the surface for stains that have not been removed by Step 1
3. In the absence of stains, freshen up alcantara by giving it a light spray of dilute Autodazzle All-purpose Cleaner or Autodazzle Interior Cleaner and wipe over with a Microfibre Cloth.
4. Spray dilute Autodazzle All-purpose Cleaner or Autodazzle Interior Cleaner on the soiled surface and agitate with a soft bristle brush to remove stains.
5. Remove any residue using a damp Microfibre Cloth and allow to air dry.
6. Once the area is dry spray a fabric protectant to minimise grime, dirt and stain build up.

It is often tempting and easier to focus only on the exterior of vehicles, but learning how to clean car upholstery and other parts of the interior is of equal importance. Generally, cleaning a cabin may be less frequent compared to exterior washing. A few hours spent on interior detailing at least twice a year will help a great deal in preserving the driving experience for many years.

Recommended Tools

• Soft bristle brush
• Leather brush
• Autodazzle Interior Cleaner
• Autodazzle All-purpose Cleaner
• Autodazzle Glass Cleaner
• Leather Conditioner
• Fabric protectant
• Microfibre Cloth
• Vacuum cleaner

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