7 Hacks for Cleaning Your Car 

A clean car is going to keep a smile on your face. It can also increase the life of your car because dirt can quickly eat through materials and leave a musty smell. Cleaning isn’t always the easiest, though, which is why we’ve come up with a few hacks to help you along the way.

1. Use a Makeup Brush on Air Vents

You may not have even realized it, but air vents can accumulate quite a bit of dust. If you don’t clean them regularly, it’s going to lead to replacing your air cabin filter with greater frequency, too. One of the easiest ways to dust those air vents is with a makeup brush. Either clean an old one that you have or get one of the fluffy blush brushes at the store. It will quickly ditch the dust so that your vents look clean and you have cleaner air flowing through your car.

2. Get Pet Hair Off with a Squeegee

Pets leave behind hair – it’s just what they do. That doesn’t mean you have to look at it constantly. If you don’t take care of it as they get out of your car, it’s only going to accumulate with each car ride they take. Keep a spray bottle in the car with plain water in it. When they get out, give the upholstery a quick mist. Then, use the squeegee down the seats. The pet hair will be pulled out in seconds.

3. Protect Your Cup Holders with Cupcake Liners

Have you ever noticed that cleaning your cupholders seems like it takes forever? Dust, crumbs, and spills can get stuck in there. It’s also one of the most common sources for “that strange smell” you have going on in your car. Rather than making it hard on yourself, protect your cup holders with silicone cupcake liners. You can pop them out periodically, rinse the dirt off, shake them dry, and pop them back in place. It will be the easiest way to keep your cupholders looking like new all year long.

4. Take Care of Bugs with Dryer Sheets

Bugs are attracted to your car like no one’s business – and cleaning them off is a chore and a half. Save your used dryer sheets. Simply rub the sheet over your car and the bugs will come off. It will ensure the bug parts are off without scratching the surface. Then, you can proceed to wash your car as normal.

5. Grab a Magic Eraser

Have you noticed that there are certain marks and smudges and stains that won’t seem to disappear? Try using a Magic Eraser. Just moisten the eraser and use it to clean the vinyl in your car.

6. Use Dishwashing Liquid on Your Leather

Stains on your leather don’t involve a bunch of expensive products. Instead, mix together some water and dishwashing liquid into a spray bottle. Give a quick spritz onto the leather and wipe it away with a microfiber cloth. Even some of the toughest of stains and marks can be gone with this quick trick.

7. Overcome Odors with Baking Soda

Too many times, you vacuum up the dirt and grime in the backseat only to find that it didn’t take care of the problem. Often, it’s because the odors have already penetrated the floor mats. You need to neutralize the smell, not just get rid of the crumbs and dirt. By sprinkling some baking soda down before you vacuum, you’re sure to get rid of the smell. You can even do this when you’re using the free vacuums at your nearby car wash. Just keep a container of baking soda in your glove compartment so that it’s always there.

Many times, the easiest way to get rid of a smell or a stain is to address it right away. The biggest problems occur when you allow the problem to sit for weeks (or months) before you get around to cleaning. About once a year, it can also be beneficial to schedule a full detailing so you can be sure the nooks and crannies of your car have been thoroughly cleaned and conditioned.

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