Pat Lazzaro, professional race-car driver and mechanic, shares tips on caring for a car's interior.
- When cleaning the interior, first pull out the floor mats and vacuum them. Before vacuuming the interior carpet, take a stiff brush and sweep around the floor to loosen any dirt and debris.
- Carry a dust cloth that has built-in electrostatic action in the glove box. Whenever sitting at a long stoplight or in traffic, wipe down the dash. This will also stop the accumulation of static electricity that often causes carsickness.
- Don't neglect to clean the inside of the windshield each time the car is washed. Any alcohol-based glass cleaner will clean the film that builds up on the inside of windshields from the sun and will also prevent smearing and streaking on the glass. A quick tip to make the windows crystal clear is to spray on the cleaning solution and use a paper towel to wipe the solution around, but do not dry the windshield. Take a piece of newspaper and wipe the window until dry.
- The dashboard should have a healthy glow, but not too much of a shine. To clean, apply lemon furniture polish to a lint-free cloth, then wipe down the dashboard. Do not spray it directly onto the dashboard, or it may splash up onto the windshield.
- If using special vinyl protectants on the dashboard, be aware that they must be applied regularly or they could dry the dashboard out and cause the vinyl to crack.
- Use a vinegar solution for quick spot cleaning on cloth interiors. Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water. Blot at each spot and let it dry.
- When cleaning the interior, do not soak the carpet with soapy water. The interior will become moldy and will smell musty from the dampness. Instead, brush the carpet with a soft but relatively stiff brush. Then work the vinegar solution into the carpet using the fingers and let it dry.
- Use a cotton swab or a mini paintbrush to dig out debris that is trapped in the cracks and crevices of the car's interior.
- Save time by using a fabric protectant such as Scotchgard Fabric Protector on the sparkling clean interior to protect the fabrics. Follow the directions on the package when applying. It may take two or three cans to cover the front and back seats, as well as the floor mats.
- Use shaving cream to clean the rearview mirror. It not only cleans it, but it also adds a nice a layer of anti-fog coating on the surface.
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