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Car Cleaning Checklist: Interior and Exterior

Published 2026-10-15

Cleaning a car in the right order saves time and stops you from redoing work. The general rule is to work from the inside out and from the top down.

Interior first

1. Declutter. Remove trash, loose items and anything that does not belong in the car. Check door pockets and under the seats.
2. Take out the mats. Shake or vacuum them outside the car.
3. Vacuum. Start with the seats and the gaps beside them, then the floor and the trunk.
4. Wipe hard surfaces. Dashboard, door panels, center console and cup holders. Use a damp cloth and a product that is suitable for your car's materials.
5. Clean fabric or leather seats. Follow your car manual for the right cleaner.
6. Windows and mirrors. Clean the inside last so you do not smear dust onto glass.

Then the exterior

1. Rinse the car to remove loose dirt.
2. Wash from the roof down with a car shampoo and a clean mitt, rinsing the mitt often.
3. Wheels last, because they are the dirtiest. Use a separate brush.
4. Rinse and dry with a clean microfiber cloth to avoid water marks.
5. Outside windows and mirrors.

A 15-minute weekly tidy

• Empty the trash.
• Shake out the mats.
• Wipe the dashboard and the door handles.
• Check that you have not left valuables on show.

Supplies to keep together

A bucket, a mitt, two or three microfiber cloths, a soft brush, a small vacuum or access to one, and a trash bag. Always follow your manual and product labels.

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