As kids, we’re constantly nagged to clean our rooms. “Make your bed.” “Change your sheets.” “Vacuum your floor.” “Pick up all that trash.” We’ve heard it since we were little to make sure to clean up after ourselves. As adults, we not only have to keep our rooms clean but our cars too. McLarty Daniel has new and used vehicles for sale with locations in Bentonville and Springdale to help cover all of Northwest Arkansas. We want to help you keep your car in its best condition long after you’ve driven it off the lot.
That new car smell is great, and we all want to keep it smelling that way for as long as possible. We make the solemn vow of “No food or drink in the car.” The first week you make it. By the second week, you’ve started having that first cup of coffee on your drive to work, along with a breakfast bar. Now that wrapper sits in the cup holder next to your dirty coffee cup.
By week three, you’ve had kids, your dog and the rest of the neighborhood swing by to take a ride in the new car. Week four, and it’s lunchtime. You’re late for a meeting, but your stomach is growling. You see the golden arches, and you can’t resist. You did it. You brought the dreaded fast food across the threshold and into the new car. Were those french fries worth the last few whiffs of that new car scent? Well, was it?
It’s week five now, and the new car smell is just a memory. Your nice carpeted floor mats have dirt, crumbs, and who knows what that is. The backseat looks like a lost and found. Don’t even open the trunk. We’re literally not gonna go there. Don’t worry, though. We’ve all been there. Like the famous saying, “The best-laid plans of keeping your new car as clean as possible…” or something like that is still true.
No matter if you have a new or used car, truck, SUV or van, we’re here to help. We’ll bring you back from that fast food bender and calm the storm that’s inside your Chevy, Ford, GMC, Jeep or Ram. Here are some do-it-yourself detailing tips to keep the inside of your car looking shiny, happy and new again.
5 Easy Steps to Do It Yourself (DIY) Detailing
Step 1: Take Out the Trash (Among Other Things)
Sometimes it’s easier just to start with a blank slate or, in this case, an empty dirty vehicle. Kick anything that doesn’t belong in your car, like backpacks, jackets, and the remnants of that fast food trash, to the curb. Remember, that’s what got you here in the first place. Once your car is clear of clutter, you can get down to business. One thing you don’t want to remove yet is your floor mats. We’ll explain later.
Step 2: Mess in the Middle: Clean Your Console & Cup Holders
We say start in the middle and work your way out. With your interior car detail cleaner of choice in hand, spray down the outside of the console and the inside of the cup holders. If your cup holders come out, spray those down and wipe them off. If you’re having a hard time cleaning those crevices in and around your gear shift or in the cup holder itself, here’s a tip. Use a cotton swab or put your hand in an od sock and press down so it picks up all the dirt in those hard-to-reach places.
Step 3: Wipe On, Wipe Off: The Dash, Steering Wheel, Seats & Doors
Now that you’ve cleaned the console and cup holders, it’s time to spray down the dash with the same interior car detail spray. It helps to use a microfiber towel to avoid streaking. Make sure to wipe down your display screen to get rid of all those fingerprints. Once your dash, radio and vents are dusted, you can wipe down your steering wheel and then move to the side doors. If they have a storage area, make sure to clean inside. Continue spraying as needed to wipe off dust and fingerprints as you go. When the front is done, repeat the same method for the back. You can also use a disinfectant spray or wipes to go over all surfaces once you’ve cleaned them. Now for the seats, if you have leather seats, you’ll want to find a leather cleaner that’s safe for cars. If you don’t have leather seats, you can use a damp cloth to lightly scrub your seats.
Step 4: Ain’t No Party Like a Vacuum Party
With everything inside the car clean, it’s time to vacuum. Now about those floor mats. In case any dirt or dust fell on the floor while cleaning the interior, the mats were there to catch it. Take the mats out of the car now, shake them off as best you can and then vacuum them on the ground. Once those are vacuumed, you can move inside and vacuum all floorboards, front and back seats and the console and cup holders. Vacuuming the seats, floorboards, and any other areas with fabric will not only keep your car clean but will help get rid of any odor. Here’s another tip for you. If you don’t want the carpet floor mats that come with your car to get dirty, you can purchase all-weather mats for your car. You can easily hose off any dirt and grime from your all-weather mats. Once they dry, you can use the interior car detail spray to keep them polished.
Step 5: The Trunk Stands Alone
Last but not least, you can’t forget about your car trunk or the cargo space in your SUV. It can become a catch-all for all that stuff you don’t want company to see. It’s basically a closet for your car. Take that mess and organize it so you make the most of your space. It should also be able to hold groceries or haul needed items. If you’re an optimist, think of it as keeping your trunk half full. We’ve got another tip for you. Purchase a trunk organizer to hold all of those things you might need: blankets, a first aid kit, and water. But most importantly, make sure you know what you need and where to find it if needed.
Hopefully, we’ve provided you with some detailing tips to keep the inside of your Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Lincoln or Nissan looking brand new. Speaking of brand new, we’ve got a full selection of inventory for you to view. Whether you’re from Rogers, Fayetteville, Pea Ridge or Bella Vista, McLarty Daniel has new and used cars, trucks, SUVs and vans just waiting for you to drive off the lot.
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