Remove the floor mats from front and back areas and give them a good shake outside.

Vacuum all seating areas, getting inside the gaps and cracks of the seats as much as possible.  A hand held vacuum works well and if you intend to use a household vacuum for this, a narrow crevice tool hose attachment is best for getting into those cracks and crevices.  Most self-service car washes have vacuums on the premises you can use for a small fee.   Be sure to move the seats to the farthest back position and check the floor for loose items, pens, change, etc., and then vacuum under, around and behind the seats.  Don’t forget to vacuum out consoles, door/map pockets, storage bins and ashtrays.

If your floor mats are vinyl, use a sponge or soft cleaning brush and soap and water.  Scrub mats vigorously on both sides and rinse with clean water.  Dry both sides with a towel or let air-dry.  If your mats are carpet, vacuum and use a carpet cleaner or carpet shampoo specifically made for cars, as needed, following product directions. 

If the seats or carpeting are stained, use an auto specific carpet cleaner or carpet shampoo on all stains following product directions.   Food and drink stains will require a cleaner with enzymes to effectively remove the stain and any odor causing bacteria.   Enzyme cleaners can be found in the pet supplies aisle of discount stores.
A compact deep carpet cleaner works best to lift stains, but elbow grease and a brush can sometimes do the trick, too.

Clean windows using standard window cleaner or our home made cleaner ( recipe) and lint free or micro-fiber towels or cloths if at all possible, since paper towels leave a lot of lint and residue behind. 

Using a micro-fiber towel or cloth, paper towel or rag, wipe down dashboard, vinyl doors, cup holders, air vents, knobs and other visible areas.

Leather seats require special attention, so you’ll need to use leather cleaner specially designed for car seats, following product directions.  When seats are dry, follow up with leather conditioner.

If seats are vinyl, wipe down with a vinyl cleaner and follow up with a vinyl protectant.  Also use vinyl cleaner to wipe down all other vinyl areas, such as door handles and dashboard.  Again, don’t skip consoles and storage pockets or bins.

Bag It:  Keep a bag in your car specifically for trash. At the end of the day, just toss it in the trash.

Change It:  A coin purse or small tin box kept in your glove box or inside your console will keep your loose change together in one place. This is great for parking meters and tolls.

Scent It:  A ride in the car is more enjoyable when it smells good, so try a Refresh your car scented gel or oil wick.