Cleaning the interior of the car with a microfiber cloth

10 Ingenious Car Cleaning Hacks


July 31, 2023 | Allison Robertson

10 Ingenious Car Cleaning Hacks


Keeping your car clean might seem like an unending task, especially when you're juggling daily life, work, and kids. 

However, with the right hacks up your sleeve, it can be simpler than you think. 

From creative ways to manage trash to repurposing household items, here are 10 ingenious and cost-effective car cleaning hacks to keep your ride spotless and fresh. 

1. Olive Oil For Dashboard Shine

Car cleaning split imagesAdobe

Advertisement

Give your dashboard a shiny look by applying a little bit of olive oil. This natural solution is a cost-effective alternative to store-bought products.

2. Toothpaste For Headlight Cleaning

Person cleaning car headlightsChanakon, Adobe Stock

Advertisement

Apply a bit of toothpaste on a rag, scrub your headlights, and then rinse off. The mild abrasive can help clear up the haze on your headlights, improving visibility.

3. Baby Wipes For Window Cleaning

Cleaning Car Windshieldberdardbodo, Adobe Stock

Advertisement

Baby wipes can double as an effective tool for cleaning windows. They remove grime and leave a streak-free shine, and they're very affordable.

4. Lint Roller For Quick Upholstery Cleanups

Person using lint rollerNew Africa, Adobe Stock

Advertisement

A lint roller can quickly pick up dust, crumbs, and pet hair from your seats and other fabric surfaces in the car.

5. Silicone Or Rubber Gloves For Pet Hair

Blue rubber glovesm_____k___, Adobe Stock

Advertisement

If you have a pet, a pair of rubber gloves can help gather the hair on seats and floor mats. 

The static electricity generated when you rub the glove on the upholstery helps gather the pet hair.

6. Use A Paint Brush To Dust Air Vents

Cleaning car vents with brushzphoto83, Adobe Stock

Advertisement

An inexpensive paint brush or makeup brush can help you reach the dust in your air vents. You can also cover the brush bristles with a cloth if you need extra dusting power.

7. Baking Soda For Odor Removal

Man vacuuming carDusko, Adobe Stock

Advertisement

Sprinkle baking soda on your car seats and carpet, let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then vacuum. 

The baking soda absorbs unpleasant odors, leaving your car smelling fresh.

8. Laundry Detergent For Upholstery Cleaning

Person cleaning carHoda Bogdan, Adobe Stock

Advertisement

Mix a small amount of laundry detergent with warm water, and you've got a great cleaner for fabric upholstery.

9. Hair Conditioner for Shiny Exterior

Man Waxing CarREDPIXEL, Adobe Stock

Advertisement

 Wash your car with a hair conditioner containing lanolin. This substance will leave your car with a freshly-waxed look.

10. Coffee Can For Trash

Girl throwing a coffee can in trash canSandu, Adobe Stock

Advertisement

A plastic coffee can with a lid can be a convenient and compact option for a car trash can. 

A small plastic bucket with a bag and a lid can also be a great solution, especially for larger items or wet trash, as they can be easily cleaned and are durable. 

Remember, regular cleaning can keep your car in the best condition and extend the life of its interior. 

Try these tricks, and your vehicle will not only be cleaner, but also a healthier and more enjoyable place to be!


READ MORE

Engine Life Internal

How To Extend The Life Of Your Vehicle's Engine

Dive into expert tips for extending your vehicle's engine life. Discover why maintaining your engine is key to performance, fuel efficiency, and safeguarding your investment. Drive smarter, longer.
September 6, 2023 Sam Weltman
a Plymouth being lowered into the ground in the 1950s

A brand-new 1957 Plymouth was buried beneath the Tulsa courthouse lawn for 50 years—but the grand unveiling became a nightmare.

In 1957, Tulsa lowered a brand-new Plymouth into an underground vault, covered it with concrete and promised to bring it back exactly 50 years later. The city expected a perfectly preserved glimpse of the past. What it eventually pulled from the ground was something else entirely.
August 6, 2026 Jesse Singer
internal

Keep Your Car In Mint Condition With These Simple Tips And Tricks

If you’re a car owner, keeping things in tip-top shape not only helps your vehicle last longer, but also contributes to your safety on the road.
July 7, 2023 Kaddy Gibson
Facebook  Internal

My wife says our teenager should get a brand-new SUV because older cars are unsafe. Is buying a cheap first car irresponsible now?

It starts innocently enough. One parent says a cheap used car is fine for a teenager, and the other says the kid needs a brand-new SUV because the roads are too dangerous now. The hard truth is that both sides are usually reacting to something real, but the data shows this is not as simple as old equals unsafe and new equals safe.
August 6, 2026 Carl Wyndham
Internalfb Image (13)

My wife wants a three-row SUV for our family of three because she says it's safer. Is bigger always better for family safety?

If your family has one child, a three-row SUV can sound like the ultimate safety move. More metal, more seats, more height, and a commanding view of traffic all feel reassuring from behind the wheel. But when you look at the crash data and the science of vehicle design, bigger is not always automatically better.
August 6, 2026 Miles Brucker