Simple hacks to clean hard-to-reach areas in your car

Cleaning the car should be regularly done to ensure that a vehicle is well-maintained inside and out. However, some drivers and car owners overlook cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of their vehicle.

Leaving these areas dirty will increase the chances of developing rust, which will then affect the other parts of the car. Philkotse.com prepared a brief guide to help you clean these often-forgotten areas.

What to do when cleaning hard places in the car's interior

Step 1. Before you start cleaning the car’s interior, remove things you have inside to give you better access. Floor mats and other things inside your car should come out every time you vacuum.

If you like, you can also take out the door panels, middle console, and seats for better and deeper interior cleaning. This will allow you to see any trash that might be underneath the car seats.

Remove things so you can get a better view of hidden parts of your vehicle

Step 2. Equip yourself with a vacuum cleaner and use it pick up dirt and debris. You can also reverse the vacuum’s air-flow or better yet, use an air compressor to blow out the hard-to-reach areas of your car’s interior.

Equip yourself with a vacuum cleaner

Step 3. Cleaning the vents can be done, too. Use a compressor to blow out the dust in the vent slats. You can also use a cotton swab, a toothbrush to clean the vent holes individually. Cleaning the vents helps mitigate odor that may have gathered in the vehicle’s cooling or heating system.

Step 4. For car owners on a tight budget, you can opt for a disposable long-reach duster. But this can only wipe away dirt build-up and not clean it deeply.

Step 5. Use the vacuum and brush duster to clean your vehicle’s air conditioner vents, knobs, and buttons. The vacuum will remove the dust and not allow it to settle in other parts of the car.

To clean your vehicle’s air conditioner vents, knobs and buttons, use a vacuum cleaner and brush duster

Step 6. For dirt and crumbs settled in the seams of the car seat cushion, use a fine-bristled brush or a toothbrush. The fine bristles will help you reach the dust, dirt, or crumbs in the seam if the seat cushion.

>>> Read more: 4 simple tips to keep your car interior clean and tidy.

Cleaning the car’s exterior

Step 1. It’s pretty hard to get into the tricky areas of a vehicle’s exterior. Invest in a good detailing brush or use a cotton swab or a toothbrush if you want cheaper options. However, these items are not likely to last for a long period. Opt for a small detailing brush as it won't scratch your car's exterior finish.

Invest in a good detailing brush

Step 2. The wheel wells need detailing, and some car owners use a toothbrush or a detailing brush specifically for this area. It is usually partnered with a specialty wheel cleaner that will effectively break the grime and grease apart.

Step 3. If a powerful burst of air is capable of cleaning the interior of your vehicle, then a high-powered spray can take care of the car’s exterior.  A powerful burst of water will handle deep-seated dirt on the nooks and crannies of the exterior.

Step 4. However, dirt can be too tough to be handled by detailing brush. In this case, you need a more powerful too such as a rotary tool. This tool is a great help because it provides power when cleaning, making you use your muscles less. This will also enable you to get lots of work done in a short time.

Consider using a rotary tool

Step 5. If you see that your car’s grille has stubborn bugs in it, you can remove them using dryer sheets. You first have to soak it in warm water then wipe your grille.

Additional tips

Here are some additional tips for cleaning your vehicle.

• You can opt for a paint stick sitting in your garage to clean nooks and crannies in your car’s interior. All you have to do is to spray the area (for example, between the seat and center console or between seat cushions) using an all-purpose cleaner. Let it soak for two to five minutes, then get the paint stick, cover it using a rag or microfiber towel then wipe it in the area.
• An old toothbrush can also come in handy if you’re dealing with food crumbs and dried-out liquids in the cracks of the car seat. Sprinkle a decent amount of baking soda and water in the area then use a toothbrush to scrub away dirt and crumbs.

A cleaning kit is super important for your car's appearance, performance as well

>>> Check out: 10 must-have car care products.

• Baby wipes come in handy in many ways. Use it to wipe and clean spills or to wipe your blurring windshield. You can even use it to wipe dust and dirt in almost anything inside the car. So make sure you have a pack of baby wipes stored in the glove compartment of your vehicle.
• A flat-headed screwdriver can also be used to clean the console and dashboard of your car. Just cover the screwdriver's end with a clean cloth then use it to get through the tough-to-clean areas.