Mother Nature sure makes things interesting for us Canadian drivers. In addition to significant temperature variations, our cars must endure a nasty mix of dirt, salt, and road grime. Whether it's the body or the interior, the longer you wait to clean the mess, the harder it will be for you to keep your car spotless.
Here are some basic tips when it comes to interior car care:
Carpeting
This vital barrier prevents rust from attacking the floor area of your car, provided you do your best to keep moisture out. During winter, salty snow deposits leave some white stains that can prove quite difficult to remove. When diluted with water, salt infiltrates the floor mats and carpeting, resulting in further damage. Besides corroding the footwells, salt can also damage the levers, handles, and cables that open the fuel door and trunk lid.
Tip: Ahead of the cold season, install specially contoured winter floor mats that will prevent water buildup inside your car. If you park inside, snow will melt, so crack the windows to allow humidity to exit into ambient air. All year long, you should shake the dirt off your mats at least once per week. Remember to tap your shoes or boots against one another (not the door frame!) before entering your car.
Seats
Any dirt, stain or damage on your seats will be extremely noticeable. The clothes you wear -- more specifically, the buttons, zippers, and Velcro -- can scratch seating surfaces, and there's nothing you can do to repair that, save for swapping out the seats or buying aftermarket covers.
Tip: Regularly clean your seats with a vacuum. The more you allow dirt to reach the tiniest recesses, the harder it will be to remove. A growing number of automakers offer water- and stain-proof materials, particularly in SUVs and minivans; however, if you can choose between a light or dark interior, opt for the latter to maintain that fresh, new look longer. In the case of leather or suede seats, use specially designed products to clean and moisturize the surfaces.
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| Photo: Sébastien D'Amour |
Dashboard
Taking care of your dashboard is easier than you think. More often than not, a wet towel is enough to remove dust.
Tip: You don't need all those fancy products sold in large retail stores. If water fails to do the trick, consider a brand like Worth. Whatever you do, avoid oil-based products: That beautiful shine will only last a couple of days, and it'll attract even more dust. In addition, the plastic on your dashboard will absorb the oil and may crack as a result.
Windows
Once again, simplicity is the key. Use a dedicated cleaning product such as Windex and, more importantly, avoid natural fibre cloth or tissue paper when wiping the windows. Believe it or not, newspaper will deliver better results.
Protection from the sun
For all its wonderful benefits, the sun can really damage your car interior -- paint or trim discolouration and cracking on the seats and dashboard are just a few examples. In fact, your car is no different from your skin: You need to protect it from dangerous UV rays. Avoid leaving your car parked under the sun for long periods, and consider tinting your windows (if they're not already).
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