10 Ways to Protect Car Interior

car's interior is just as susceptible to UV ray damage as the outside, let alone other deterioration like tears and scratches.

A clean and well-kept vehicle interior enhances the vehicle's appearance and can potentially increase its value. Installing seat covers and wiping other leather car upholstery goes a long way toward interior protection.

This article provides useful advice on how to always protect and maintain the interior of your car, regardless of how long you've owned it.

Car Interior Protection: Practical Ways to Maintain Your Vehicle's Upholstery

Cover as Much Interior Surfaces as Possible 

Covering as much of your car's interior as possible, especially if it has leather upholstery, is an excellent way to protect it, beginning with seat covers to prevent tearing and cracking in leather seats and ending with floor mats to prevent mud and dirt from sinking into the car's floor.

Whether you have pets, kids, or neither, seat covers, dash covers, and floor carpets perform excellently at preventing damage due to human activities or environmental factors.

Regular Vacuuming

Debris and dust particles can hasten the wear rate of car interior materials and even cause discoloration, emphasizing the importance of routine vacuuming.

Though vacuuming your car can be stressful, maintaining a clean interior is a worthwhile sacrifice, especially if you transport children or pets.

Commit to spending a few minutes, once or twice weekly, vacuuming your vehicle's interior. Remove the floor mats and adjust the seats to remove loose dirt and debris from hidden areas.

Wipe the Car Seats

Seat wiping is a simple yet effective method of keeping car seats clean. Regular seat cleaning prevents drying, cracking, and discoloration, which is especially important in leather seats.

Invest in petroleum- or vinyl-based leather cleaners to keep your leather interior clean and shiny. A mild cleaner applied to a paper towel, on the other hand, will effectively clean fabric interiors. Instead of paper towels, we recommend using a microfiber cloth.

Enforce a No-Eating, No-Drinking Rule

Aside from the dirt brought in by your shoes, food particles contribute significantly to car interior dirt and damage.

Decomposed food particles, whether from a child chewing on Doritos or an adult waving their drink around, can significantly damage your interior, introducing foul odors into your vehicle cabin.

To prevent food spillage and interior damage, impose a strict no-eating or drinking rule.

Clean Light Stains with Gentle Dish Soap

The best way to prevent interior material discoloration is to remove stains as soon as they appear. Apply a small amount of dish soap to a clean cloth to remove light stains.

Remember that dish soap may not remove tough stains. If cleaning your car is beyond your skill set and capability, consider using a leather cleaner or, better yet, hiring professional cleaners.

Block Sunlight

UV rays are notorious for causing cracking and discoloration in car interiors, highlighting the importance of shielding your interior from direct sunlight. Shading your car helps to extend the life of the interior materials. You can put this tip into practice by:

• Parking in shaded areas or a garage
• Protecting your interior with a UV reflector
• Tinting your windows