How to clean a car like a professional

9 simple steps for a clean car every day

Whether you run about in a hatch, work from a van, or cruise in a luxury sports car, there’s one thing that really matters for your listing: keeping it clean.

And that’s what your borrowers will notice first, too. So if you want to see more people returning to share your car, read on. Here’s how to clean a car like a professional (so you can enjoy more of those golden 5 star reviews).

It’s hard to replicate that new car smell, but cleaning things like car seats, windows, headlights and tyres can all add up to a truly clean car that people want to drive again.

How to clean a car: step by step

Let’s jump right in – here’s the best way to clean your car. It’s simple and effective.

1. Gather your supplies.
2. Rinse the car using the hose.
3. Wash the car with soapy water and your cloth or sponge.
4. Rinse the car again to remove soap suds.
5. Dry the car from the top down with a clean cloth.
6. Clean the wheels.
7. Detail the interior using a vacuum and a damp cloth.
8. Polish with wax or sealant.
9. Maintain the clean by washing regularly.
   

Now let’s take a closer look at each step to show you how to wash your car properly.

1. Gather your supplies

Before you start, get everything together ready to go. To wash the outside of your car at home, you’ll need:

• a bucket
• car soap
• microfibre cloths, or sponges
• a hose and a nozzle attachment.

And to clean the inside, you'll need:

• a vacuum cleaner
• glass cleaner
• a dashboard cleaner
• leather or fabric upholstery cleaner.

2. Rinse your car

Now you’re ready to get started. First, use the hose to rinse off any loose dirt or debris from the car. This not only saves you time and effort, it means you’re less likely to scratch the paint as you wipe it over.

3. Wash your car

Fill your bucket with water and your chosen car soap. Add the soap according to the directions on the soap bottle. Now it’s time to grab your cloth or sponge and get your hands dirty.

Don’t forget to wash the car from top to bottom, and rinse the cloth often to avoid scratching the car's surface.

4. Rinse again

What’s one of the most important steps to clean a car? Rinsing properly. Once you've washed the entire car, use the hose to rinse off all the soap suds. Don’t skip this step if you want your clean car to be streak free.

5. Dry your car

Dry your car really well to prevent water spots. Use a clean microfibre cloth, starting at the top and working your way down.

6. Clean the wheels

The wheels need to be washed separately because they tend to collect more grime. You don’t want to spread that to the body of your car. You can use the same water but use a separate cloth or brush. Be sure to reach into the many crevices for wheels that look really clean.  

7. Detail the interior

Once you’ve finished the outside, it’s time to clean the inside. Dig out any rubbish lying around, and use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt or debris. Next it’s time to wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth or specialty cleaner. Need to know more? Find out how to detail a car.

8. Finish with wax or sealant

And lastly, give your car a good polish so that your hard work really shines. Apply a coat of wax or sealant to protect the car's finish and give it a shiny, polished look.

9. Maintain the clean

Regularly washing your car will keep it looking great. How often you need to clean the car will depend on how often you drive or share it and the weather conditions in your area. But aiming for once a month tends to be a happy medium.

Recap: How to clean your car (and why it matters)

The key to a really good clean is simple: don’t cut corners.

Rinse, wash, rinse, dry. Rinsing well each time and then drying thoroughly will help prevent streaks. Detail the interior and deodorise for that clean car smell. And don’t forget the wheels.

If you’ve been skimping on the cleaning now and then, it’s OK. Just follow these steps regularly and you’ll probably see more return drivers and better reviews on your listing. Want more? Find out how to be a great car share owner.

FAQs: How to keep a truly clean car

We’ve outlined the basic steps to show you how to clean a car. But there’s more you can do to make your car really feels clean when your borrower steps in.

Here are the things we recommend for more of those shiny 5 star reviews. (As well as how to make it easy!)

How to clean car seats

The seats are the first thing you’ll notice as you open the door. And first impressions matter. Here's how to clean car seats.

How to clean fabric car seats

Cleaning car seat fabric yourself is pretty simple. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Vacuum the seats using a handheld vacuum, or brush attachment. Giving your seats a thorough vacuum makes it easier to deep clean the material.
   
2. Spot-clean stains. You can use a mixture of warm water and a gentle, non-toxic cleaner to dab on the stain. Blot the area with a clean cloth until the stain is removed.
3. Deep-clean the seats with an upholstery cleaner or a steam cleaner. If you do, follow the manufacturer's instructions for using the cleaner, and be sure to test it on a small, well-hidden area first.
4. Dry the seats. After cleaning, use a clean, dry cloth to soak up any excess moisture from the seats. Allow the seats to air dry completely before using the car again.

How to clean leather car seats

Have you got leather in your car? Here's how to clean leather car seats:

1. Gather your materials ready. You'll need a mild soap or leather cleaner, warm water, a soft-bristled brush, a microfibre cloth and a leather conditioner.
2. Vacuum the seats using a handheld vacuum, or brush attachment. Giving your seats a thorough vacuum makes it easier to deep clean the material.
3. Test the cleaner. Test the cleaner or soap on a small, inconspicuous part of your leather first.
4. Clean the seats. Dilute the cleaner or soap in warm water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Dip the soft-bristled brush in the solution and use it to gently scrub the seats in circular motions. Don’t soak the leather, you’re just aiming to make it damp enough to clean.
5. Rinse and dry. Use a clean, damp microfibre cloth to wipe down the seats and remove any excess soap or cleaner. Then, use a dry cloth to wipe the seats dry.
6. Condition the seats. Apply a leather conditioner to the seats to keep the leather soft and supple.

By following these steps, you should be able to clean your car seats quickly and effectively to keep them looking new.

How to clean car headlights

Here's how to clean car headlights at home:

1. Gather materials. You'll need toothpaste or baking soda, a clean cloth, water and a soft-bristled brush.
   
2. Prepare the headlights. Make sure they’re cool to the touch and not in direct sunlight. If the headlights have a lot of dirt on them, rinse and wipe them dry first.
   
3. Apply toothpaste or baking soda. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste or sprinkle some baking soda on the headlight lenses. Use the soft-bristled brush or a clean cloth to gently scrub the lenses in circular motions.
   
4. Rinse and wipe. After scrubbing, rinse the headlights with water and wipe them clean with a damp cloth. Make sure you remove all the toothpaste or baking soda residue.
   
5. Dry the headlights with a cloth. Make sure they’re completely dry before turning on the headlights.

If you follow these steps, you should be able to clean your car headlights effectively and improve their visibility. If the headlights are severely discoloured or scratched, you may need to use a specialised headlight restoration kit or seek professional help.

How to clean a car interior

Cleaning inside a car will leave it feeling fresh for your next borrower. Here are our five simple steps to cleaning your car interior.

1. Remove any rubbish that has been left.  
2. Vacuum the seats, floor, mats and carpet. Be sure to get into all the crevices and corners of the car.
3. Wipe down surfaces. Include the dashboard, door panels, centre console, and seats. For stubborn stains, use a gentle, non-toxic cleaner.
4. Clean the windows. Use a window cleaner and a clean cloth to clean the inside of the car windows. Be sure to remove any streaks or smudges for maximum visibility.
5. Freshen the air. Use an air freshener or place a small bag of charcoal in the car to absorb any odours and keep the car smelling fresh.

How to clean car carpet

Your car’s carpet is one of the areas that will show wear and tear. Here’s how to clean car carpet simply and quickly.

1. Remove loose debris. Use a vacuum or a brush to remove any loose dirt or debris from the car carpet.
2. Spot-clean stains. If there are any stains on the car carpet, spot-clean them first. You can use a mixture of warm water and a gentle, non-toxic cleaner to dab on the stain. Blot the area with a clean cloth until the stain is removed.
3. Deep-clean the carpet. You can use a carpet cleaner or a steam cleaner to clean the car carpet. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for using the cleaner, and be sure to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first.
4. Dry the carpet. After cleaning, use a clean, dry cloth to soak up any excess moisture from the carpet. Allow the carpet to air dry completely before using the car again.

You don’t need to deep clean your carpet with every use of the car. But cleaning car carpet regularly will help your car interior feel fresh and new for longer.

How to clean car windows

A shiny car window really helps to make your car feel clean. Not to mention improving safety with good visibility. Here are the steps to clean car windows effectively:

1. Gather your supplies: You'll need a window cleaner, such as a commercial glass cleaner or a homemade solution of equal parts water and vinegar, a microfibre cloth, and a squeegee.
2. Start with a dry surface. Make sure the car windows are completely dry before you start cleaning to avoid streaks.
3. Spray the cleaner. Spray the window cleaner onto the glass surface in small sections, starting from the top and working your way down.
4. Wipe with a cloth. Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to wipe the cleaner from the glass in a circular motion.
5. Use a squeegee. To remove any remaining streaks, use a squeegee in a straight, vertical motion from the top of the window to the bottom. Make sure to wipe the squeegee blade clean after each pass.
6. Finish with a dry cloth. Use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to wipe any remaining moisture or streaks from the glass.

How to clean car mats

Like your carpet, car mats suffer the brunt of wear and tear as your car is used. Here’s how to clean car mats so they look and feel fresh for longer.

1. Remove the mats from the car and shake them out to remove any loose dirt and debris.
2. Vacuum the mats with a brush attachment to thoroughly remove any remaining dirt and debris.
3. Scrub with a cleaning solution. Mix a cleaning solution of warm water and a mild detergent, such as dish soap or laundry detergent. Dip a scrub brush or sponge into the solution and scrub the mats thoroughly.
4. Rinse the mats: Rinse the mats thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining detergent or dirt.
5. Dry the mats: Use a towel or hang the mats up to air dry completely before putting them back in the car.