Your car interior is a high-contact zone—steering wheels, door handles, gear levers, and seats are touched constantly. Bacteria, viruses, dust, food spills, and sweat build up quickly, especially in warm environments like Kenya. Regular cleaning and disinfecting isn’t just about hygiene; it’s also about protecting your car’s materials and ensuring a fresh, healthy cabin.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to clean and disinfect your car interior safely, step-by-step, without damaging leather, plastic, or fabric.
What You’ll Need
Cleaning Tools:
Microfiber cloths
Soft brush or toothbrush
Vacuum cleaner (or handheld auto vac)
Bucket & water
Interior Cleaners:
All-purpose interior cleaner (e.g. Meguiar’s Quik Interior Detailer, Sonax)
Fabric cleaner or shampoo for cloth seats
Leather cleaner & conditioner
Glass cleaner (for windows & screen)
Disinfectants:
Alcohol-based disinfectant spray (minimum 70% alcohol)
Disinfecting wipes (non-bleach and non-corrosive)
UV light wand (optional for extra sanitization)
Step-by-Step: How to Clean and Disinfect Your Car Interior
Step 1: Declutter First
Remove trash, receipts, water bottles, and any items from compartments.
Take out floor mats and seat covers for separate cleaning.
Step 2: Vacuum Thoroughly
Use a vacuum with a brush head or crevice tool.
Focus on seats, floorboards, under seats, dashboard gaps, and door panels.
Shake out and vacuum mats separately.
Step 3: Clean Interior Surfaces
Dashboard, Console & Doors:
Spray a car interior cleaner onto a microfiber cloth, not directly onto the surface.
Wipe down all plastic, vinyl, or rubber surfaces.
Use a soft brush to scrub around knobs, vents, and textured areas.
Fabric Seats:
Use a foaming upholstery cleaner.
Scrub gently using a cloth or interior brush.
Let air dry.
Leather Seats:
Apply leather cleaner, scrub lightly with a microfiber towel.
Finish with a leather conditioner to keep them soft and crack-free.
Windows & Screens:
Use a glass cleaner that is ammonia-free (especially for tinted windows).
Wipe in circular motions to avoid streaks.
Step 4: Disinfect High-Touch Areas
Focus on these key areas:
Steering wheel
Gear lever
Door handles (inside & out)
Touchscreen & infotainment buttons
Seatbelt buckles
Indicator/wiper stalks
Window buttons
Disinfecting Tips:
Use alcohol-based spray (70% isopropyl alcohol) sprayed onto a cloth.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or hydrogen peroxide—they damage surfaces.
Let disinfected areas air dry naturally for full effectiveness.
Step 5: Clean and Disinfect Floor Mats
Rubber Mats:
Wash with soap and water.
Disinfect with alcohol spray or Lysol.
Rinse and air-dry completely.
Carpeted Mats:
Shampoo and scrub using fabric cleaner.
Air dry in the sun to eliminate odors and bacteria.
How Often Should You Disinfect?
Weekly: Light wipe-down of high-touch points.
Monthly: Full vacuum, clean, and disinfect routine.
After Transporting Sick Persons/Pets: Immediate deep clean and disinfection.
Extra Tips for Kenyan Car Owners
✅ Use UV-resistant interior protectants to prevent dashboard fading due to sun.
✅ Leave windows slightly open after disinfecting to let fumes escape.
✅ Always test disinfectants on small areas to avoid discoloration.
Recommended Interior Disinfectant Products in Kenya
Shield Disinfectant Spray – locally available in car care shops
Dettol Surface Spray – safe for steering wheels and handles
Sonax Interior Cleaner + Disinfectant – professional-grade
All-Purpose Cleaner & Dashboard Spray – available at KejaniCleaning.co.ke
Conclusion
Knowing how to properly clean and disinfect your car interior is not just a COVID-era hygiene habit—it’s a smart, long-term car maintenance routine. By using the right tools, gentle cleaners, and safe disinfectants, you’ll keep your vehicle looking new, smelling fresh, and free from harmful germs.
Want to stock up on car interior cleaning products?
Shop quality brands and Kenyan-made options at Kejani Cleaning Supplies.
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