Cars are an expensive asset, so it makes sense to look after them. After all, if you don’t take care of your vehicle, it will depreciate faster and be more difficult to sell. A clean and tidy car is also more pleasant to drive and be a passenger in. This might not be an issue if you treat your vehicle as a mobile dustbin, but if you plan on ferrying friends and family around, they might not appreciate sitting on fast food containers and cigarette ash.

Read on for a quick guide to keeping your car nice and clean inside.

Clean it Weekly

Keeping a car clean is a lot easier if you stay on top of things. Not much grime and filth are likely to build up over a week, compared to several months. If you clean your car each weekend, it should take no more than 30 minutes max. This makes the job less of a chore.

Use Specialist Cleaning Products

Whilst there is no reason why you can’t just use a bucket of hot, soapy water to clean the interior of your car, specialist products designed to clean upholstery and plastic tend to be more effective. Your best bet is to wipe away any mud and grime with soap and water and then use specialist products to give surfaces a shine and protect them from dust. Use a dry-clean foam product for fabrics and a wax polish for leather seats.

Protect the Floor with Mats

It’s worth spending good money on decent car mats that are the right size for your car. If you can’t find floor mats that are the right size, you can purchase car mats from Mr Car Mats. They sell tailored car mats that can be personalised with logos and different colours. It’s a cool way to keep your car clean while looking stylish.

Use Seat Covers

Seat covers are essential if you transport pets in your car. Look for removable covers you can wash, so they don’t up stinking of wet dog. Seat covers are also useful if your clothing is likely to get dirty at work and you use the vehicle for commuting.

Hang an Air Freshener

Keep an air freshener hanging from your rearview mirror. That way, even if the car isn’t terribly clean, at least it will smell fresh.

Don’t Smoke in Your Car

Never smoke in your car. Smoke gets into the fabric and is impossible to eradicate without a deep valet clean. Even after cleaning, the smell will linger on for weeks and months, which is unpleasant for non-smokers riding in the vehicle.

Pay for a Professional Valet

It’s worth paying for a professional valet clean every six months. This will ensure your car stays in premium condition. If you decide to sell the vehicle, always have it cleaned by a professional valet company to achieve the best resale price.

Finally, keep a bag in the car for rubbish you can’t dispose of immediately. It’s better than kicking empty cans and used burger boxes under the seat.