One of the most daunting areas to tackle when it comes to cleaning, especially for parents of young children, seems to be the family vehicle. Whether French fries fall out of your new 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek once the door is opened or the vehicle just has that lived-in feel, spring cleaning your vehicle can replicate some of that new-car sensation you enjoyed the first time you drove it.
Grab some supplies
You'll just need a laundry basket and a trash bag to start (or two or three, depending on how bad it really is). After you've gathered something to put your car trash in, you'll want to have a vacuum cleaner, complete with hoses and attachments; some sort of interior hard-surface cleaner, glass cleaner, paper towels, and stain remover; and the phone number of your closest service station.
Work on one section of your vehicle at a time
Depending on your work style, it may be best to start with the driver's seat area, which is where most of the cleaning probably needs to take place.
Simply place all of the items that aren't part of the vehicle itself into the laundry basket and all of the trash into the trash bag. You can replace items that belong (e.g., phone charger, change holder) after the vehicle is clean.
Take out the floor mats and leave them outside the vehicle as you go. You may be surprised what you find under them. Don't move on to the next section until the one you're working on is done.
Vacuum everything
Vacuum every surface, including the dashboard. It'll save you time when you get to the next step. Don't forget the spaces in between the headrests. The brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner can be especially helpful when it comes vacuuming the crevices on hard surfaces.
Clean hard surfaces
Use Armor All or a homemade version (including some type of natural oil to prevent the leather or vinyl from drying out) to clean all hard surfaces. Q-tips or toothbrushes are especially helpful when it comes to getting in the tiny crevices and quickly removing the gunk that accumulates there.
Clean the interior glass
Windex, other glass cleaner, or a bottle of vinegar and water mixed sprayed directly on a paper towel (to prevent overspray onto your newly cleaned dashboard) will be the easiest way to clean the glass on the interior of the vehicle.
Shampoo upholstery and carpet
Spray any stains or spots with an upholstery cleaner. You can also use a regular laundry stain remover; just be sure to test it to make sure it won't remove the color from your carpet or seats.
If you don't have a carpet shampooer at home, many car washes now have shampooers available next to the vacuum cleaners.
Oil change, fluid check, and tire rotation
The last thing to take care of after your vehicle is bright and shiny on the inside is to have the regular maintenance done. Have the oil changed and the fluids checked or replaced. The drive will feel completely different when the tires are rotated and properly filled. For all of your service needs, stop by Prestige Subaru, your local Subaru dealership in NJ, to schedule your service appointment today.
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Service
