How to clean your car dashboard in Fairfax

Many people often forget to clean up the interior of their used car as frequently as they wash its exterior. While it is true that the interior is not exposed like that of the exterior, the dashboard is arguably the first part of your interior that you and your passenger will notice. It is where the eyes are drawn upon when you go inside the car. It is awful when you see mess and buttons where dirt and dust are accumulated.

When the trash begins to be accumulated in your dashboards, and your console is getting sticky, it’s about time to clean the used cars’ interior—clear out, vacuum, and wiped down every corner, leaving it with no streaky residue. Airport Auto Sales Used Car Dealership in Fairfax, Virginia provides you a simple process on how to clean your car dashboard to achieve the desired overall appearance of your interior.

Vacuum the surface using a vacuum cleaner

You need to clear first the surface of your dashboard by removing out pieces of debris, trash, and dust. It is an essential step before you vacuum because it will remove anything that may spread around or scratch your dashboard when you clean it. After putting out large trashes, get a vacuum with a soft brush that is attached to its hose. Thoroughly vacuum the entirety of your car dashboard.

Wipe everything down

After you vacuum the dashboard, you now have a smooth surface to work with. You need to wipe and disinfect the dashboard. You need to use the appropriate cleaning solutions depending on what type of materials your dashboard is made of.

A good number of used car dealership thinks that the ideal way to clean your car dashboard is to use a multi-purpose dashboard cleaner. Bear in mind that many of these cleaners contain toxic chemicals. Moreover, some cleaners make your dashboard stain and yellow over time. Always do a spot test on the cleaning solution that you will use on your dashboard before cleaning to prevent more damages.

Use a mild soap for plastic, vinyl, and rubber dashboards

There are types of dashboards that are made of plastic, vinyl, and rubber. It is not ideal to use cleaning solutions to clean up your dashboard when your dashboards are made from any of the aforementioned. Instead, use a mild soap and a wet microfiber cloth. Put the soap directly on the cloth and wipe unto the dashboard thoroughly. Then, use a soft-bristled toothbrush or paintbrush with soap and scrub to areas that are hard to reach.

A do-it-yourself all-natural dashboard cleaner from household products can be an alternative option eliminating tougher stains that are hard to remove. Mix two cups of tap water, three tablespoons of vinegar, half a teaspoon of detergent, and oil-based soap and directly spray the mixture on your dashboard. Allow it to stay for a minute before wiping it off with a damp microfiber cloth.

Use specific cleaners for dashboards made of leather

Leather dashboards are more sensitive to chemical dashboard cleaners and soaps than those which are made with plastic, vinyl, and rubber. Mishandling can cause it to dry out and potentially create cracks. This, in turn, becomes dull in its overall appearance. To avoid this, use a damp and a microfiber cloth to clean it.

If you opt to clean your leather dashboard extensively, some used car dealership advices you to use a damp microfiber cloth with an oil-based soap. It is ideal if you have non-alkaline leather cleaner in your home. Whichever is available, use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean parts that you hardly reach. You can clean non-leather parts of your dash with a gentle soap solution for plastic, vinyl, and rubber.

Clean other details

Aside from the dashboard, it is essential to clean the glass dash cover, radio system, steering wheel, and center console. Wipe down these details with the appropriate dashboard cleaners based on what material they’re made of.

Polishing and final touches

Polish your dashboard after it has been cleaned protect it from wear and tear. It can also give an extra shine to it. You can purchase some car dashboard polish solution and apply some on a microfiber cloth. Bear in mind to do a spot test first before applying all over your dashboard. Wipe the dash one last time with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to clear out any residues to help protect, condition, and shine your dashboard.

Contact us now!

If you have other concerns on how to clean the dashboard of your used car, don’t hesitate to contact Airport Auto Sales Used Car Dealership in Fairfax, Virginia today! We provide some tips and tricks on how to make used cars its best look possible.

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