Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate Geeky Camel earns from qualifying purchases.
We’ve all been there. You get busy with work or family life and you neglect to clean out your car. After a while of throwing things in the backseat, it can get pretty messy in there. Whether there are bags of old fast-food or kiddie hand prints all over, a car can get pretty icky if it’s not properly taken care of. But getting your car professionally cleaned can be costly but you don’t have enough time to clean it out by yourself. So what is the best solution?
Well, we have compiled a list of easy ways to keep your car clean constantly or how to best clean it up if it is already a pigsty. There are tons of cleaning hacks floating around the internet that can save you time and effort from cleaning for hours on end. Plenty of reluctant cleaners have used these hacks and they have kept their cars squeaky clean as a result. Many of these hacks can even be instituted in homes too.
Bleach on the wheels
While getting your wheels squeaky clean takes some time, using bleach is a great hack to get a better result. If you put a small amount of bleach (Clorox) on an old rag and throw some Lysol over the powder, it makes for a winning combination.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
After you scrub the rims with the rag, you will see results very quickly. This hack requires a little bit of labor, however, it is definitely well worth it!
Clean your vents with foam
If you find yourself sneezing or getting an allergic reaction in your car, it could be because there is tons of dust and dirt in your car vents. Even if you are not experiencing this, it is not very healthy to drive around with dirty vents.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
The best hack for cleaning them out is to use a small foam brush since they are squishy and can get into all of the nooks and crannies.
The best headlight cleaner
We know, this one sounds silly but it really works! When your headlights get dirty it can be potentially dangerous as they may get too cloudy, which makes it harder for you to see in the dark.
Replacing your headlights can be extremely costly so keeping them clean is a great way to make sure they are in good shape. Using toothpaste (a whitening one is even better) on your headlights, scrubbing it off and letting it dry will ensure that you lights remain clear.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Taking off bumper stickers
Maybe you have a bumper sticker from a long past whim you’re not on board with anymore. Whatever it may be, getting an old bumper sticker off of your car is no easy task.
Those stickers can leave behind a sticky residue and your bumper may require a potential paint job. However, if you use WD-40 spray over the sticker and let it soak, it will peel off with ease. Try it and see!
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Silicon gel #1
Keeping your air vents clean is super important for multiple different reasons. You need them to turn up the air conditioning when it is super hot outside or to keep yourself warm and toasty on a cold winter day.
So, when your vents get clogged up with gunk and dirt, they could be sending out nasty air into your car. If you want to get all of the dust out of your vents, take some silicon gel and place it into your vent.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Magic erasers
Are you suffering from stains on your vinyl seats? If so, then we have a solution for you to get those seats back to normal. Run down to your local grocery store and pick up some Magic Eraser sponges and scrub your seats with them.
Run the eraser under some water until it’s damp and gently scrub your seats and say goodbye to those stains. It will also make your car smell nice and fresh.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Clay on the body
If you are after that showroom finish, this hack will give you the best results without having to break the bank. Using clay (yes, the art medium) and running it over the body of the your car will pick up any dirt or nasty fingerprints.
If you do not believe us, you have to try it yourself to see! In addition, you will be left with a shiny finish on your car.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Q-tips for details
If you are a very detail oriented person and you want your car to be spotless, a Q-tip will come in handy to make your car immaculate. Q-tips are small and flexible so they can basically fit anywhere.
They can be used anywhere from car logos to the cup holders. The cotton can help soak up any of the excess cleaning product that you are using and they come in a large quantity for a low cost!
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Vaseline
Vaseline is not just for dry skin anymore. There are many ways that you can use it to keep your car spotless. If you have leather or vinyl seats, throw some vaseline on a towel or cloth and run it over the seats and it will prevent them from breaking or cracking.
In addition, if you live in a cold climate, putting vaseline over the seals of the doors will stop them from freezing.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
A squeegee for the seats?
If you are a pet owner, you will know the struggle of the amount of fur and hair that gets all over the seats of your car (not to mention your house). Getting out the vacuum is not always sufficient and it is a hassle to take to your car.
Instead, try using a spray bottle filled with water and a small plastic squeegee. Spritz a little water onto your seats and run the squeegee over the fur filled parts. The squeegee will pick up the hair in no time.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Clean the vents
Any car owner will tell you that one of the worst things about keeping your vehicle nice and tidy is the dust and grime that seems to collect especially in places you can’t really reach. One of the worst offenders in this regard is the A/C vents, with slits too narrow to put anything in… until now, that is!
This nifty new gadget allows you to clean the vents using the special brush, and avoid having dust blown in your face every time you switch on the A/C.
Baking soda for odors
If your car stinks and you do not want to may to get it professionally cleaned or you are in a pinch for time, we have a great alternative. To get that gym bag stink out of your seats, spread a generous amount of baking soda and let it sink in for a couple of hours.
After the odor is lifted out of the seats, just vacuum up the leftover baking soda and enjoy your clean smelling car.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Keeping your windows clean
If you don’t have the time to make it to the car wash, this is a great and convenient hack. If you are a parent or particularly clumsy, you know how useful keeping baby wipes on you can be.
Cleaning wipes are not only good for sticky hands, they make great window cleaners! Keeping your windows clean is very important as you want to be able to see what is going on around you!
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Cupcake molds
When you throw so much stuff into your cup holders, it can leave them grimy and dirty. Cleaning them out is like pulling teeth but we have an easy solution to prevent them from getting gross in the first place.
Just insert a cupcake mold into your cup holder and throw all of you extra change and keys in there instead! When they get moldy or dirty, you can just take the cupcake mold out and either clean it or get a new one.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Keyboard cleaner
Using compressed air isn’t just for your keyboard, it can also be used in your car. If your vents are full of dust, just grab a can of keyboard cleaner and spray it into the vents.
The thin straw on the can lets the air come out fast and cleans the dust away with the pressure of the air. Forget heavy vacuums, this is an easy solution that will keep the air flowing and clean.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Steel wool
While this advice may seem counterintuitive, it will not ruin your car. Trust us! Using steel wool on your windshield is a great combination that will leave it squeaky clean.
The glass on your windshield is stronger and does not scratch easily (for obvious reasons) so steel wool won’t scratch it up. If you have grime or a bird left you a present on your windshield, steel wool will leave it a lot clearer.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Dryer wipes to take off bugs
Most of us have experienced cleaning dead bugs off of our cars and it is not an enjoyable experience. If bugs seem to flock to your car or fly into your windshield by accident, then this is the hack for you.
Simply put some water on a dryer sheet and run it over the affected area in question. The bugs will be off in no time and your car will be looking fresh and clean.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
A screwdriver over a cloth
Dust and dirt can get into the tiniest corners of your car, which makes it very hard to clean. If you are having a tough time getting those small crevices in your car clean, grab a screwdriver and a cloth.
Put the cloth over the screwdriver and you’ll see that the small head of the screwdriver will get into those hard to reach places and pick up any gunk or dirt.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Essential oils
If you want to prevent your gym bag from stinking up your car then use this hack to avoid the nasty odor at all costs. All you need is a clothespin and some nice smelling essential oils.
Just soak the clothespin in the oil and then clip the pin onto your car’s vent. This is a cost efficient and simple way to keep your car smelling fresh and stink-free.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Car trash bin
We still can’t understand why everyone doesn’t do this! If you have ever been on a long road trip, you’ve probably brought along a plastic bag that is the designated garbage bag. So why don’t we do this all of the time?
Find a small trash can and place on the floor of the passenger seat (or in the back if it’s more convenient) so you can throw any garbage away that you have accumulated. This is also a great way to prevent you from getting the urge to toss trash out of the window.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Removing bugs
If you ever find yourself driving down the highway on a hot day in the middle of summer, you are bound to run into a big bug problem. While you did not mean to squish the little guys, those bugs will fly straight into your bumper and leave you with a mushy mess to clean up.
Simply spray some cooking spray on your bumper and take a cloth and those bugs will wipe right off.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Scented wax
While there are air fresheners that are made specifically for cars, they are often too strong or the smells are too sweet and nauseating. So how can you make your car smell good without using an air freshener.
Take a scented candle that you can’t get enough of and scrape some off into a small car. Place some holes in the jar and melt the wax. The smell will be released and keep your car smelling great in a subtle way.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Vinegar to remove salt
If you live in a city where it snows, you know the damage the salt from the roads can do to your car. When there is heavy snowfall, trucks going around the city to put down salt so the snow melts faster.
But the salt doesn’t just melt the snow, it can also eat away at your car. This winter, try putting a mixture of vinegar and water under your vehicle with a spray bottle. This will prevent your car from eroding.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Hand drying
Here is a great way to make sure there are no streaks on your car after you get a wash. Whether you washed it yourself or got it done professionally, make sure that you hand dry your car with a towel after it is washed.
While most car washes have those giant dryers that dry off the beads of water, they don’t get all of the water away. These can leave spots and streaks and make your car look dirty.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
An iron for sticky messes
If you did not know the hack about placing a sheet under a car seat, you may have experienced a candy melting into the floor after one of your kids dropped their snacks. Don’t worry, we have a hack for you.
Take a regular clothes iron along with a thick piece of paper or thin cardboard. Place the paper onto the affected upholstery and run the iron over the paper for around 30 seconds. The mess should lift up onto the paper from the heat.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
Silicon gel #2
Silicon gel is clearly a handy tool for cleaning your car (as well as your house and other items). Another great use for silicon is to pick up grime and dirt between the buttons of your car.
If you place the piece of gel over the buttons and gently push down, the gel will pick up the dirt that gets stuck between them. Your car will look brand new in no time.
Want to buy this product? We found it for you on Amazon
