This episode is brought to you by Squarespace.
This episode is brought to you by Squarespace.

[INTRO MUSIC]
[INTRO MUSIC]

Whether you feel like cleaning is a soothing ritual or a task best procrastinated, cleaning
Whether you feel like cleaning is a soothing ritual or a task best procrastinated, cleaning

your stuff is part of adulting.
your stuff is part of adulting.

So let’s take a look at a simple but effective checklist for cleaning the interior of your
So let’s take a look at a simple but effective checklist for cleaning the interior of your

car.
car.

We should note that this guide is geared towards folks on a budget who own a car that maybe
We should note that this guide is geared towards folks on a budget who own a car that maybe

isn’t in completely pristine condition, and not for folks who won a new car on the
isn’t in completely pristine condition, and not for folks who won a new car on the

Price is Right.
Price is Right.

One day...
One day...

Okay, first up, let’s gather our supplies.
Okay, first up, let’s gather our supplies.

Here is a list of household cleaning materials, with a few car-specific cleaners if you want
Here is a list of household cleaning materials, with a few car-specific cleaners if you want

to go the extra mile.
to go the extra mile.

A bucket, soft cloth, laundry detergent, dish soap, a vacuum, and toothbrushes can go a
A bucket, soft cloth, laundry detergent, dish soap, a vacuum, and toothbrushes can go a

long way by themselves.
long way by themselves.

But, it’s good to remember that dish and laundry soaps are designed to clean dishes
But, it’s good to remember that dish and laundry soaps are designed to clean dishes

and clothes, and therefore aren’t always the best choice to use on your car.
and clothes, and therefore aren’t always the best choice to use on your car.

If you’re unsure how a soap solution is going to affect the material you’re applying
If you’re unsure how a soap solution is going to affect the material you’re applying

it to, it’s always a good idea to test it out on a small section of the car first.
it to, it’s always a good idea to test it out on a small section of the car first.

Step one: clear out all of your stuff.
Step one: clear out all of your stuff.

A car is a room on wheels, so it makes sense that you might have a few things in there
A car is a room on wheels, so it makes sense that you might have a few things in there

that don’t belong, but have lingered nonetheless.
that don’t belong, but have lingered nonetheless.

Grab some trash bags and sort your stuff into ‘stuff that belongs in the car’, ‘stuff
Grab some trash bags and sort your stuff into ‘stuff that belongs in the car’, ‘stuff

that belongs elsewhere’, and ‘stuff that goes in the trash that is too big to vacuum’.
that belongs elsewhere’, and ‘stuff that goes in the trash that is too big to vacuum’.

Here’s lookin’ at you, four-year-old french fry. [violin sting]
Here’s lookin’ at you, four-year-old french fry. [violin sting]

Step two: FLOOR MATS
Step two: FLOOR MATS

If you have removeable floor mats, remove them!
If you have removeable floor mats, remove them!

Then whack them on the ground to get the smaller dusty particles out and vacuum to get rid
Then whack them on the ground to get the smaller dusty particles out and vacuum to get rid

of any big particles in the fibers or crevices.
of any big particles in the fibers or crevices.

If you have rubber mats you can use a hose or a bucket of water, and some detergent to
If you have rubber mats you can use a hose or a bucket of water, and some detergent to

wash away any stains or remaining dust with a sponge or cloth.
wash away any stains or remaining dust with a sponge or cloth.

Then give them a rinse, towel them off, and hang them up to air dry while you go about
Then give them a rinse, towel them off, and hang them up to air dry while you go about

the rest of your cleaning spree.
the rest of your cleaning spree.

If you have cloth mats you’ll want a stiff bristle brush, a laundry detergent and water
If you have cloth mats you’ll want a stiff bristle brush, a laundry detergent and water

mix, and some degreaser if you have some particularly bad or greasy stains.
mix, and some degreaser if you have some particularly bad or greasy stains.

First, if you’ve got any obvious nasty spots, spray the degreaser on the cloth side and
First, if you’ve got any obvious nasty spots, spray the degreaser on the cloth side and

let it sit for about 15 minutes or so.
let it sit for about 15 minutes or so.

Then take that stiff bristled brush from your detergent-water mix and give the mat a good
Then take that stiff bristled brush from your detergent-water mix and give the mat a good

brush-down in vertical strokes, and then perpendicular horizontal strokes.
brush-down in vertical strokes, and then perpendicular horizontal strokes.

After that, use an absorbent cloth and some elbow grease to absorb as much water and suspended
After that, use an absorbent cloth and some elbow grease to absorb as much water and suspended

dirt as you can.
dirt as you can.

Hang it up to dry while you complete the rest of the car cleaning.
Hang it up to dry while you complete the rest of the car cleaning.

Make sure your mats are sahara dry before putting them back in your car.
Make sure your mats are sahara dry before putting them back in your car.

The last thing you want from your cleaning session is to wind up with a musty or moldy
The last thing you want from your cleaning session is to wind up with a musty or moldy

floor.
floor.

Step three: VACUUM.
Step three: VACUUM.

Vacuum up all of the loose debris in your car using an attachment without bristles.
Vacuum up all of the loose debris in your car using an attachment without bristles.

This requires getting up close and personal with the crumbs of past snacks, dog hair,
This requires getting up close and personal with the crumbs of past snacks, dog hair,

and dirt.
and dirt.

Make sure to get under each seat, and use the crevice tool of your vacuum to get into
Make sure to get under each seat, and use the crevice tool of your vacuum to get into

every nook and cranny.
every nook and cranny.

Step four: FLOORS
Step four: FLOORS

If you have a vinyl or rubber floor just use mild dish soap, water, and a rag.
If you have a vinyl or rubber floor just use mild dish soap, water, and a rag.

Easy peasy!
Easy peasy!

If you have a carpeted floor, cleaning it is a little tricky.
If you have a carpeted floor, cleaning it is a little tricky.

You don’t want to get anything too wet for too long or it will mildew and mold.
You don’t want to get anything too wet for too long or it will mildew and mold.

If the carpet isn’t too dirty, the safer play is probably to just vacuum.
If the carpet isn’t too dirty, the safer play is probably to just vacuum.

Better to look at a tiny coffee stain than smell putrid mold, I always say.
Better to look at a tiny coffee stain than smell putrid mold, I always say.

But if you have a few stains that are driving you bananas, dilute some laundry detergent
But if you have a few stains that are driving you bananas, dilute some laundry detergent

with water and put it in a spray bottle, or use products specifically designed for car
with water and put it in a spray bottle, or use products specifically designed for car

carpeting.
carpeting.

Spritz ‘er a few times, then grab your brush and get busy.
Spritz ‘er a few times, then grab your brush and get busy.

Dab the spot with a damp rag to remove the soap and dirt, but again, don’t let your
Dab the spot with a damp rag to remove the soap and dirt, but again, don’t let your

carpet get too wet.
carpet get too wet.

Make sure those spots are dry before closing all your doors and windows.
Make sure those spots are dry before closing all your doors and windows.

If you’re on a time crunch and you’ve still got wet spots, you can bust out a hair
If you’re on a time crunch and you’ve still got wet spots, you can bust out a hair

dryer and extension cord to finish the job quickly.
dryer and extension cord to finish the job quickly.

Bonus points for pointing the hair dryer at yourself and pretending you’re in a shampoo
Bonus points for pointing the hair dryer at yourself and pretending you’re in a shampoo

commercial.
commercial.

Step five: SEATS
Step five: SEATS

For fabric upholstered seats, fill two buckets with water, one hot and one cold.
For fabric upholstered seats, fill two buckets with water, one hot and one cold.

Then put a small amount of laundry detergent in the hot water bucket.
Then put a small amount of laundry detergent in the hot water bucket.

Lightly dampen the brush or rag with the water from the hot bucket, then scrub your stain.
Lightly dampen the brush or rag with the water from the hot bucket, then scrub your stain.

Finally, use a cloth or towel dampened with the cold bucket and remove excess soap and
Finally, use a cloth or towel dampened with the cold bucket and remove excess soap and

dirt with it.
dirt with it.

To get into those seams, try using a toothbrush.
To get into those seams, try using a toothbrush.

Leather seats are a little trickier.
Leather seats are a little trickier.

Clean them with commercial leather cleaner, saddle soap, or a very diluted solution of
Clean them with commercial leather cleaner, saddle soap, or a very diluted solution of

liquid dish washing soap.
liquid dish washing soap.

Lightly dampen a soft cloth with your soap solution and gently wipe the surfaces down.
Lightly dampen a soft cloth with your soap solution and gently wipe the surfaces down.

Be careful not to use too much water or it might stain your leather or seep into the
Be careful not to use too much water or it might stain your leather or seep into the

cushions.
cushions.

Because leather is literally cow skin, you need a conditioner to keep it from drying
Because leather is literally cow skin, you need a conditioner to keep it from drying

out and cracking.
out and cracking.

Apply some leather conditioner to a soft cloth and lightly massage it into the seat.
Apply some leather conditioner to a soft cloth and lightly massage it into the seat.

You want to strike a balance on leather: make sure your car’s seat-skin doesn’t dry
You want to strike a balance on leather: make sure your car’s seat-skin doesn’t dry

out, but don’t get it super greasy either.
out, but don’t get it super greasy either.

Step six: INTERIOR WINDSHIELD
Step six: INTERIOR WINDSHIELD

Cleaning the interior of your windshield requires some interesting and potentially difficult
Cleaning the interior of your windshield requires some interesting and potentially difficult

arm positioning, but trust me, it’ll be worth it.
arm positioning, but trust me, it’ll be worth it.

For a deep clean, first grab a dry, clean, soft cloth and wipe the entire windshield.
For a deep clean, first grab a dry, clean, soft cloth and wipe the entire windshield.

Next, put a few towels on the dashboard to prevent any spillage from glass to dash.
Next, put a few towels on the dashboard to prevent any spillage from glass to dash.

Then apply some rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner to a paper towel or clean cloth and get to
Then apply some rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner to a paper towel or clean cloth and get to

wiping.
wiping.

Another method is to use a crumpled up newspaper with a white vinegar and water mixture.
Another method is to use a crumpled up newspaper with a white vinegar and water mixture.

Rub your windshield down in a circular pattern to eliminate spots, and finish off with some
Rub your windshield down in a circular pattern to eliminate spots, and finish off with some

vertical and horizontal strokes.
vertical and horizontal strokes.

Step seven: DUSTING HARD SURFACES
Step seven: DUSTING HARD SURFACES

For this step, you can buy some Armor All or some other brand, or use a bucket of hot
For this step, you can buy some Armor All or some other brand, or use a bucket of hot

water with some mild dishwashing soap, and a rag.
water with some mild dishwashing soap, and a rag.

You can use a soft toothbrush, q-tip, or soft paintbrush to get into those hard-to-reach
You can use a soft toothbrush, q-tip, or soft paintbrush to get into those hard-to-reach

places like the AC vents, or around various knobs.
places like the AC vents, or around various knobs.

Add the soap to the tool you’re using instead of spraying directly on the surface.
Add the soap to the tool you’re using instead of spraying directly on the surface.

This will decrease the likelihood of staining that precious vinyl.
This will decrease the likelihood of staining that precious vinyl.

And finally, be careful not to apply vinyl or leather cleaner or any other slippery solution
And finally, be careful not to apply vinyl or leather cleaner or any other slippery solution

to your steering wheel or gearstick.
to your steering wheel or gearstick.

Even the most beautifully polished wheel or stickshift is not worth spending a night -- or
Even the most beautifully polished wheel or stickshift is not worth spending a night -- or

a month -- in the hospital.
a month -- in the hospital.

And there you have it!
And there you have it!

Make sure to bask in the cleanliness of your car’s interior while you can, but don’t
Make sure to bask in the cleanliness of your car’s interior while you can, but don’t

sweat it when the next french fry drops, or your dog jumps in after running around in
sweat it when the next french fry drops, or your dog jumps in after running around in

the mud.
the mud.

Life is messy.
Life is messy.

If you have any car interior cleaning tips or tricks, let us know in the comments!
If you have any car interior cleaning tips or tricks, let us know in the comments!

We love to hear from you and continue the conversation.
We love to hear from you and continue the conversation.

And if you want to learn more about adulting with Hank and me, subscribe to us at youtube.com/learnhowtoadult.
And if you want to learn more about adulting with Hank and me, subscribe to us at youtube.com/learnhowtoadult.

We’re hoping to have an episode for cleaning the exterior of your car in the future, so
We’re hoping to have an episode for cleaning the exterior of your car in the future, so

keep an eye out, and happy cleaning!
keep an eye out, and happy cleaning!

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace, which lets users create custom websites or
This episode is brought to you by Squarespace, which lets users create custom websites or

online stores with its all-in-one platform.
online stores with its all-in-one platform.

If you’re looking to make your next move on a business idea or want to launch a creative
If you’re looking to make your next move on a business idea or want to launch a creative

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order.
order.

Dish soap.
Dish soap.

Can I never say dish soap in other scripts ever again?
Can I never say dish soap in other scripts ever again?

But it’s good to remember that dish s-thppp.
But it’s good to remember that dish s-thppp.

Man, now my eyes hurt.
Man, now my eyes hurt.

[laughter]
[laughter]

Okay.
Okay.

Step—step four floor.
Step—step four floor.

[laughter]
[laughter]

Step four—
Step four—

Step four.
Step four.

Floor.
Floor.

[laughter]
[laughter]

Can I say floors?
Can I say floors?

Step four.
Step four.

Floors.
Floors.

[off-screen] You’re like back there, giggling!
[off-screen] You’re like back there, giggling!

[off-screen] I’m a terrible director.
[off-screen] I’m a terrible director.

Everybody just take a deep breath, and hold it.
Everybody just take a deep breath, and hold it.

Better to look at a tiny coffee stain than smell putrid mold, I always say.
Better to look at a tiny coffee stain than smell putrid mold, I always say.

Lightly dampen a brush or a rag with the water from the hot bocket.
Lightly dampen a brush or a rag with the water from the hot bocket.

Hot pocket.
Hot pocket.