Clean Plastic Car Interior - How To [2024 GUIDE]

Keeping your car's interior clean is often underrated.

You spend most of your time inside the car - so why not have it be a nice and clean space?

Whether it's the dashboard, door panels, cup holders or trim, plastic surfaces can accumulate dirt, dust, and grime over time.

In this comprehensive guide, you will learn the essential tools, step-by-step process, and advanced techniques to effectively clean and maintain your car's plastic interior.

By following these tips and using the right products, you can ensure that your cars plastic looks great and stays in excellent condition.

Key Takeaways:

Cleaning your car's plastic interior is important for maintaining its appearance.
Regular cleaning and maintenance can prevent the buildup of dirt and grime on plastic surfaces.
Use the right tools, such as a soft brushes, a quality plastic cleaner and microfibre cloths, to effectively clean plastic interior surfaces.
Implement regular cleaning routines and use protectants to maintain and extend the longevity of your car's plastic interior.

Essential Tools for Plastic Car Interior Cleaning

Gathering Your Cleaning Arsenal

Before you start cleaning your car's plastic interior, it's important to gather all the necessary tools. Having the right cleaning arsenal will ensure a thorough and effective cleaning process. Here are the essential tools you'll need:

Vacuum cleaner with various head attachments (If you have loose dirt)
Soft detailing brushes
Soft Microfibre Cloths
Plastic Cleaner
Trim / Plastic Protector

With these tools in your possession, you'll be well-equipped to tackle the dirt and grime that accumulates on your car's plastic surfaces and protect the surface afterwards.

Vacuuming: First Step to a Clean Interior

Vacuuming is the first step in cleaning your car's plastic interior. Before you wipe down any surfaces, it's important to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris using a vacuum cleaner with the appropriate attachments. This will prevent scratching of the plastic surfaces during the cleaning process.

Make sure that the attachments you use have a soft rubber ending or keep a safe distance - in order to avoid scratching your plastic interior.

Be extremely careful on high-gloss black surfaces.

By starting with a thorough vacuuming, you'll create a clean canvas for the rest of the cleaning process.

Choosing the Right Plastic Cleaner

In short:

We (probably) have the most effective plastic cleaner on the UK market, whilst still being safe and free from harsh chemicals.

We produce it at our local factory in the UK.

Here it is:

That said.

If your interior is only dusty and not dirty - you are better off with our interior detailer, that cleans & protects:

For the rest of this article we´ll assume you have dirty plastics, that you want cleaned in depth - and for this, our vinyl and plastic cleaner is eminent!

Choosing the right Microfibre Cloths

When cleaning your car's plastic interior, using the right type of cloth is crucial. Soft Microfibre cloths, such as the Laser Edge 320 are highly recommended for this task, as they are gentle on plastic surfaces while effectively removing dirt and grime.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when choosing microfibre cloths:

Opt for high-quality microfibre cloths that are soft.
Choose different colours or designate specific cloths for different purposes to avoid cross-contamination.
Ensure the cloths are clean and free from any debris or residues.
Wash the cloths after use regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

By using the right microfibre cloths, you'll achieve streak-free and scratch-free results when cleaning your car's plastic interior.

Using Soft Brushes

There will be hard to reach areas, such as cupholders, glove box & other compartments.

In short:

You'll need soft brushes, that don't scratch, yet still release the dirt:

Meet our Super Soft Brushes:

Protecting the result - Trim / Plastic Protector

Having cleaned up your trim / plastic interior - you want it to keep that original look that it was "born" with.

To do that you need a trim / plastic Protector:

Meet TT Serum:

TT Serum is an advanced thick gel formula, that can be diluted for a more natural / satin finish.

When applying it to your plastic after cleaning - you will protect the finish by replacing lost moisture and adding a long-lasting, hydrophobic, UV resistant & anti-static, satin finish.

Clean Plastic Car Interior: A Step-by-Step Process

In this section, we will guide you through a step-by-step process to clean your car's plastic trim. Follow these tips and achieve a spotless and fresh interior trim.

Preparation Phase

Before you begin cleaning, ensure you remove any rubbish and personal belongings from the car. This will allow you to access all surfaces easily. Start by vacuuming the interior to remove loose dirt and dust. Use a vacuum cleaner with various (soft) attachments to reach into crevices and corners.

Cleaning Process

Once you have prepared the interior, it's time to clean the plastic surfaces.

Here's how:

Spray Plastic Cleaner directly on the surface you wish to clean or onto a microfibre cloth if you want to avoid overspray.
If necessary use a Soft Brush to agitate the soiled area
Wipe off excessive product

Dealing with Stains and Grime Promptly

The sooner you remove stains and grime - the lesser the risk of permanent damage.

If you notice a stain, clean it immediately using a product such as Mist>>
For stubborn stains that are hard to remove, use Plastic Cleaner>>
If grime or dirt accumulates on hard-to-reach areas, such as air vents or around buttons and switches, use a soft brush to remove it. Be gentle to avoid damaging the plastic surfaces.

Restorative Treatments for Faded Trim

If your car's trim has seen better days and is looking worse for wear, restorative treatments can bring it back to life.

Our popular options are either Trim Reaper or TT Serum which can revive faded trim panels.

Following the instructions on the product, apply restorer to the trim and allow it to penetrate for the recommended duration.

Afterwards, wipe away any excess product and admire the renewed colour and shine of your trim panels.

Please note that:

If the plastic is scratched or has other damage to it - then adding a protector will not remove the scratches.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Your Cars Plastic

Why is it important to clean your car's plastic interior?

Cleaning your car's plastic interior is important for maintaining its appearance. Plastic surfaces can accumulate dirt, dust, and grime over time, and regular cleaning helps keep them looking clean and well-maintained.

What tools do I need to clean my car's plastic interior?

To clean your car's plastic interior, you will need a vacuum cleaner with various head attachments, a plastic cleaner and microfibre cloths for effective cleaning.

How do I clean my car's plastic interior?

To clean your car's plastic interior, start by removing personal belongings and vacuuming the interior to remove loose surface dust and dirt. Then use a plastic cleaner.

How do I maintain the cleanliness of my car's plastic interior?

To maintain the cleanliness of your car's plastic interior, use protectants to extend the longevity of your car's plastic surfaces and deal with stains and grime promptly to prevent them from becoming more difficult to remove.