From dust to coffee spills, a car dashboard sees a lot. This leaves your dash in rough shape, which isn’t the best look—especially if you’re picking up someone for a date. Cleaning your dash not only makes your car look better but also makes it a more healthy place for you and your passengers.
Even though there is some prep involved in car dashboard cleaning, there’s no need to clear your weekend schedule. Start prepping by determining what your dash is made of, removing any larger items, and protecting any electronic screens. Taking time to prep prevents things like using the wrong cleaning solution or damaging any valuable items.
There are also some tools you want on hand for the cleaning process. This includes:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Microfiber towels
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (yes, really)
- Cleaning solution (commercial cleaner or soapy water)
- Polish
- Detailing brush
Step 1: Vacuum and Clean the Dashboard
Vacuuming gets rid of abrasive materials stuck to the surface of the dash. It’s important to remove these before wiping the dash, otherwise they may cause scratches. Vacuuming is best done with a brush attachment, as this will help to better remove debris. When vacuuming, check out-of-sight areas where dirt and dust tend to accumulate.
Step 2: Wipe the Dashboard With a Microfiber Towel Soaked in Cleaning Solution
It’s tempting to reach for the terry cloth, but don’t do it. Instead, get a microfiber towel. It removes dirt and dust in a single wipe, wet or dry.
Don’t have any cleaning solution on hand? That’s okay. Creating a cleaning solution is as simple as mixing soap and warm water. You can use common household items like vinegar, dish soap, or even baby oil to make your cleaning solution.
Tip: Spot Test. It’s advised to spot-test before going all in. Remember that once you commit, there’s no going back.
With a dry towel, wipe the dashboard section by section. After a section has been wiped down, take another towel dampened with water. This removes the remaining cleaning solution and leftover contaminants. This is important because cleaning solutions can dry and stick to the surface of your dashboard.
Step 3: Wipe the Surrounding Areas Clean
For this step, you can continue using the cleaning solution used on the dashboard. Use another microfiber towel to wipe down sections like the steering wheel, gear shift, and other nearby surfaces.
Only use an electronic-safe screen wipe for electronics, such as a touchscreen.
Step 4: Spot Clean Stains Using Toothpaste and a Toothbrush
In some cases, stubborn stains may not come off; that’s where the toothbrush and toothpaste come in. The fine bristles of the toothbrush help scrub out tough stains. But before you start scrubbing, you always want to spot-test using toothpaste. If the test checks out fine, then proceed to put a small amount on the stains—then, scrub.
For vinyl, use a damp microfiber towel instead of a toothbrush. Bristles on vinyl can cause damage.
Step 5: Clean the Crevices With a Detailing Brush
For those harder-to-reach areas, you want to bust out a detailing brush. If you don’t have one on hand, a reliable toothbrush or even a cotton swab will suffice. Using these items, you can clean areas such as any narrow spots, air vents, or even the dashboard knobs. When brushing, be gentle and slow to avoid scratching the surface.
Step 6: Apply Polish
Time for the finishing touches! For polishing, you can use a commercial polish. Alternatives such as coconut oil or petroleum jelly also work well. Again, always perform a spot test to make sure it won’t adversely affect the material of your car. If safe, dab the polish onto a microfiber towel and rub it over the dashboard. After finishing the above steps, you can finally hit the road with a clean dash.
Want to make sure your dash is ready to impress your passengers? The Absorber by CleanTools is the perfect tool to give your dash that extra sparkle. No need to worry about dust on your dash ever again!