Topic: Basic question on cleaning car interior

[CSH]

Hi,
Now that winter is almost gone and i ahvent cleaned my car interiors in 16 months its time to clean the car interiors. Someone suggested that i get shampooing done but that costs more than a 100$ before tax. I am ready to do some hard work, can you suggest somethin DIY i can do for the following
1) Dashboard and all the plastics
2) Seats
3) Carpet

Something that i can buy of canadian tire and do it mayself to make this stuff clean and look like new.. am doing this for the first time for any car so tips and tricks would be helpful

Thanks,

[wing]

Let's break out the secrets to getting salt out, my mazda3 has a few stains from the 2 trips it make this winter.

I hear shaving cream works really really well.

[airbalancer]

Chetan, you can rent a shampoo rug machine
vinegar + water for salts stain, I hear works good
Also I think crappy tire has stuff
Simoniz® Salt & Stain Remover

$8.99

Product #39-0417-0

The perfect solution for cleaning winter salt stains
Also cleans coffee, juice and tough dirt
Cleans everywhere inside the car (carpet, fabric, vinyl and floor mats)
Tough formulation leaves your vehicle looking clean and smelling great
Exclusive to Canadian Tire
473mL (16 oz)

Wing, you had the Mazda 3 out  long either to salt in it

[CSH]

So rent the machine + buy Simoniz® Salt & Stain Remover or just use the Simoniz® Salt & Stain Remover and water.
I hope this will clean the plastics too

[Snowman]

  I can honestly say I have never had salt stains in any car or truck. Good winter floor mats work wonders. I would have a hard time getting in a car that has not received an interior clean in 16 months. At the most 3 weeks for my vechiles.

[dr_spock]

I use a Bissell Big Green deep cleaning machine on the fabric seats and carpet once a year.   I use the Bissell cleaning solution with Scotchgard.   I bought one for $200 or so a few years ago. 

[airbalancer]

So rent the machine + buy Simoniz® Salt & Stain Remover or just use the Simoniz® Salt & Stain Remover and water.
I hope this will clean the plastics too

Search the detailing forum for Wings thread on interior cleaning

[Arthur Dent]

We bought a little green machine from Costco - pretty cheap - and I cleaned out the Rx-7s interior which was rather neglected - came out looking pretty darn good for a 22 year old. Dash plastics and such can be cleaned with a rag + hot water with a little drop of dish soap in it.

[The Mighty Duck]

I haven't cleaned my car in eight months...  but then, I haven't driven it, either. 

As for interior: rent a steam cleaner, wipe down all the plastics, and if you're feeling really ambitious, put some Armour All on them.