Best Homemade Car Interior Cleaner: DIY Tips for a Spotless Ride • Everyday Cheapskate

Remember that pristine, fresh, clean feeling of slipping behind the wheel of your new car? While professional detailing can be super expensive, you can achieve impressive results at home with just a few simple tools and supplies. Discover the best homemade car interior cleaner recipes and tips to detail your car like a pro.

Knowing how to detail car interiors may not restore that new car smell, but it will undoubtedly improve the air quality. Washing the windows, getting rid of trash and clutter, cleaning the carpet, and scrubbing the upholstery seats will help you breathe easier and could even improve your driving habits to boot.

With just a few tools and supplies you may already have on hand, along with these DIY cleaning recipes and tips, you can clean and detail your car’s interior just like the pros.

Homemade Dashboard and Tire Cleaner Recipe

Create a budget-friendly, effective cleaner for your car’s dashboard and tires with simple household ingredients. This DIY solution keeps your car’s interior and exterior surfaces spotless and shiny.

What You’ll Need:

1 clean spray bottle
1 tbsp plain white vinegar
1 cup warm water
1 tsp Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid
2 tsp baby oil, mineral oil, or 3-5 drops Tea Tree essential oil

Instructions:

Pour the warm water, vinegar, Blue Dawn, and oil into the spray bottle.
Shake well to combine.

To Use:

Spray the mixture onto a cloth.
Wipe down the dashboard, doors, tires, and other non-leather interior parts of your car, just like you would with Armor All.
Avoid using paper towels—they leave tiny bits of paper behind. Use a cloth and wipe in one direction for the best results.

This recipe also works wonders on the steering wheel, handbrake, and other non-leather interior surfaces.

View or print full recipe →

Effective DIY Fabric Upholstery Cleaner

Keep your car’s upholstery and your home fabrics looking fresh with this simple, homemade cleaner. Perfect for tackling stains and high-use areas, this DIY cleaner is easy to make and effective on both cloth seats and other upholstery.

What You’ll Need:

Cheese grater
Egg beater or whisk
Medium mixing bowl
6 tablespoons grated Fels Naptha laundry bar soap*
2 tablespoons borax*
2 cups boiling water

Instructions:

Grate the Fels Naptha soap using the cheese grater.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the grated soap, borax, and boiling water.
Whisk the mixture until all ingredients are dissolved and fully combined.
Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes or until it cools and starts to gel.
Whip the gelled mixture with the egg beater or whisk until it becomes a foam similar to whipped cream.

How to Use:

Dip a clean rag into the foam.
Apply a generous amount to the fabric surface, such as seats or headliners.
Gently scrub, allowing the foam to penetrate the fabric.
Wipe off with a wet cloth or rag. For stubborn stains, use a brush carefully to avoid damaging the fabric.
Let the area air dry and repeat if necessary.

Storage:

Store the leftover cleaner in a container with a tight-fitting lid, like Tupperware.

Note:

For a smaller batch, halve the recipe: 3 tbsp grated Fels Naptha, 1 tbsp borax, 1 cup boiling water.

View or print full recipe →

Homemade Leather and Vinyl Cleaner for Luxurious Interiors

Revitalize your vehicle’s leather and vinyl surfaces with this easy, homemade cleaner. Designed to keep your seats and surfaces looking sleek and feeling fresh, this DIY solution removes dust and sticky residues without damaging your luxurious interior. Always test in a small, hidden area first to ensure compatibility.

What You’ll Need:

Spray bottle
1/4 cup plain white vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
6 to 10 drops lemon essential oil (optional for a fresh, clean scent)

Instructions:

Combine vinegar, olive oil, and lemon essential oil in the spray bottle.
Shake well to mix the ingredients.

How to Use:

Spray a generous amount of cleaner onto a clean cloth—avoid spraying directly onto leather or vinyl.
Wipe down and gently scrub the surfaces, being careful not to oversaturate.
Dry the area thoroughly with a separate dry cloth to prevent any wet marks.

View or print the full recipe →

Natural Car Carpet Cleaner Solution

Car carpets and floor mats can quickly become dirty with regular use, especially if spills and stains occur. Instead of reaching for expensive commercial products, try this easy DIY cleaner to refresh your car’s carpets and mats.

What You’ll Need:

Large container (bowl or jar)
Stiff scrub brush
3 tbsp grated Fels Naptha bar soap
2 tbsp borax
2 cups boiling water
10 to 15 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

In your container, mix the grated Fels Naptha soap, borax, boiling water, and lavender essential oil. Stir or shake until the ingredients are well dissolved and foamy.

How to Use:

Dip the scrub brush into the solution and scrub the dirty areas of the carpet or floor mats.
Rinse with a clean, wet rag or, if cleaning floor mats, hose them off outside.
Allow to air dry completely.

Note: Fels Naptha is a powerful stain remover designed for laundry and upholstery, not a hand soap. Using a hand soap will yield disappointing results, so stick with Fels Naptha for best outcomes.

View or print the full recipe →

All-Purpose Homemade Glass Cleaner

Keep your windows and glass surfaces sparkling clean with this easy-to-make, all-purpose glass cleaner. This DIY solution is budget-friendly and effective for a streak-free shine.

What You’ll Need:

2 cups 91% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or 70% for a milder solution*
2 cups water
2 tablespoons white vinegar (5% acidity)
4 drops dishwashing liquid (like Blue Dawn)**

Instructions:

Pour the isopropyl alcohol, water, vinegar, and dishwashing liquid into a spray bottle.
Attach the sprayer top, label the bottle, and keep it out of reach of children.

Notes:

Isopropyl Alcohol: Helps cut through grime and evaporates quickly. If unavailable, denatured alcohol from the paint aisle can be used.
Dishwashing Liquid: Reduces surface tension, allowing the cleaner to lift and remove dirt and grease effectively.
Avoid Stone Surfaces: This cleaner is not suitable for stone or other materials sensitive to acids. It’s perfect for chrome and ceramic tiles.

This recipe makes about one quart of glass cleaner, ideal for a 32-ounce spray bottle. Feel free to adjust the quantities for your needs.

View or print the full recipe →

MORE: Some (But Not All) Spray Bottles are Designed to Fail

Best Tools for Wiping Windows

Newspaper

When it comes to cleaning windows quickly and effectively, ditch the paper towels and cotton cloths. Paper towels can be pricey, and cotton cloths often leave behind annoying lint. The old-school solution? Black-and-white newspaper. It’s free, recyclable, and leaves windows spotless with no streaks. Just be prepared for a bit of a mess—your clean windows might come with a pile of wet newsprint.

Microfiber

If you haven’t tried microfiber cloths yet, you’re in for a treat! These versatile cloths are fantastic for cleaning glass and nearly every surface in your home. High-quality microfiber cloths can be a bit pricey, but they’re worth it. I recommend the 70/30 blend for top performance, though an 80/20 cloth works well for everyday use. Just remember, don’t use fabric softeners when washing microfiber—your cloths will thank you.

MORE: The Best Microfiber Cloths and Why They Work Like Magic

I’m pretty sure I’ve tested just about every kind of microfiber cloth out there.The best microfiber cloths are made of 70 percent polyester and 30 percent polyamide (70/30). They also can cost upwards of $15 or $20 each. For regular housecleaning including glass, I find a good-quality 80/20 cloth works just great. Anything less than that is just not worth the money.

For durability and ease of use, I swear by the pack of 10 cloths from The Rag Company. They’re tough, long-lasting, and I love having some in darker colors—they always look as clean as they are.

MORE: How I Dry Cleaned My Windows

DIY Car Interior Cleaning Essentials

Ready to tackle your car’s interior like a pro? Before diving into the homemade cleaner recipes, make sure you have these essentials on hand. With just a few simple tools and supplies, you can transform your car into a spotless, fresh space:

Spray Bottles: Perfect for mixing and applying your homemade cleaners.
Microfiber Cloths: These are fantastic for wiping down surfaces without leaving lint behind.
Soft-Bristle Brushes: Ideal for scrubbing upholstery and carpets without damaging the fabric.
Vacuum Cleaner: A must for getting rid of all that hidden dirt and crumbs.
Baking Soda: Great for deodorizing and removing odors from carpets and upholstery.
White Vinegar: Effective for cutting through grime and stains.
Essential Oils: Add a few drops for a fresh, natural fragrance in your car.
Grated Fels Naptha Soap: Useful for making powerful DIY carpet cleaners.
Borax: Enhances the cleaning power of your solutions.
Isopropyl Alcohol: Helps to clean and evaporates quickly, especially useful for glass and shiny surfaces.
Dishwashing Liquid: Breaks the surface tension of water to lift dirt and grease effectively.

With these tools and ingredients ready, you’ll be well-equipped to create your own DIY car interior cleaners and keep your vehicle looking and smelling great. So, gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get cleaning!

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Question: What’s your go-to DIY solution for keeping your car interior clean? Share your tips and tricks below.

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Last update on 2026-05-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Karen says:

May 21, 2025 at 11:31 am

Thank you so much for these recipes! I used the dashboard cleaner recipe to help ready my car for sale. I have allergies and chemical sensitivities and can’t handle the commercial stuff! I didn’t have a spray bottle so I just dribbled a little on a cloth and wiped down.

Courtney says:

March 30, 2024 at 8:19 am

Another super great tip: Use men’s shaving cream to clean upholstery. Spray it on, rub it in and wait 30 minutes or so. Scrub and wipe with a damp cloth. I saw the tip on TikTok. My son’s seats and middle cover were stained from foods. And it stunk from dog smell the previous owner had. And it cleaned the stains and got rid of the funk. OxyClean for cars, don’t bother! A much cheaper alternative.

VINEVIDA says:

August 4, 2023 at 4:50 am

As someone who loves taking care of their car, this article has become my go-to guide for interior detailing. The homemade cleaners are easy to make and deliver outstanding results. Highly recommend.

Adolph Kimball says:

February 28, 2023 at 11:36 pm

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the amazing content you’ve been producing on your blog. I came across your recent post on How to Detail Car Interior and Passionate Auto Detail, and it was incredibly informative and well-written. Your post offered some fantastic ideas that I will be incorporating into my business.

Mary Hunt says:
March 1, 2023 at 4:20 pm

Thank you! Happy to hear it is helpful.

Pat A Weiser says:

January 7, 2022 at 8:01 pm

I always wonder about cleaning my leather seats. Since they are heated and cooled, they have little holes that catch ‘stuff’ in them. I’m afraid they will catch the cleaner and render them ineffective.

Mary Hunt says:
January 7, 2022 at 9:35 pm

Don’t spray directly on the leather. Spray the cleaning cloth and then use that to apply to the seats.

Anita Merritt says:

January 7, 2022 at 7:12 pm

Dear Mary,
Thank you for all your tips. I do have a question about the Fels Napa, thought. I am allergic to it. I tried using it in one of your other recipes, Laundry, I think and could not stop sneezing. My husband would grate it for me, but when I used it, all I could do was sneeze. Is there another soap I could use. Thank you, Anita

Mary Hunt says:
January 7, 2022 at 9:38 pm

Could you just have someone else grate it for you? You can substitute with Zote Laundry Bar Soap, but it is a bit pricey.

Contents:

Homemade Dashboard and Tire Cleaner Recipe

What You’ll Need:

Instructions:

To Use:

Effective DIY Fabric Upholstery Cleaner

What You’ll Need:

Instructions:

How to Use:

Storage:

Note:

Homemade Leather and Vinyl Cleaner for Luxurious Interiors

What You’ll Need:

Instructions:

How to Use:

Natural Car Carpet Cleaner Solution

What You’ll Need:

Instructions:

How to Use:

All-Purpose Homemade Glass Cleaner

What You’ll Need:

Instructions:

Notes:

Best Tools for Wiping Windows

Newspaper

Microfiber

DIY Car Interior Cleaning Essentials

More from Everyday Cheapskate

Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief, and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines

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