Using the same vacuum as the one you clean the floors of your house with won’t cut it when it comes to your car. You’ll need a stronger piece of equipment with a hose and various attachments for those hard-to-reach places — most any wet/dry vacuum will work. Regularly cleaning soft surfaces will prevent debris from becoming embedded in your mats.

Another method that will really help keep those carpets looking like new is steam cleaning. Although it’s often thought of as a means to clean area rugs in your house, it can really help freshen the look and smell of your carpet floor mats.

You should always keep a quality interior cleaner handy to clean up spills or just as an interior car detailing maintenance measure. There are several companies that sell multi-purpose cleaners for both leather and vinyl, and possibly even some plastics. If you’re looking to detail your vehicle with high-end cleaners, there are products specifically made for each surface in your car. If keeping it simple is your style, seek out an all-in-one cleaner to get the job done.

Over time, the inside of your car’s windows can become hazy, especially from the gasses leather and plastic materials naturally emit. Treat those surfaces as suggested above, but also take extra care when cleaning the inside of the windows to avoid clouding the glass. Use a chamois with water or a non-streaking glass cleaner, just remember to use one towel for your car’s windows and another for the exterior.