A previous article on BMWForSale detailed some tips and tricks for keeping your BMW looking pristine in order to maintain its value. After all, a BMW is an investment, and most people want to keep their BMW in tip-top shape, in case they need to sell it. While the exterior of the car is the first thing a potential buyer sees and evaluates, never forget that age-old adage, “It’s the inside that counts!” Even the most interested buyer will shy away from a purchase if it looks like the interior was rampaged by a kindergarten classroom. Below are a few tips for helping keep the interior of your car nice and clean, and, when combined with proper care of the exterior of your BMW, you’re sure to have a quality-looking vehicle for years to come!
Vacuuming Your BMW
Vacuuming is a simple task that should be performed relatively frequently to ensure that it doesn’t take too much time out of your day. Vacuuming isn’t a complicated thing to do, but there are a few rules of thumb that may prove useful when selecting a vacuum to utilize. First, it’s important that you have a strong vacuum that isn’t too strong. Many manufacturers sell car vacuums specially designed to fit into cars well. They have a small form-factor and are a great investment if you’re planning to vacuum your car frequently. Additionally, specialty car vacuums come with several different attachments that will be useful for getting into the crevices of your BMW to ensure a deep clean. Take out the floor mats, push the seats forward, and work back to front.
Trash
We’ve all been there. You’re running late to work or in between meetings, and you need a quick bite to eat. Maybe you can’t get your morning started without a trip to Starbucks or another coffee house. One simple rule to follow if you’re interested in maintaining the cleanliness of your BMW is to throw your trash out, and if possible avoid making purchases that create the opportunity to leave trash in your car. After all, a coffee spill, greasy french fry stain, or ground-up chips are much more tedious to clean than just waiting to eat your hamburger after you’ve left the car.
Cleaning Your Dashboard/Console
A foam applicator pad will be incredibly useful to you when cleaning your dashboard or console. Start by using a slightly dampened microfiber cloth to wipe away any dust that has settled on the console or dashboard. Then, apply a vinyl protectant onto your applicator so that you don’t over apply the protectant to the interior itself. After several minutes, use a dry microfiber cloth to continue buffing the interior of your car.
Shampooing Your Floor Mats
Cleaning and shampooing your floor mats is one of the most tedious items on your to-do list when it comes to cleaning your BMW. This is because it can take several hours to dry. Although it is time-consuming, it will really make the difference if your BMW has cloth floor mats, in which case proper technique is imperative. Start by vacuuming your mats thoroughly, and then use an upholstery cleaner to take care of small spot stains. Then, in sections of about two square feet, begin using a sponge or an upholstery brush, along with an upholstery cleaner and some warm water, in order to clean each mat. Rinse each mat out with more water after wiping away any residual soap, and then use a microfiber towel or a vacuum that handles liquids and solids to take away as much moisture and soap from the mats as possible. Allow the mats to dry thoroughly before returning them to your car.
With these tips, it’s easy to save money you would spend on professional cleaners and really ensure that your BMW gets the attention it deserves. Between caring for floor mats, the dashboard, console, and vacuuming, your BMW will be looking as good on the inside as it does on the outside.