How to Make Your Own Car Cleaning Solutions

Keeping your car's interior clean can sometimes seem like an uphill battle when you don't have the right cleaning products on hand. Cleaners can be expensive, and some cleaners use harsh chemicals that can pose some health risk after frequent use.

While some commercial cleaners are perfectly safe, there are some simple and effective cleaners you can make at home using common household ingredients and items for a fraction of the cost. You can store these homemade cleaners in small bottles or spray bottles in your car's glove compartment and have them on hand for spot cleaning at a moment's notice.

To get started, buy a few small spray bottles that can easily fit in your car. While most of these cleaners can be used with newspaper or paper towels, you can use a microfiber cloth instead so you can wash and reuse it.

Part 1 of 3: Make a Simple Windshield Wiper

Necessary materials

• Chalkboard or whiteboard eraser
• Lemon juice
• Microfiber cloths or newspaper
• Small aerosol cans
• Small squeeze bottles
• water
• white vinegar

Step 1 Use a blackboard eraser.. Buy a white or chalkboard eraser from any department store or craft store. These erasers are quite cheap and some of them are ergonomically designed for ease of use.

Use an eraser to erase fingerprints or small marks on windows or the inside of your windshield.

Step 2: Prepare Liquid Cleaner. In a small spray bottle, mix equal parts white vinegar and water with a few drops of lemon juice and shake. To use, simply spray the mixture on any dirty areas and wipe them with a newspaper or microfiber cloth.

This mixture can be used to remove hard residue from glass or even dashboards.

• Functions: Vinegar cannot be applied to aluminum, so use caution when using vinegar near any metal parts.

Part 2 of 3: Prepare Your Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Necessary materials

• Baking soda
• Essential oil of your choice (clear and not tinted)
• Lemon juice
• Microfiber cloths or newspaper
• Salt
• Small aerosol cans
• Small squeeze bottles
• Toothbrush or any brush with hard bristles.
• Vacuums
• white vinegar

Step 1: Prepare the Stain Removal Paste. In a small bottle, combine baking soda and enough white vinegar to make a thick paste.

To use, simply apply the paste directly to the stain and then use a small, stiff-bristled brush to work it onto carpet or upholstery. Let the paste dry and then vacuum it up.

• Functions: Test the paste on a small, inconspicuous area of ​​carpet and upholstery before use to ensure the color lasts.

Step 2: Mix the deodorant spray. Start by mixing equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then add some salt and a few drops of any essential oil without dyes that you like.

Shake vigorously to mix the spray and use to clean and sanitize upholstery. Essential oils will also leave a lasting fresh fragrance.

• Functions: Always shake the bottle to mix the mixture before use.

Part 3 of 3: Make Console/Dashboard Cleaners

Necessary materials

• Lemon juice
• Microfiber cloths or newspaper
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Small aerosol cans
• Small squeeze bottles
• Toothbrush or any brush with hard bristles.
• white vinegar

Step 1: Clean Your Dashboard. In another spray bottle, mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Shake the bottle to mix the mixture.

Spray the solution on the dashboard and center console and let it soak in. Let the material soak in for a few minutes before wiping it with a clean newspaper or microfiber cloth.

• FunctionsA: You can use this solution on almost all materials. While you can use a leather cleaner, do a spot test on a small area first before using it on the entire surface.

Step 2: Clean Your Dashboard. In a spray bottle, mix one part lemon juice with two parts olive oil and shake well.

Using a piece of newspaper or a microfiber cloth, apply a small amount to the dashboard in a thin, even layer. Wipe off excess with another clean cloth or newspaper.

• Attention: Do not apply this solution to the steering wheel, emergency brake lever or brake pedals, as the oil in the mixture can make these parts slippery, which can be dangerous while driving. The oil also makes it difficult to remove from the glass, so avoid getting the solution on your windshield, mirrors, or windows.

Using white vinegar with a few other select ingredients can save you money in the long run without sacrificing the effectiveness of traditional car cleaners, and its versatility is only limited by your imagination.

White vinegar is a favorite ingredient in most cleaning products that eschew traditional chemicals in favor of non-toxic alternatives, and for good reason. Vinegar is safe to use, non-toxic, readily available, and above all, cheap and effective.