Having a fresh and tidy car can be massively rewarding, and makes the whole driving experience more pleasant not only for you but also for your passengers. Whether you take it to the car wash or to be valeted or just put the elbow grease in yourself, a gleaming interior always makes you feel like you’ve just bought a new car.

That’s all good in theory, sure—but when it comes to getting down on your hands and knees to actually access those hard-to-reach nooks and awkward little crannies, the whole affair might suddenly seem like just one chore too many. But deep down you know the dirt and dust quickly build up, and how good it will feel to get everything sparkling. So if you’re not sure where to start, today we break it down into 5 easy ways to keep your car interior clean and serene!

1) Take on the glovebox

Do you avoid opening the glovebox at all costs, lest you set off an avalanche of sweet wrappers, outdated documents, and CDs from the early 00s? If so, it might be time to face your fears and empty the whole thing out. Check through what you actually need in there. The answer: probably almost nothing. Use a folder to keep the remaining paperwork neat—and as for everything else, think, ‘Is there any situation in which this might come in handy?’ If not, get rid.

2) Have a pack of wipes handy

Wipes come in handy in all manner of situations when you’re a car owner. They’re ideal for cleaning up spills, mopping grubby hands, and giving hard surfaces a once-over. While many drivers swear by good old-fashioned baby wipes, you can also buy specialist interior car wipes.

3) Organise your stuff while protecting your seats

Anyone who’s ever driven kids around knows how easy it is to get muddy footprints all over the backs of the front seats. Luckily, you can buy covers that hook around them and hang down, not only protecting them from little wellies but also providing compartments for teddies, books and treats.

4) Keep cup holders dirt-free

Cup holders are among the worst culprits when it comes to hiding bacteria in the car, partly because they’re so hard to clean. One trick is to put an old sock over a travel cup, spray it with window cleaner, and twist it around inside the cup holder so it shifts all the grime. Alternatively, you can prevent your cup holders from getting mucky in the first place by putting silicone baking cups inside them, which catch the dust and are easier to empty out.

5) Treat yourself to a car bin

What finer way to indulge in a little luxury than to buy a top-notch car bin? After all, you know only too well just how fast rubbish accumulates in the side pockets, the cup holders, the footwells… so don’t give yourself a chance to fall into old habits. Or you could use a plastic container, like one you’d keep in the kitchen for cereal. It’s cheap, easy to empty, and seals off smells to keep your interior rosy. Just remember to empty it when you get home!

Car Planet are experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so check out our selection of secondhand BMW 1 Series today and let’s get the ball rolling!