Your vehicle is your home on the road, and it deserves as much care and attention as any part of your house. Regularly cleaning your Lexus may improve performance and help you spot developing issues, and while it’s always fun to drive a Lexus, you’ll find your pleasure increases in a pristine ride. Follow our expert tips to detail your Lexus inside and out.
Essential Tools and Products for Cleaning Your Lexus
Stock up on a car cleaning kit that has all the essentials for detailing your Lexus. You’ll need:
- A vacuum with an airflow brush, crevice tool, and upholstery brush attachments
- Vinegar
- Liquid dish soap
- Club soda
- A soft-bristled brush
- Microfiber cloths and towels
- A citrus-based all-purpose cleaner
- A detailing brush or sticky cleaning gel
- An ammonia-free glass cleaner
- A car sponge or car wash mitt
- A hose with spray nozzle
- A bucket
- Car wash soap
- Wheel cleaner
- An auto body solvent or cleaning clay
- Car polish
- A polishing pad
- Car wax
- A foam applicator pad
A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Lexus Interior
On average, American drivers spend an hour a day in their vehicle, and 60% eat in the car on a semi-regular basis. This can create a sticky, crumb-filled atmosphere if you’re not meticulous in your cleaning habits. Follow these steps to thoroughly clean the interior of your Lexus, and do it at least every other month, or more often if you have children or pets in the car.
Declutter and Vacuum
Before you can give your Lexus a good clean, you need to expose all the interior surfaces. This means getting rid of any trash or clutter that’s taking up space in your car. Dispose of garbage and set aside any items that you plan to keep in your vehicle, such as tissues, emergency roadside supplies, or first aid kits. You can replace these items neatly when you’ve finished the interior cleaning.
Vacuum the carpeting using an airflow brush attachment, which looks like a miniature version of your vacuum head. Use a crevice tool attachment to vacuum along the edges and under or in between seats.
Clean Carpeting and Floor Mats
Remove the floor mats and clean them separately. Vacuum the carpet mats and wash rubber mats with water and dish soap.
Soak carpet stains with a mixture of equal parts vinegar, liquid dish soap, and club soda. Leave for 10 minutes, then scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Soak a rag in water and blot to rinse. Vacuum again when the carpet is dry.
Deep Clean Seats and Upholstery
Vacuum the upholstery thoroughly, running the airflow brush over the surfaces and the crevice tool along the cracks. For vinyl and cloth upholstery, use the same mixture of vinegar, club soda, and liquid dish soap to treat stains. Follow the process you used for the carpeting. If you have leather upholstery, wipe it down with a damp cloth or leather cleaner. Buff a leather conditioner into the upholstery when you’re done, following the manufacturer’s directions.
Detail the Dashboard, Console, and Trim
Use a small detailing brush, toothbrush, or sticky cleaning gel to remove dust and crumbs from tiny crevices in the car, such as the cup holders and air vents. Use a citrus-based all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth to wipe down any non-glass surfaces in the cabin. Spray the cleaner onto the rag, not the dash. Buff the surfaces with a fresh microfiber cloth.
Polish Glass, Mirrors, and Screens
Spray an ammonia-free glass cleaner on a microfiber cloth or glass-cleaning cloth. Clean the windows, mirrors, and interior screens, wiping in small circular motions to avoid a streaky finish.
Exterior Cleaning: Achieving a Showroom Shine
You should wash your Lexus every two weeks when the El Monte pollen levels are high, as this can leave a powdery film on your vehicle. Clean your car in a shady spot away from direct sunlight and apply wax or take your car in for professional detailing every six months.
Rinse and Wash
Begin with an all-over rinse and scrub. Spray down the car with a hose and spray attachment to remove dust, pollen, salt, and other loose debris. Mix car wash soap and water in a bucket following the manufacturer’s directions. Fill a second bucket with water. Scrub your vehicle thoroughly using a car wash sponge. Rinse your sponge in the second bucket before getting more soap.
Use a microfiber towel and specially formulated wheel cleaner on the wheels. Rinse the soap from all exterior surfaces and buff dry with a fresh microfiber cloth.
Clean Windows and Windshields
Wash the windshields and windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Work in horizontal rows, then go over the window again vertically. Wipe down the wiper blades and replace them if you notice cracks or damage.
Remove Imperfections: Address Bugs, Tar, and More
Using a clean microfiber cloth, apply an auto body solvent to spot treat stains such as baked-on bugs, tar, or tree sap. Alternatively, you can rub cleaning clay onto these spots to work away the grime. Polish away remaining residue with a microfiber cloth and additional car soap as needed. Rinse and dry.
Polish to a Shine
Add a small amount of car polish to a polishing pad. Apply to your Lexus’s body in circular motions, one section at a time, and work from the top down. Follow the manufacturer’s directions to allow the polish to dry. Finally, buff the car with a clean microfiber towel to get a pristine shine.
Apply Protective Wax
Put a small amount of car wax on a foam applicator pad. Apply to the surface of the vehicle in a circular motion. Buff the wax off with a microfiber towel, wiping down the car in back-and-forth swipes.
Find Your Next Lexus at Longo Lexus
With the right Lexus, you’ll enjoy a refined ride every time you hit the road. If it’s time to upgrade your vehicle, come and explore our showroom at Longo Lexus in El Monte. We can also help you keep up with maintenance and repairs to extend the lifespan of the Lexus you love.
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