Putting an unused car into vehicle storage frees up space in your garage. Before moving the car, clean its interior and exterior to keep it in top shape. Use this guide to prepare.

How to Clean the Car’s Interior

Even though the car will sit untouched in storage, it’s important to clean its soft surfaces to prevent odors and permanent stains. You’ll need a vacuum, rag, towel, sponge, and cleaning products designed for vinyl, carpet, and leather.

After clearing personal items and trash from the vehicle, remove the carpets and floor mats. Shake them out and use a towel to wipe off caked-on grime. Then, hose down the mats and let them air dry. Meanwhile, vacuum the carpeting throughout the interior and use smaller nozzles and brush attachments to get into small spaces. Use carpet sprays to remove stains and spots.

Seats are often made of vinyl, leather, or cloth. Wipe vinyl and leather seats with a damp rag and an appropriate cleaning product, and use a vacuum and upholstery cleaner on cloth seats. 

Wipe down the console, dashboard, and plastic parts of doors, using a rag or duster to remove spots, dust, and stains. Lastly, wipe the inside of the windows and windshield with a glass cleaner to keep them pristine.

How to Clean the Car’s Exterior

Once the interior is spotless, move on to the exterior. It’s common to use a cover when placing a car in outdoor vehicle storage, but cleaning is important to prevent dings and scratches whether or not you use a cover. You’ll need car soap, wheel cleaner, glass cleaner, and a lambskin mitt.

Start with the wheels since you don’t want dirt flying onto the car’s exterior once it’s clean. Hose them down and cover them with wheel cleaner. Use a rag or scrub brush to remove mud. 

Once the rims are sparkling, spray the entire car with water. Fill a bucket with specialized soap and water, wet the lambskin mitt with the mixture, and gently wipe the entire car. Rinse off the soap and use a terrycloth to dry the vehicle to prevent water stains.

If you need a safe spot for your car, head to CJ’s Storage in Columbia Falls, MT. This secure facility has served clients across Flathead County, including the Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and Whitefish areas, for more than 15 years. Their solutions accommodate everything from cars to RVs. Call (406) 892-1272 to discuss your needs, or learn about their vehicle storage options online.