Car care guide · 2026

How to Clean a Car Interior With Wipes, the right way.

Work from top to bottom: dashboard and vents first, then the steering wheel, controls and door panels, then seats and lower trim. Use an interior wipe on dashboards, leather and trim, and a dedicated screen wipe on touchscreens. Test any new wipe on a small hidden area first.

Updated October 20266 min readBy Lívia Schlemmer
Wipex Lavender AutoWipes canister in a car cupholder Gentle on dashboards, leather and trim

Two wipes. Done.

A clean car interior comes down to the right wipe on the right surface, in the right order.

1

One wipe for the cabin

Lavender AutoWipes for dashboards, door panels, consoles, leather and trim.

2

One wipe for screens

Touchscreen Wipes, compatible with most touchscreens.

↓

Top to bottom

Dashboard first, seats and lower trim last, screens at the very end.

✓

Patch test once

Try any new wipe on a small hidden area before you clean the whole cabin.

1 The cabin map

Every spot. The right wipe.

Tap a spot in the car to see which wipe to use and how to clean it.

Use: Lavender AutoWipes

Dashboard and vents

  • Start here, at the top of the cabin.
  • Work in sections from the driver side to the passenger side.
  • Fold the wipe to reach between vent slats.
See AutoWipes →
Use: Lavender AutoWipes

Steering wheel and controls

  • Wipe the wheel, shifter, turn signals and buttons, the spots hands touch most.
  • Use a fresh wipe once the first one looks dirty.
See AutoWipes →
Use: Touchscreen Wipes

Touchscreen and display

  • Clean the screen last so dust from other surfaces does not land on it.
  • Touchscreen Wipes are compatible with most touchscreens and streak-free on touchscreens and consoles.
  • Wipe gently, let it dry, and check your manufacturer's screen-care guidance.
See Touchscreen Wipes →
Use: Lavender AutoWipes

Center console and cupholders

  • Lift out loose items, then wipe the console lid, trays and cupholders.
  • Keep the canister here: the cone shape fits most cupholders, so wipes stay within reach.
See AutoWipes →
Use: Lavender AutoWipes

Door panels and trim

  • Wipe the armrests, handles and door pockets.
  • Follow the grain of textured trim.
See AutoWipes →
Use: Lavender AutoWipes

Leather seats

  • AutoWipes are gentle on leather and trim.
  • Test on a small hidden area first, especially on older, coated or delicate leather.
  • Follow your vehicle manufacturer's leather care guidance.
See AutoWipes →
Use: Lavender AutoWipes

Rear seats and lower trim

  • Finish low: rear seats, seat backs and lower trim.
  • Shake out the floor mats before you start so dust does not resettle.
See AutoWipes →
2 Step by step

How to clean a car interior with wipes, in 5 steps.

Tick each step as you go.

0 of 5 done

Cabin done. Keep a canister in the cupholder for next time.

Get the car kit
3 For your business

Car care made easier for your business.

Pick your business to see a simple wipe-down routine and where to keep the wipes.

Between rides

  1. Quick pass on the rear door panels and seat trim.
  2. Wipe the steering wheel, shifter and front console.
  3. Screen last with a Touchscreen Wipe.

Where to keep them

One AutoWipes canister in the front cupholder and a box of Touchscreen Wipes in the glove box.

Get the car kit →

Before every test drive and delivery

  1. Wipe the dashboard, steering wheel and controls.
  2. Touch up door panels and leather seats.
  3. Finish with the display and console.

Where to keep them

A canister at each sales desk and one in the delivery bay, so every car gets the same final touch.

Get the car kit →

End of every shift

  1. Clear trash and loose items.
  2. Wipe the wheel, controls, console and door panels.
  3. Screen last.

Add the routine to your end-of-shift checklist so every driver cleans the same way.

Where to keep them

One canister per vehicle, in the cupholder, so the wipe-down takes seconds.

Get the car kit →

Final touch before hand-off

  1. Quick pass on the dashboard, trim and console.
  2. Clean the screen last.
  3. Walk the client through a spotless cabin.

Where to keep them

In your van, next to the rest of your kit. The large 7" × 8" wipes cover more surface per wipe.

Get the car kit →

Between rentals

  1. Remove anything left behind and shake out the mats.
  2. Wipe the dashboard, wheel, console and door panels.
  3. Finish with the display.

Where to keep them

At the return lane, so every car is wiped down before it goes back out.

Get the car kit →
4 Quick reference

Which wipe for each surface?

SurfaceWipe to useTip
Dashboard and ventsLavender AutoWipesWork in sections; fold the wipe to reach vent slats.
Steering wheel and controlsLavender AutoWipesSwitch to a fresh wipe once it looks dirty.
Leather seatsLavender AutoWipesGentle on leather and trim. Test a hidden area first.
Door panels and trimLavender AutoWipesFollow the grain of textured trim.
Touchscreen and consoleTouchscreen WipesCompatible with most touchscreens and streak-free on touchscreens and consoles.

Before you start: check your vehicle manual for cleaners to avoid on leather, coated plastics and displays, and test any new wipe on a small hidden area first.

5 The car kit

One for the cabin. One for the screen.

Everything this guide uses, in two products.

Lavender AutoWipes 40ct

For the cabin

Lavender AutoWipes 40ct

  • Large 7" × 8" wipes, 40 per canister
  • Gentle on dashboards, leather and trim
  • Cone-shaped canister fits most cupholders
  • Lavender scent

$9.99

Product details →
Touchscreen Wipes 24ct

For screens

Touchscreen Wipes 24ct

  • Compatible with most touchscreens
  • Streak-free on touchscreens and consoles
  • 24 wipes per box

$11.99 $9.99

Product details →

Cleaning, not disinfecting. AutoWipes and Touchscreen Wipes are cleaning wipes, not disinfectants. If you need to disinfect, choose an EPA-registered disinfecting wipe and follow its label directions.

Car interior cleaning, answered.

What order should I clean my car interior in?

Work from top to bottom: dashboard and vents first, then the steering wheel, controls and door panels, then seats and lower trim. Clean screens last with a dedicated screen wipe so dust from other surfaces does not land on them.

Can I clean leather car seats with wipes?

Yes, with a wipe made for car interiors. Wipex Lavender AutoWipes are gentle on leather and trim. Test on a small hidden area first, especially on older, coated or delicate leather, and follow your vehicle manufacturer's care guidance.

Can I use the same wipe on my car's touchscreen?

Use a dedicated screen wipe. Wipex Touchscreen Wipes are compatible with most touchscreens and streak-free on touchscreens and consoles. Check your manufacturer's screen-care guidance before first use.

How big are AutoWipes?

Each AutoWipe measures 7" × 8", with 40 wipes per canister. The cone-shaped canister fits most cupholders, so wipes stay within reach.

How often should I wipe down my car interior?

It depends on how you use the car. Rideshare, fleet and rental vehicles benefit from a quick wipe-down between rides or shifts; for a personal car, a quick pass whenever you notice dust or spills keeps it from building up.

Do car interior wipes disinfect?

Not all of them. Wipex AutoWipes and Touchscreen Wipes are cleaning wipes, not disinfectants. If you need to disinfect, choose an EPA-registered disinfecting wipe and follow its label directions.

Keep every cabin ready.

Lavender AutoWipes for dashboards, leather and trim. Touchscreen Wipes for screens and consoles.

Test any wipe on a small hidden area first and follow your vehicle manufacturer's care guidance. AutoWipes and Touchscreen Wipes are cleaning wipes, not disinfectants.

Lavender AutoWipes 40ct
Lavender AutoWipes 40ct
$9.99