During the colder weather months, you probably don’t clean your car as often as you do during the warmer months.

However if you want to keep your car or truck looking great, you’ll want to take the time to make sure its interior is spotless. While a clean interior may not be as important as an oil change or a tune-up, a clean interior does improve the resale value of your vehicle.

Below are some tips to help you keep your car or truck clean whether it’s summer or winter. We’ve organized them by the type of cleaning problem.

Removing Stains

Stains are a common problem in the interiors of cars and trucks. The best thing you can do is to treat the stain as soon as you can. Use a portable wet vacuum to help wash the stain out of the interior. There are a lot of great carpet-cleaning products to help remove stains. Be sure to follow directions when using any cleaning products. Also be sure not use bleach or any harsh cleaning supplies as they may damage your vehicle’s interior.

Removing Smells

It’s sometimes difficult to get a smell out of your vehicle, especially if it’s been there for a while.  To help remove smells, sprinkle baking soda on the seats and floorboards of your vehicle. Baking soda helps to neutralize acidic smells. Allow the baking soda to sit for at least an hour. Then vacuum up the baking soda.

If the smell persists, try leaving a small bowl of cider vinegar in your car over night. The vinegar works great to eliminate smoke odors.

Removing Dust

It’s important to remove the dust that collects in your car or truck from time to time. Dust buildup can sometimes make its way into electrical components inside your vehicle and cause problems. Use a damp rag to wipe away dust that has accumulated on your car or truck’s dashboard and center console. Treat the dashboard and console with a conditioner to help protect against sun damage.