Tips for preserving your car's interiors

Lead in: Simple steps to protect your car's interiors keep them intact longer, thus reducing upholstery costs and increasing the car's resale value. Listed here are different ways of protecting your car's interiors.

The true value of a car is in its cabin. You would not want to enter a car in which the CD player is not functional or the interior is shabby or unkempt. A well-kept car always attracts attention for the right reasons. However, creating a conducive and appealing environment within a vehicle calls for consistent efforts on part of car owners.

The good news for you is that maintenance of your car's interiors is easy and cost-effective; with a few simple tips, you can not only protect them from damage, but also make a style statement.

Elucidated below are some car maintenance tips which will help you keep your interiors intact.

Cover up for protection
You should buy good quality seat covers which fit your car seats well. This protects the delicate upholstery within the car as well as adds a dash of colour to your car's interiors. You can also use other protective accessories like car mats, which cover the carpets, protecting it against spillage and regular wear and tear.

Steering in style
The steering wheel is another important part of the car, which needs to be protected. To keep your automobile cruising smoothly for a long time, keep the steering wheel well-maintained. Opting for a steering wheel cover will enable you to prevent damage to its surface. Keep a regular check on the steering fluid if your vehicle is equipped with a power steering. Besides these car maintenance tips, ensure that the steering wheel is checked at an authorised car service centre or garage regularly.

For spic and span interiors
Every penny you spend on the upkeep of the car's interiors is worth it. You should hence use quality products to clean your car. Splurge on cleaning products for dusting, scrubbing, cleaning and shampooing the car mats, seat covers dashboard and carpets. Make it a point to vacuum your car every week and use car fragrances to give the clean-up a finishing touch.

A few add-ons
Clutter can damage the upholstery of your car. Car organisers can help you avoid damage and hence make for a good purchase. Various add-ons like CD and cup holders not only make your car interior clutter-free, but also ensure that there is no damage from spillage or cuts from sharp objects. Some exterior add-ons like heat reflectors and sun films on the vehicle's windows can also prevent fading of upholstery as well as dashboard, seat covers, etc.

In addition to using the above-mentioned products, a few simple precautions go a long way in ensuring clean and comfortable car interiors:

• Avoid eating inside the car
• Always use cup holders to prevent spillage of liquids
• Keep the windows closed when going on long drives
• Refrain from having sharp objects inside the vehicle
• Take your car to a car service centre or garage regularly for check-ups

Practising these measures will not only improve your car's performance and prevent damage, but also get you a good resale value for it. Combine these tips with routine maintenance at your local car service centre or garage to keep your car's interiors intact for years.