Exclusive expert advice on cleaning car seats

How to properly vacuum a car interior

Car care is not only regular visits to the car wash, but also timely maintenance of the interior. The approach in which it is cleaned only after everything is literally covered with dust and stains is fundamentally wrong. It is worth cleaning the interior not as it becomes clogged, but regularly, at certain intervals, depending on the intensity of use of the car. This will require a number of interior care products. You don’t need a professional vacuum cleaner for a car wash – buying a household model will be quite appropriate and practical. It is also worth acquiring auto chemicals, such as plastic care products (polish), upholstery care products, and fragrances. If there is smoking in the cabin, then anti-tobacco is needed. One of the most labor-intensive processes is removing dust from the car.

Construction vacuum cleaner from an old household one

If you constantly deal with technology, the design features and operating principles become clear.

And if necessary, you will no longer spend money on a branded construction vacuum cleaner, but in a couple of evenings you will make a device whose characteristics are not inferior to the popular “cleaner”.

This is what the author of the construction model, based on the failed Whirlwind vacuum cleaner, did. We invite you to get acquainted with the manufacturing process of a construction vacuum cleaner.

When making a homemade product, you should take into account the characteristics of the room and some nuances of the selection and fastening of individual structural elements. The following are useful guidelines for assembling a vacuum cleaner.

What will be needed for the remodel?

Literally all the products involved in the modernization have already been used and therefore do not require acquisition costs. If you don’t have any parts on hand, you can buy them for pennies on an online sales site or find them in a landfill.

True, it is still recommended to use a new filter - for high-quality operation of the vacuum cleaner, and also to buy some little things: a socket, parts for the electrical board, wires, fasteners.

The total cost of purchasing new parts was 800 rubles, and the most expensive element was the socket - 350 rubles. Parts for the board cost 250 rubles, the filter – 200 rubles.

In addition to the listed parts, you will need a socket, a piece of rubber car mat for laying, and a tool for the job:

• drill with a set of crowns and drills;
• screwdriver;
• jigsaw;
• pencil with ruler, compass.

The fastening elements will be not only self-tapping screws, but also bolts, so to tighten the nuts you will need wrenches of the required size. To connect individual elements - switch, electronic board and network cable - you need to draw a diagram in advance.

In order for the improvement of an old device to please you with a successful result, you need to know how a vacuum cleaner works. This way it will be clearer to the home craftsman what he is upgrading and for what purpose.

Step-by-step manufacturing instructions

When all the parts of the future unit and tools are prepared, you can begin assembly. But first you need to comply with safety standards - wear special clothing and work gloves.

1. Step 1 - installation of the outlet . Using a bit with a diameter of 42 mm, we drill a hole in the upper part of the lid. Between the socket and the body we place a rubber gasket cut from a car mat. For fastening we use self-tapping screws.
2. Step 2 - installation of the electrical circuit . On the lid we drill small holes for the toggle switch and for attaching the circuit. The board should not touch the body, so we install it on stands cut from a fountain pen.
3. Step 3 – attaching the toggle switch . As a result, a switch and socket for power tools must be installed on the outside of the cover, and an electronic board on the inside.
4. Step 4 – connecting the power cable . It is better to solder the cable, with two wires going to the switch, and the third grounding wire goes to a large mounting screw, to which the “ground” from the socket is already connected. This is necessary to ground the device.
5. Step 5 – fixing the filter . We cut 95 mm holes in the bottom of the dust collector and in the lid of the tank, drill holes for screws around the circumference, cut out a plug from plywood, and tighten all the parts with screws. We fix the filter with a pin on the bar.
6. Step 6 - installation of the suction pipe . Use a 57 mm bit to drill a hole in the top of the tank. We insert into it a pre-assembled pipe with a flange, which can be constructed from a piece of sewer pipe.
7. Step 7 – assembling the vacuum cleaner . We install a waste collection tank and close it with a lid so that the filter is inside. Then we attach part of the old vacuum cleaner with the motor and tighten it with a metal clamp.
8. Step 8 - connecting the hose . Instead of a hose, you can use a plumbing corrugated pipe. We insert it into the connecting pipe, then turn on the unit. Testing can be done by removing sand or sawdust.

Why vacuum the interior and how to do it?

First of all, you should think about the aesthetic appearance of the inside of the car. Dust-covered panels, seats, and floors do not add to the attractiveness of the car. Driving such a car is not as pleasant as a clean one. Secondly, it is worth remembering about your health - dust can cause coughing and even allergies. You don’t have to vacuum it yourself - just go to a service center that has a vacuum cleaner for a car wash - buying a package of services for cleaning your car, including dust removal, is not as expensive as it might seem.

If you decide to do this yourself, you must first remove all large debris from the car, and then get down to business by picking up a vacuum cleaner. Everything will take no more than forty minutes with concentrated and careful work, and you will also have time to clean the trunk of the car. The investment will pay for itself over time - you will feel more comfortable in a car that is clean from the inside.

Car vacuum cleaner power type

1. Vacuum cleaners can be powered according to three schemes:
2. Cordless vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner operates from the on-board power supply and is plugged into an outlet or cigarette lighter on board the car.
3. Combined food type. The most expensive and best option.

A cordless vacuum cleaner can work for no more than 20-25 minutes before requiring charging. The network device will always be tied to a car socket or cigarette lighter, and a power cord that is too long will create additional voltage losses. A combined type of power supply can provide both options, therefore, the operating time is practically unlimited.

How to easily clean the carpet in a car from sand?

Drivers know firsthand: the flooring in modern cars is fleecy, and it is constantly covered in sand, dust, and ash spills into it. And if you don’t periodically clean up the car, will all this get ingrained into the coating over the years of using the car? How to clean the carpet in a car?

If you haven't vacuumed your car for a long time, you will encounter this problem. Then you will need more time to restore order than those who regularly vacuum the interior of their “swallow”. And you can’t do it with just a vacuum cleaner.

There are many ways to clean carpet. Experienced drivers advise taking a household foam sponge, which is available in any home. The main thing is that it is wet. But before that, be sure to vacuum the floor of the car, thoroughly, paying attention to the entire floor covering. This will at least allow you to collect sand and dust that are scattered on the surface and have not yet been eaten away.

And then we take a damp sponge and start rubbing. Thus, the foam softens sand and dust and wipes away homogeneous dirt. Rub better and you will be surprised how effective it is. You can also use a household carpet cleaner, drop it on a sponge and scrub thoroughly. You will immediately see how much cleaner your car has become.

Functionality of the device and type of dust collector

Like any compact device, a car vacuum cleaner should have several functions. Even if it costs a little more, a vacuum cleaner with a compressor looks much more attractive. There is only one engine, but two functions, and very important ones at that. But this does not apply to cleaning. A wet vacuum cleaner is a real boon for car cleaners. A washing vacuum cleaner can handle any dirt, even old dirt and even winter dirt. As an option, you can consider a wet cleaning device with a water filter.

Container and bag are the two main types of dust collector. Limited power does not allow the use of vortex systems, but the cyclone system is used in expensive models. Bags are not as convenient as containers, but such a vacuum cleaner is slightly cheaper. The container is easier to clean, easier to dismantle and can be larger than a vacuum cleaner with a dust bag.

Attachments for a car vacuum cleaner are a separate article in terms of configuration and functionality. The more attachments, the wider the range of work performed by the vacuum cleaner. There are nozzles for smooth surfaces, for fleecy ones, as well as turbo brushes for difficult surfaces. The Makita BVC350Z vacuum cleaner will cost 19 thousand rubles, but in terms of technical parameters it is practically no different from less expensive battery-powered models costing 5-8 thousand rubles.

Whether a vacuum cleaner is needed in a car, each owner will decide for himself the next time he carries out wet cleaning. But the fact that a good vacuum cleaner will significantly speed up the cleaning process and improve its quality is undeniable. For a clean car, clean roads and good luck to everyone behind the wheel!

What you need to clean the interior

We have compiled a list of things and products that will be useful for cleaning a car dealership:

• Vacuum cleaner;
• A couple of rags, incl. microfiber;
• Compressed air cylinder (if necessary);
• Hard brush;
• Medium hard brush;
• Soft sponge;
• Container with water;
• Ceiling cleaner;
• Plastic cleaner;
• Seat cleaner (for leather or fabric);
• Glass cleaning composition;
• Floor cleaner;
• Stain remover/soap/dishwashing liquid/washing powder (for fabric interior);
• Soft wipes for the instrument panel;
• Polish;
• Hairdryer;
• Cream (for leather interior)

Prepare the things on the list, set aside 2-3 hours of free time - and your car will shine!

Preparation

Throw away the trash. Papers, bags, advertising brochures, bottles, old newspapers should not interfere with cleaning the car interior.

Remove the floor mats from the car. Shake rubber ones out immediately and wash them afterwards. Clean fabric ones with a stiff brush, then vacuum. Next, set the mats aside in a clean, dry place and begin cleaning.

We start cleaning the interior from the top. To begin with, vacuum. If somewhere the dirt does not want to leave the heated place, use a compressed air cylinder. These cans are used to clean keyboards, processors and other computer components.

Next, move on to the areas: ceiling, seat upholstery (covers), doors, floor, plastic. Each zone is cleaned separately; dirt from the ceiling is not smeared onto the seats and vice versa.

Ceiling

Wash the car ceiling completely at once. If you wash in parts, streaks will remain.

Apply a cleaner to the ceiling to loosen the stains. Wait 10 minutes and remove dirt with a dry microfiber cloth. You should not use a vacuum cleaner - the ceiling may simply peel off.

You cannot wash the ceiling with powder! It will eat into the fabric if it is not rinsed thoroughly. Particles of powder will remain in the upholstery and turn yellow. In addition, there will be a smell that will intensify in the heat.

While the ceiling is drying, work on the plastic.

Power

Before choosing a vacuum cleaner for your car, you should pay attention to one of the main criteria - the power of the device. This is a very important indicator. Incorrectly selected power will not allow you to properly clean the car interior, and the process will only leave an unpleasant impression.

On store shelves you can find a wide variety of models, whose power can range from 40 to 180 W. The higher this indicator, the better and faster the unit will cope with its task. But you shouldn’t strive to purchase the “bigger” option. You just need to focus on your own needs.

For light hygienic cleaning once a week, a model with a power of 75–80 W is sufficient. If your car has a fairly large interior area, which also gets dirty regularly, then you need to choose a powerful vacuum cleaner for your car. But be prepared for the fact that the greater the power of the car vacuum cleaner, the larger its dimensions.