Interior detailing is the deep cleaning of everything inside your car: seats, carpets, door panels, dashboard, vents, glass, and trim. It goes well past a quick vacuum. A proper service resets the cabin to something close to how it looked new, and it deals with the grime you stop noticing because you sit in it every day.
Here is what a full interior service should cover.
Vacuum and debris removal
The detailer starts by clearing loose dirt from seats, floor mats, carpets, the trunk, and the tight seams between seats and console. On winter cars in Montreal this stage alone pulls out a surprising amount of road grit and dried salt.
Shampoo and steam of seats and carpets
Cloth seats and carpets hold stains and odor deep in the fibers. A detailer uses hot water extraction or steam to lift coffee, salt lines, mud, and pet hair, then extracts the moisture so nothing stays damp. Steam also sanitizes without soaking the padding underneath.
Leather cleaning and conditioning
Leather and vinyl seats get a dedicated cleaner to lift body oils and dirt from the grain, followed by a conditioner. Conditioning matters here: Quebec winters swing from dry heated cabins to freezing cold, and untreated leather cracks over time.
Plastics, vents, and touch points
Dashboards, door cards, the center console, and steering wheel are cleaned and dressed to a natural finish, not a greasy shine. Air vents, buttons, and cup holders get detailed with brushes because that is where dust and crumbs collect.
Glass and mirrors
Interior glass gets a streak-free clean, including the inside of the windshield where a hazy film builds up and scatters light at night.
Odor treatment
Once surfaces are clean, the source of most smells is gone. A good detailer finishes with a neutralizing treatment rather than masking the smell with fragrance.
Interior only, or the full job?
If your paint also needs attention, compare interior vs full detail before booking, and see what a full detail includes. Wondering about timing? Read how often to detail your car.
LuxWash is a technology platform that connects you with vetted, independent detailers who come to you. As an alternative to the drive-through car wash, mobile interior detailing brings the work to your driveway. Join the early-access waitlist, coming first to Montréal.