How to Clean Your Steering Wheel Properly (And Why Yours is Probably Filthy)

Never, ever clean your interior in direct sunlight. If the leather is hot, the cleaner will flash (dry out) before it can actually lift the dirt. Plus, you’ll end up with streaks that are a nightmare to get off.

Chuck the vacuum over the steering column and behind the wheel first. There's no point cleaning the wheel if you're just going to kick up dust from the dash onto your wet surface.

Always test your cleaner on the back of the wheel first. I once had a customer bring in an old Jag where the dye just wiped right off because a previous 'pro' had used the wrong chemicals. Better safe than sorry.

Don't spray the cleaner directly onto the wheel. If you do, it'll fly everywhere, into the instrument cluster, down the stalks, and onto your pants. Spray a bit onto your soft brush instead.

I usually split the wheel into four sections (like a clock: 12 to 3, 3 to 6, etc.). Start at the top where the sun hits it hardest.

You aren't scrubbing a barbecue plate here. Let the bristles and the chemical do the work. You'll see the foam go from white to a nasty grey or brown. That's the good stuff (well, the bad stuff leaving).

This is where the real grime lives. Use the brush to really get into those threads. If the stitching is white or red and looks black, it's just dirt. Spend an extra minute here.

Use a clean microfibre to wipe away the foam before it dries. Use a 'roll and lift' motion rather than just pushing it around.

Once it dries (which should be fast), the leather should look 'flat' or matte. If there are still shiny patches, that's remaining grease. Give it another go.

Use a slightly damp (not wet) microfibre for the steering wheel controls. Don't get liquid inside the switches unless you want a very expensive trip to the sparky.

Don't forget the back of the rim and the paddle shifters if you've got 'em. Your fingers spend a lot of time back there.

Take a separate cloth with just a tiny bit of water and wipe everything down. This removes any leftover surfactants from the cleaner.

If it's leather, apply a tiny amount of leather conditioner. Look, I wouldn't bother with the cheap greasy stuff from the servo. Use something that dries touch-dry so your hands don't slip.