How to Deep Clean Door Panels and Interior Trim (Mar 2026)

Never, ever clean your interior in the direct sun. If the plastic is hot to the touch, your cleaner will dry instantly and leave spots. Total nightmare to get off.

Empty the door pockets. You'll probably find three old maccas receipts, a spare mask from 2021, and about $4.50 in loose change.

Give the whole panel a quick vacuum. Focus on the bottom pockets and the speaker grilles. Getting the loose dust off now stops you from just wiping mud around later.

I learned this the hard way on an old European car where the 'soft touch' plastic just melted when I hit it with cleaner. Test a tiny spot at the very bottom of the door first.

Don't soak the door. Mist your APC onto your brush or a microfibre cloth first, rather than spraying the panel directly. This stops overspray from getting on the glass or dripping into the window switches.

Use your soft brush in circular motions. Most door panels have a grain to them that holds onto dirt. The brush gets into those 'valleys' better than a cloth ever will.

This is where the skin oils and sunscreen live. If it's leather, use a dedicated leather cleaner. If it's vinyl, give it a bit more elbow grease with the brush. You'll see the lather turn brown, that's the satisfying part.

Before the cleaner dries, wipe it away with a clean, dry microfibre. I usually flip the cloth to a fresh side for every section.

Be careful here. Use a slightly damp Q-tip or a dry brush for the window and lock buttons. You don't want liquid seeping into the electronics. If they're really sticky (kids and juice boxes, eh?), a tiny bit of steam on a cloth works wonders.

While the door is open, wipe down the painted metal frame and the rubber seals. Use a separate, dirtier cloth for this. It makes a huge difference to the overall feel of the car.

Those black marks from people's boots on the bottom of the door? Usually a damp microfibre takes them off. If they're stubborn, a Magic Eraser works, but go VERY gently. If you scrub too hard, you'll rub the texture right off the plastic and leave a shiny bald spot.

Don't spray liquid into speakers! Use a dry brush to flick dust out, while holding the vacuum nozzle nearby to suck it up.

Once the panel is clean and bone dry, apply your UV protectant. Spread it evenly with an applicator pad. I prefer a matte or satin finish, high gloss looks cheap and reflects too much sun into your eyes while driving.