Interior or Exterior: Where to Start Cleaning a Car
Cleaning your car regularly is extremely important. While car wash services make life easy, many car owners prefer doing it on their own. If you love your car enough to clean it yourself, you need to learn the right way to do it. An important thing to know in this regard is where to start the cleaning process. Some people would say it is best t start from the interior, while others think it is better to clean the exterior first. Let’s find out who is right.
Should a Car be Cleaned from Inside or Outside First?

The question about cleaning car interior or exterior first is very confusing for many car owners. Here is our take on the topic.
Ideally, one should wash the car exterior first and then start cleaning the interior. On the other hand, if the car interior is extremely dirty, then start cleaning it first. The exact cleaning order depends on various factors. Let’s have a look at them:
Condition of the Vehicle
Your car’s condition is crucial to determine if you should clean the car’s interior or exterior first. This depends on the level of dirtiness. Start with the grimiest part of the vehicle. Usually, it is the exterior that is affected far more than the interior. If that is the case, start with exterior cleaning, but if the interior is filthier somehow, start with that.
When the car’s interior is very filthy, it requires deep cleaning and seat removal. It’s best to start with interior cleaning first. Cleaning dirty interior first also makes sense because:
- Car seats and carpets will have ample time to dry out
- You’ll be done with the most difficult cleaning part first
- A filthy car interior may require more cleaning time than the exterior
Preference on the Car Owner

The order of car cleaning also depends on the car owner’s preference. For most people washing the car from the outside is the most effective way of getting started. But if you are someone who wants to clean the interior first – it’s entirely your choice. Here are some important things for interior car cleaning.
Why Many People Prefer Cleaning Exterior before Interior

As mentioned above, most people and car washes prefer working on the exterior cleaning first and then get started with the interior.
Reasons to Wash Car Exterior First
- Usually, your car’s exterior is dirtiest because it is exposed to grime, dust and filth on the road and air.
- When you clean the exterior first and let it dry, it usually becomes tough for dirt to enter inside your car from the outside when you start with the interior.
- Cleaning the entire body of your car starting from front to back and the wheel generally takes more time.
That is all about cleaning the car interior or exterior first. You may clean the exterior first because it’s dirtier and may require more time. However, suppose you prefer cleaning your car’s interior first or if the interior is filthy. In that case, there is nothing wrong with getting started on the interior cleaning first either.
When cleaning, use separate cleaning cloths, brushes, water, and soap mixtures on your car’s interior and exterior.
You can find a number of car cleaning items including car vacuums and other auto electronics for sale online and at different auto shops. Moreover, here is a list of automotive tools for sale in the UAE – these tools help in car maintenance.
On a completely different note, if your car is kept clean inside out but faces major mechanical issues because of its age, take a look at these used cars for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top car blog for more on car detailing, car cleaning tips, car maintenance and auto DIY solutions.