Interior car cleaning: why it takes 1 to 2 hours

Some car washes promise a 'complete' interior in minutes. In reality, professional interior cleaning takes 1 to 2 hours depending on dirt. Here's what happens during that time.

1. Full vacuuming

Cabin, trunk, under the seats, between crevices, seat rails, door pockets. Seats are moved and mats come out. This is the foundation: nothing can be cleaned properly until loose debris is removed.

2. Shampoo extraction of mats and seats

Hot-water extraction removes salt, sand and stains embedded in fibres. It's the longest step, but it's the one that makes the real visual — and olfactory — difference.

3. Leather treatment

Leather is cleaned with a dedicated product, then nourished with conditioner to prevent cracking. Leather that's cleaned but not conditioned dries out and ages faster.

4. Surfaces and details

Dashboard, centre console, screens, air vents, door sills, seals: each zone gets its own brush or cloth. Interior glass is cleaned last for a streak-free finish.

Why not faster?

Every step needs dwell time: products must act, extraction is done section by section, and drying of treated areas is monitored. Cutting corners is exactly what produces an 'okay' result instead of an impeccable one.

What does it cost?

At Chic Lave-Auto, interior cleaning starts at $100, and the interior + exterior package at $200 (1 to 2 hours depending on dirt). We're at DIX30 in Brossard, by appointment. Details on /en/interior-car-cleaning.