Take a look around your car’s interior the next time you get in the driver’s seat. If it looks like it needs a little refresh, but you just haven’t made the time, now’s your sign to set aside a 10-minute block to dedicate to caring for your car’s interior. Even if the 10 minutes you spend doesn’t make your vehicle look brand-new, it’s still in a better spot than it was. 

The guide below includes several 10-minute routines you can use to refresh your car interior. Once you’ve refreshed your car’s interior, it’s time to introduce a sophisticated, signature scent that puts out good vibes. A Drift luxury car freshener is your gateway to a refreshing ride every time you get behind the wheel. 

The 10-Minute Car Interior Kit: Supply List

Cleaning your vehicle may sound like a daunting task, but it only takes 10 minutes and a few key supplies to get the job done right. Before we go through five ways to refresh your vehicle in 10 minutes or less, take a look at the following supplies list. Gather these items before you start that 10-minute timer: 

• Trash bag

• Vacuum

• All-purpose cleaning solution

• Microfiber cloths

• Q-tips and toothpicks

• Soft-bristled brushes in various sizes and lengths 

• Elbow grease 

If you don’t have some of these items at home—like a vacuum or pet hair-remover—you can often find them at your local car wash or auto parts supply store. For example, many car washes offer free vacuums. Online marketplaces will also have several pet hair-removing tools to choose from. 

How to Refresh Your Car in 10 Minutes: 5 Step-by-Step Methods

Some may say that cleaning your vehicle takes the same multi-step process. However, the level of grit and grime caked around your car’s cabin heavily dictates how many steps are involved. Select one of the five scenarios below to explore the corresponding 10-minute cleaning routine. 

1. Dusty Dashboards

You don’t have to live on a dirt road for your dashboard to attract dust—and you don’t need more than 10 minutes to spritz a microfiber cloth with your all-purpose cleaner and gently wipe down surfaces. Remember to use a separate cloth for clearing electronic screens of fingerprints and dead skin cells, and spray the cleaner directly on the microfiber, not the screen. Start with high-traffic areas around the driver’s seat, then move toward the back of the car to cover every surface. 

2. Spilled Coffee

If you’re someone who eats and drinks in their vehicle, you know that a drop or two of spilled coffee can cause a musty odor that smells as bad as day-old grounds sitting in your trash. Use your all-purpose cleaner and some Q-tips, toothpicks, or soft-bristled brushes to scrub any remaining coffee from the cracks and crevices in your cupholders and center console. Check the surrounding carpeting for drips as well.

3. Sticky Console Messes

Besides coffee, the center console is also home to many other sticky messes, including discarded gum, soft drink drippings, and other once-edible items. If you have a crumb-filled center console, it’s time to add a dash of elbow grease to the mix as you use the cleaner, microfibers, and other detail components to remove all traces of your past meals. For particularly stuck-on messes, let the cleaner sit for a few minutes or dilute it with hot water to release its hold on your car’s interior. 

4. Funky Odors

Cleaning your car’s interior can help remove messes, but when you encounter a funky odor, you suddenly become a detective. When you don’t immediately clean up spills, these are your typical results. Attempt to locate the source of the odor as you clean your car, first by looking for obvious stains, then by exploring beneath seats and in cracks in the upholstery. 

5. Pet Hair

Refreshing your car’s interior when it’s filled with pet hair can seem like an impossible task, especially if you’ve let it go for quite some time. However, pro detailers have struggled with this problem for decades and have come up with some ingenious solutions like pumice stones, custom brushes, and more. Tackle the pet hair first, then work backward up this list until you’re left with a clean car.

Ways to Incorporate a Car Refresh into Routine Car Maintenance

Believe it or not, the 10 minutes you spend cleaning your vehicle using the methods above can help maintain it long-term. Starting this routine when you first get a new car can help maintain its resale value from the get-go. Even if your vehicle has a few thousand miles on it, here’s how you can integrate a 10-minute cleaning routine into your rhythm of regular car maintenance: 

• Schedule cleanings based on specific intervals: Every time you change your oil, check your tire pressure, or verify fluid levels, add 10 more minutes for a surface cleaning. 

• Maximize downtime: Take a few minutes while fueling up or going through the car wash to tidy your car’s interior. 

• Seize the season: Add a 10-minute cleaning routine to your to-do list when swapping out car-related gear for the season, whether it’s taking out the ice scraper or swapping out floor mats. 

Every now and then, a 10-minute car refresh may not get the job done properly. In these cases, it’s a good idea to call in the professionals. Quote out interior detail prices from reputable automotive detailers in your area for a deeper clean that helps promote your vehicle’s longevity. 

How Drift Car Fresheners Help Refresh Your Car Long-Term

Cleaning your vehicle regularly can help it look better, but you need a signature Drift car freshener to make it smell better. Designed to last 30 days or longer on either your driver’s or passenger’s side visor or an air vent, these luxury car fresheners are vegan, cruelty-free, and safe for use around pets and children. Choose from the following expertly curated scents: 

• Amber: Eucalyptus, golden amber, vanilla, French lavender

• Cabana: Bergamot, coconut, cedarwood, sea salt

• Grove: Juicy citrus, vanilla sugar, mountain greens, blond wood

• Open Air: Fresh air, crisp linen, morning dew, white wood 

• Pine: Mountain pine, moss, cedarwood, musk

• Teak: Cedar atlas, amber, teakwood, oakmoss

When it comes to selecting the best fragrance for your car, your vehicle, and your lifestyle, Drift car fresheners check several boxes. These deluxe car fresheners feature sustainably sourced materials—such as alder wood, organic stone, and alloy metal—infused with fragrance and essential oils. Our Wood, Stone, and Metal car fresheners are free from harsh chemicals like phthalates, parabens, DEA, and formaldehyde. 

A Fresh Start Every Time You Drive

Whether you just cleaned your car or it needs a good scrubbing, Drift signature car fresheners can help your car’s interior smell inviting and refreshing. In fact, you only need to place one in your car for 10 minutes to start reaping the benefits. If you are unsure which scent to choose or want access to exclusive scents, subscribe to the Scent of the Month Club for even more rewarding experiences.