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Original poster

Car hoover?? Any other tips or products I need for a DISGUSTING interior???

36 replies

FusionChefGeoff · 08/02/2026 17:22

Despite my kids allegedly being out of the messy stage (11 and 13) I’ve just had a disgusting afternoon on my hands and knees cleaning out our car.

Everyone plays outdoor sports so we treat our car as an equipment truck / mud machine rather than a pleasant mode of transport but it’s really gone beyond this time.

After 3 hours, 3 charges on my poor Samsung cordless AND snapping the crevice tool Angry I am happy to throw money at this problem and invest in anything that will make it easier to maintain.

And yes I know there are valet companies etc but I’m after the DIY version please. Mainly due to the shame of one time I did take it and was told off with a shake of the head and in broken English that ‘It was very very bad”

Any special hoovers in particular?! Everything sticks to the fecking Velcro inspired carpets so I ended up having to sweep it all out then scrub ineffectually with the now broken crevice tool
to pick up as much of the rest as I could.

Any other tips for a) decontaminating and b) keeping it less vile in the future?

OP posts:
MetallicMushroom · 08/02/2026 17:34

Watching with interest.

I've just got a new car and I'm determined to keep it nice.

I know there are custom car mats you can get that fit your specific model of car - would it be helpful to have something like that which can be removed and stuck in the washing machine?

I also have a plastic storage box in the boot with the jerry can, screenwash, de-icer in it. Keeps it all from rolling around in the back. Could you have one for car stuff and one for chucking sports equipment in to keep it off the interior?

Original poster
FusionChefGeoff · 08/02/2026 17:39

It’s the actual sportspeople that make most of the mess and they’re harder to contain!!

I could use blankets actually, then maybe a big box in the boot for muddy boots / kit perhaps…

we’ve got lovely mats somewhere underneath all the mud and last time I did this I did just buy a brand new set which helped a bit but it’s still all gathering at the line between the mats and the actual car and the mats themselves are still the Velcro style.

OP posts:
sparrowhawkhere · 08/02/2026 17:41

Following for ideas. My problem is the eating a packed lunch on their way to clubs or back from
competitions. After a similar experience to you I am determined to keep on top of it!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
Original poster
FusionChefGeoff · 08/02/2026 18:04

We’re building a nice gang of people who need help at least! If no one comes along with any suggestions perhaps we should invent something!

OP posts:
SleepingisanArt · 08/02/2026 18:12

I use a Miele pet hoover (it's a powerful one from before the change in regulations). Take mats out, shake, hoover on the drive, hoover floor and then put them back. I find having the power of the plugged in hoover better than a handheld or cordless. You also (sadly) need to get into a regular routine for cleaning - it might need to be once a week in the winter but a lot less in the better weather. A car valet guy I know has a customer who puts plastic under the mats so that all the carpet is covered and the carpet under the mat remains clean...

tinaabbot · 08/02/2026 18:48

I spent a euro for 5 minutes of the hoover at a garage today and I was really impressed with it. Yes I could have spent 10 minutes and it would have been spotless, but 5 minutes got rid of all the crumbs and mud (I’m in Ireland, it was a CircleK service station)

Summersongroses · 08/02/2026 18:51

I always use the vacuum at the garage. It seems to be very powerful has a crevice tool already attached for getting in the gaps by the side of the seats, and it’s only £1.50. I also tend to run it through the on site car wash after for £6 and job done! Unfortunately I live in a terrace street so it’s hard to get my car outside my house to vacuum it but when I can my very old school
Vintage Dyson is excellent. (New Dyson nowhere near as powerful).

Dontbeatwat · 08/02/2026 19:19

You need a corded vacuum. I speak from much experience here! (3 kids, rural living and LOTS of mud). Cordless vacuums are absolutely no good for the car. The best suction corded vac (imo) is the Miele Pet one but it's pricey - Henry is a good second and much cheaper. You can get the whole car done without having to recharge and use the crevice tools to get in all the nooks and crannies. I also agree with a poster upthread about keeping on top of it - it really needs to be done weekly and then it's manageable.

ToriMounj · 08/02/2026 19:24

Just take it to the valet, and tell him your brother borrowed it and gave it back in a state

Beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep · 08/02/2026 19:26

👀

twohotwaterbottles · 08/02/2026 19:27

I have the same problem. I strip the mats out of the car and flat vac them inside my house with the normal hoover. That's better. Then tackle what was underneath. Kids huh 😂

GreenBananaSmoothie · 08/02/2026 19:35

Feel your pain re the valet service

I took my car to be serviced and they valeted it too, I had hoovered out fairly recently but the teenage apprentice on the valet service went ON AND ON about how disgusting it had apparently been. (It wasn't even much cleaner when I got it back).

I have no tips really, just solidarity. I try to hoover more or less weekly otherwise the hoover can't quite cope.

Original poster
FusionChefGeoff · 08/02/2026 22:30

We don’t own a corded hoover alas - not sure I want to get one specifically for the car unless it’s very compact.

Will check out local garages for hoovers and see if I can build it into my week somehow

OP posts:
namechange46774337 · 08/02/2026 22:48

My OH uses an industrial style karcher hoover (requires a plug)
Can you get some rubber mats for the floor that are easier to wipe? There are companies that do really nice custom size ones….i’ll try to find the link. I had these and a seat cover that could get chucked in the washing machine when I used to work on a farm.
Also my OH puts down paper mats that garages use? They come in packs of hundreds and you can then just bin and replace on a weekly basis for very little £. Anyone getting in my car knows to at least try to keep feet on the paper…it massively cuts down on cleaning.

namechange46774337 · 08/02/2026 22:52

Carmats4u.com is the one I’ve bought rubber mats from previously. They weren’t like the awful ones you would see in an old van.

HeddaGarbled · 08/02/2026 22:54

We swapped the carpet-style mats for rubber mats. You can get model specific ones (so exactly the right size) from Amazon.

namechange46774337 · 08/02/2026 22:55

https://ebay.us/m/Oz9P4F paper mats - could probably get them much cheaper from a local auto smart rep

littlebilliie · 08/02/2026 22:57

I would also recommend silica bags to dehumidify the car. The endless mud and wet clothing will make your car damp. The reusable ones on amazon are great and change colour when full of water

Sunshineandrainbow · 08/02/2026 23:00

I bring my mats indoors and use my beloved upright sebo on them. They come up like new.

Original poster
FusionChefGeoff · 08/02/2026 23:02

This is all excellent - dehumidifier is a great shout.

Ive just bitten the bullet and got a mini hoover that plugs into the 12v charger. That way I can have it in the car and use the 10 mins or so I’m waiting at school to give it a quick once over. I’ll report back if it’s any good.

will also look at the custom rubber mats

OP posts:
MeganM3 · 08/02/2026 23:08

I did not know that there’s a vacuum at the garage?! Where? Is it part of the same machine where you can pump your tyres? How handy.

My cordless Dyson is absolutely rubbish and gets rid of about 5% of the mud/crumbs/dust. Waste of time. And I also find that when I take it in for a clean, I pay about £35 for inside and out and the inside is not that clean, still plenty of dust in the harder to reach places.

Sunshineandrainbow · 08/02/2026 23:18

MeganM3 · 08/02/2026 23:08

I did not know that there’s a vacuum at the garage?! Where? Is it part of the same machine where you can pump your tyres? How handy.

My cordless Dyson is absolutely rubbish and gets rid of about 5% of the mud/crumbs/dust. Waste of time. And I also find that when I take it in for a clean, I pay about £35 for inside and out and the inside is not that clean, still plenty of dust in the harder to reach places.

We have one at Morrisons and it's next to the tyre air machine.

TheDayBeforeYouCame · 08/02/2026 23:23

Rubber mats are definitely the answer - my car does all the outdoor/muddy stuff and we have removed the original mats and replaced with rubber ones and added a rubber boot liner. Old towels on the seats when people are particularly filthy, boxes in boot for towels and boots, carrier bag for rubbish. it stays reasonable and its easy to clean.

EscapedTurkey · 08/02/2026 23:37

FusionChefGeoff · 08/02/2026 23:02

This is all excellent - dehumidifier is a great shout.

Ive just bitten the bullet and got a mini hoover that plugs into the 12v charger. That way I can have it in the car and use the 10 mins or so I’m waiting at school to give it a quick once over. I’ll report back if it’s any good.

will also look at the custom rubber mats

Which hoover did you go for @FusionChefGeoff?

OP posts: