Preparing your car's interior for summer

If your car has been on the road all winter, chances are it's in pretty bad shape right now: salt and snow have probably gotten in, and you probably share your daily commute with a shovel and a gallon of window cleaner.

The first thing to do when spring arrives is to get rid of these items: from the traction aids to the salt bag to the emergency shovel and jumper cables, send it all back to the garage. Also, take a moment to make sure you have the emergency equipment for the summer: first aid kit, flashlight... 

Then it's time to remove the rubber mats: a quick wash with soapy water will help them stay in good condition, and they will be ready for next year.

You can also clean the bottom of your car; even if you had good floor mats, taking a little time to sweep through the gaps can remove a lot of grit and crumbs that may have gotten stuck here and there. If you're so inclined, shampooing your carpet can restore its luster. If you didn't have rubber mats, it's much more important to soap your original mats; otherwise, they will be damaged by salt.

If you have leather seats, a small spring treatment is recommended: simply buy a protective cream for this material and rub the surfaces thoroughly.

Then, just give the dashboard a quick wipe down to dust it off, clean the windows (don't use household products; they can cause reflections on the glass. Use automotive products instead), and put on a CD of good music. It's time to enjoy the ride!