There is a reason that when you go to buy a used car from the dealer that it’s spotless.

There is just something appealing about sitting and riding in a detailed vehicle.

However, when the average Joe decides to try and do it at home, it is invariably a disappointment. Sure it’s cleaned up, but it just can’t match that showroom look (and smell) we strive for. You can literally spend a fortune on wet vacs and expensive cleansers and equipment. However, with a little ingenuity and a lot of elbow grease, you can get the results you crave without breaking the bank.

Try to remember to clean the inside of your car before washing the outside so that any dust or debris that becomes airborne during the cleaning won’t stick to your freshly washed and waxed vehicle.

Vacuum all of the removable carpets thoroughly, using spot treater or small amounts of water to lift and remove stains (too much water can cause mildew). If the carpet is particularly dirty, you may need to purchase some carpet shampoo to get all the dirt and smell out. Use a stiff brush and approved cleansers or shampoos to cleanse the car mats as they take the brunt of the abuse and generally need the most attention. Leave them outside to dry thoroughly.

Next use an air compressor to blow air into hard to reach places to blast lint and dust out, then vacuum interior carpets.

Using small circular motions, clean your upholstery with an approved cleanser and medium-strength brush. Some areas may require two or three passes to completely lift the grime and dirt. Leave the doors and windows open so the upholstery and carpet can dry thoroughly. If you have leather or vinyl seats, you will need to purchase special cleanser and conditioner to achieve the best results.

One of the areas usually neglected by most people are the hard-to-reach areas such as little cracks, crevices and indentations. Using soapy water, you may employ small tools such as cotton swabs, toothbrushes, toothpicks and even a plastic knife covered with cloth to get deep into hard-to-reach spots. Remember, is that attention to detail that gives a car that fresh from the factory look. Even washing the door jambs with soapy water and drying them thoroughly is important when detailing a vehicle.

Instead of spraying your console, put the cleaning solution on your various tools, cleaning all the controls, knobs and buttons that way. Don’t forget about the steering column when cleaning the steering wheel itself.

If you choose to use household glass cleanser, spray the cleanser onto the rag first so you avoid over spraying, which can crack or damage parts of the interior. Use window cleaner that isn’t ammonia-based as the ammonia can stain and discolor plastic and rubber surfaces. An old pillowcase is a great to way wipe the windows clean as it leaves little to no lint.

One of the most important things to remember is that there are no shortcuts when detailing a car. The more time and effort you put in, the better your finished product is going to look. While it takes a little extra effort to do the job right, the results of your shimmering vehicle will be well worth it.