How to keep the interior of your car like brand new - if you're a dog owner

We all want that 'new car smell' however it's a sacrifice many of us make when we device to become pet owners. It does mean, we have to be creative if we want to enjoy a fresh scent whilst travelling with our furry friends.

So, to ensure your car stays fresher for longer and remains in good nick - even with your canine partner, we've put together some must-know tips to keep the interior of your car as fresh as the day you bought it.

Keep your dog (mostly) in one area

Although the dream is to keep the seats of your as new as possible, it's a high expectation, especially if your dog isn't secured properly and has free reign on the back seat.

One way to tackle this is to ensure your dog restrained while you’re driving. That’s generally going to mean either having them in the boot with a barrier or having them in the back in a crate or car harness.

Tracy Hill, Marketing Manager at Car Mats UK, leading manufacturer in car accessories added, "Having them in a boot or a crate will help to minimize the wear and tear on your car seats. With that said, if your dog likes being in a car harness in the back seat, dealing with a bit of mess is a small price to pay to keep them happy."

In general, if you’re parked up for any length of time, your dog will be out of the car. This means that your dog should only be given the full run of your car if you're parked up for any length of time with them in it. This is probably going to be a very small percentage of the overall time they’re in the car.

Prepare your car

You can make your life a lot easier by putting a cover in your dog’s main area. There are lots of specialist covers you can buy. If you’re really concerned about odours then an odour mat could be a good investment.

Otherwise, just use anything that’s comfortable and has a decent amount of grip. Waterproof picnic blankets can be great. Regular blankets are perfectly fine but will need to be washed regularly.

For extra protection, have spare covers for if/when your dog gets into other areas of the car. It’s also handy to have some towels. They’re useful for cleaning off wet mud quickly. You’ll also need some bags to store them in once they’ve been used.

It’s also a good idea to have something you can use to deal with any accidents. Healthy adult dogs are unlikely to have them. Even so, it’s better to be prepared and not need your supplies than to find yourself wishing that you’d brought them after all. Babies’ nappies are great for this and there are plenty of other options.

Consider using ramps

If your dog is big enough to get in and out of the car by him-/herself, then you might want to invest in a ramp. When they are younger, this helps to avoid potential damage to your car as they jump up. As they get older, it’s easier on their joints than jumping. Even when they’re younger, going up and down a ramp is safer than jumping.

Brush your dog before you go

If your dog sheds at all, then they’re going to shed in the car and you just have to deal with that. You can, however, minimize the amount of work you have to do by giving your dog a thorough brush before you set off. If you’re going away on a longer trip, take a brush with you so you can repeat as necessary.

If you’re taking your dog somewhere you anticipate they’re going to get a bit smelly, then think about bringing dry and/or regular dog shampoo. You can also get cordless hairdryers and dog-friendly hairdryers. Admittedly not all dogs will take to these but if yours does, it’s certainly worth considering. If they don’t then microfibre towels hold a lot of water for their size.

You might even consider keeping a stock of these in your vehicle (although remember a cordless hair dryer will need to be charged). That way they’ll always be there if you need them.

Keep your dog comfortable

This may seem like an odd tip but there’s logic to it. If your dog is comfortable, they will probably relax and maybe even sleep. If, by contrast, they are uncomfortable, they will be more likely to be sick and/or have an accident.

There is lots of online guidance about how to drive safely and comfortably with dogs. Most of it, however, essentially boils down to common sense. Restrain your dog in the car, drive carefully, park safely, take regular breaks and make sure your dog has water and maybe food and toys. If you do all that, there’s an excellent chance your dog will just curl up and enjoy the trip.

Invest in a decent handheld vacuum cleaner

Handheld vacuum cleaners vary widely in their power. Some are really only suitable for sucking up crumbs. The better ones, however, will deal capably with dog hair. In fact, being able to cope with dog hair is a major selling point for higher-end vacuum cleaners.

Ideally, you’ll vacuum away the hair immediately after your dog comes out of the car. In the real world, however, that isn’t always possible. Just do it as quickly as you can. The quicker you can remove hair, the easier it will be to contain the odour.

If you really want to make sure that every last hair is removed, then follow up with a lint roller. These can also be used for your main clean if you’re away from home and can’t access your vacuum cleaner. Just be aware that it will be a lot more work and you’ll need plenty of refills.

Banish odours with bicarbonate of soda and steam

The easy way to deal with doggy odours is to sprinkle your car liberally with bicarbonate of soda. Leave this for at least a few hours (ideally overnight or a full day) and then vacuum away. Bicarbonate of soda is renowned for its ability to absorb odours. That means, when it is removed, most, if not all of the smell will go with it.

For a deep-down, odour-busting clean, use a steam cleaner. It’s best to use one intended for household cleaning. In a pinch, you can use one intended for refreshing clothes. This will probably take you a lot longer so it’s best to keep it as a backup plan. Steam is probably the ultimate cleaner. It really does remove the stubbornest dirt and odours.