The headlining of a vehicle is often overlooked when it comes to interior cleaning but it is important that attention is given to it as it can actually hold a large amount of dirt and contaminants. Due to the location, surface area and material that a cars headlining is usually made from, things like nicotine smoke, pet & other odours and germs from coughing and sneezing etc are all almost immediately absorbed by and held in the material of the headlining.
If any large items have been transported in your car they may have rubbed against the headlining leaving unsightly marks. A clean headlining suggests that the owner has ensured that other parts of the car have been properly cleaned and maintained throughout its life.
The headlining of your car doesn’t need cleaning too regularly unless the vehicle is or has been smoked in, in which case a regular clean may be appropriate. Once a non smoking cars headlining has been cleaned it can simply be maintained by spot cleaning it as necessary.
A proper clean of your cars headlining only needs to be undertaken approximately every 12 months, with the regular spot cleaning to maintain it at required intervals in between. When you are going to clean or maintain your headlining is it best to undertake this task first before you clean the rest of the interior as you may get some product over spray on the other surfaces and inside of the glass.
Either a designated upholstery cleaning product or a diluted all purpose cleaner should be used to clean your headlining. Clean damp micro fibre towels can be used to work the product in, then to extract any excess product/moisture out from the headlining. A water based or aerosol type air freshener product can be used to deodorize your headlining after cleaning and keep it smelling clean and fresh until the next cleaning period.