Bronco Spring Cleaning: Interior

Earlier this week, we shared recommendations and best practices from Ford for cleaning the exterior of your Bronco or Bronco Sport. Now we’re going to keep the Spring-cleaning vibes going with a look at the interior. From sparkling windows to spotless seats, there’s nothing like getting behind the wheel of a freshly cleaned Bronco. I’ve said it before, but I am convinced my vehicle drives better when I have it clean and organized inside. Not to mention that regular cleaning will keep that Bronco looking great for many years to come.

Now that Spring has officially sprung (March 20), it’s the perfect time to clear out the winter grime and get your Bronco ready for those springtime off-road adventures. Ford recommends best practices and products to protect your Bronco interior in the owner’s manual. We’ve recapped them here to help make it easy for you to get that spring cleaning started.

Materials and Products to Use

If you’re cleaning out your Bronco at home by hand, here are some essential items you’ll want to gather before starting to clean the interior.

• Vacuum and attachments
• Microfiber and cloth towels
• Cloth or leather cleaner, depending on your upholstery
• Spot and stain remover
• Plastic and vinyl cleaner
• Ammonia-free glass cleaner

For best results, Ford recommends using the following products (or products of equivalent quality) to achieve optimal interior cleaning. For additional information and assistance about any of the vehicle care products or best practices below, we recommend that you contact an authorized Bronco dealer.

AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT BLING SAUCE!

This line of interior and exterior care products is very popular with Bronco Nation members. From the Leather Sauce™ and Wheel Sauce™ to the Topless Sauce™ and Trim Sauce™, these easy-to-use sprays can help keep your Bronco looking awesome on and off the trails. Find your sauce now in the Bronco Nation gear store. (And remember, you’ll save 10% with your everyday member discount!)

CLEANING WINDOWS AND WIPER BLADES
When cleaning the windows and wiper blades, do not use chemicals or corrosive products, as they can compromise surfaces and damage critical systems of your vehicle.

• Clean the windshield with a non-abrasive glass cleaner only.
  • Note: When cleaning the interior of the windshield, avoid getting any glass cleaner on the instrument panel or door panels. Wipe any glass cleaner off these surfaces immediately.
• Clean the wiper blades with washer fluid or water applied with a soft sponge or cloth.
  • Note: Do not use razor blades or other sharp objects to clean or remove decals from the inside of the heated rear window. This can cause damage not covered by the vehicle Warranty.

CLEANING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Ford recommends that you should only clean the instrument panel and cluster lens with a damp soft cloth. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

• Do not use chemical solvents or strong detergents when cleaning the steering wheel or instrument panel to avoid contamination of the airbag system.
• Avoid cleaners or polishes that increase the gloss of the upper portion of the instrument panel. The dull finish in this area helps protect you from undesirable windshield reflection.

CLEANING PLASTIC

Ford recommends that you only use a mild soap and water solution on a soft cloth. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

• Note: Do not allow air fresheners and hand sanitizers to spill onto interior surfaces. If a spill occurs, wipe off immediately. Your warranty may not cover these damages.

CLEANING DISPLAYS AND SCREENS

Ford recommends that you only use a microfiber cloth in a circular motion to clean off the fingerprints or dust.

A Few Important Notes:

• Do not pour or spray alcohol onto the touchscreen.
• Do not use detergent or any type of solvent to clean the touchscreen.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

CLEANING FABRIC

Ford recommends that you only clean fabric in the following way:

1. Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
2. Wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and water solution.
3. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

Note: For heavy stains, spot clean the area. If a ring forms on the fabric, clean the entire area immediately, but do not oversaturate or the ring could set.

CLEANING LEATHER

Ford recommends that you only clean the leather surfaces in the following way:

1. Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
2. Wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and water solution.
3. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.
4. Make sure the leather is dry, then apply a small amount of conditioner to a clean, dry cloth.
5. Rub the conditioner into the leather until it disappears. Allow the conditioner to dry, then repeat the process for the entire interior. If a film appears, wipe it off with a dry, clean cloth.

CLEANING VINYL

Ford recommends that you only clean vinyl surfaces in the following way:

1. Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
2. Wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and water solution.
3. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

CLEANING CARPET

You should only clean your carpets in the following way:

1. Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
2. Wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and water solution.
3. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

Note: For heavy stains, spot clean the area. If a ring forms on the fabric, clean the entire area immediately, but do not oversaturate or the ring could set.

CLEANING FLOOR MATS

Ford recommends that you only clean your floor mats in the following way:

1. Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.

2. Wash rubber floor mats using mild soap and lukewarm or cold water.
3. Completely dry the floor mat before placing them back in your vehicle.

CLEANING RUBBER FLOORS 

Prior to washing out, you should:

• Remove the floor mats. See Floor Mats in the Owner’s Manual.
• Remove large debris to prevent clogging the drain. 

When you are ready to wash out:

1. Turn active drain plugs in each passenger compartment counterclockwise to open.
2. Wash out debris using a standard garden style hose.
   • Note: Use caution to not spray seats, console, door interior, electrical connections, instrument cluster display and underside of the instrument panel on both driver and passenger sides.
3. Wipe out remaining water or debris from the floor.
4. Install active drain plugs and turn clockwise to close. 
5. Reinstall floor mats.

If you’d like a closer look at the washout flooring feature, check out this great article — 

“Guide: The Washout Flooring Feature of the Ford Bronco.”

CLEANING SEATBELTS

Warning: Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the vehicle's seatbelts, as these actions may weaken the belt webbing.

1. Wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap and water solution. 
2. Dry the area with a clean, soft cloth.

Do you have any tips or tricks to keeping your Bronco interior clean? Favorite products? Share them with the Bronco Nation below!