Most of us spend a lot of time in our cars. Whether it’s commuting, taking kids to school, or heading out for a weekend trip, our vehicles can feel like second homes. Over time, they collect crumbs, coffee stains, pet hair, and dust. While an automated car wash takes care of the exterior, the interior needs more detailed attention.
Interior detailing is much more than just vacuuming. It means deep cleaning, sanitising, and restoring your car’s cabin so it feels and smells fresh again. Of course, this level of service costs more. If you’re thinking about hiring a professional, you probably want to know how much it will cost.
This guide explains the average costs of interior car detailing, what affects the price, and what you get for your money.
The Short Answer: Average Detailing Prices
If you are looking for a quick ballpark figure, most professional interior detailing services range between $100 and $300. To put this into perspective, consider how this compares to other common expenses. For example, a monthly streaming service subscription can cost around $15, while a dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant might set you back $60 to $80. When you look at it this way, detailing can be seen as an investment in maintaining your car’s condition and comfort.
However, prices can vary a lot. A simple cleaning for a small sedan might cost as little as $75, but a full restoration for a minivan with heavy stains could cost $400 or more.
To know what your detailing might cost, it helps to understand what factors affect the price.
Key Factors That Influence Detailing Costs
Detailing is a service, not a product, so the cost depends on the time and effort involved. The more work your car needs, the more you’ll pay. Here are the main things that affect the price.
1. The Size of Your Vehicle
This is the most obvious factor. A Honda Civic has much less carpet, upholstery, and glass than a Chevrolet Suburban. In the small car category, think of models like the Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus. For mid-sized vehicles, examples include the Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V, while large vehicles bring to mind the Ford Expedition and Toyota Highlander. Bigger vehicles take longer to clean and need more cleaning products.
- Small Vehicles (Coupes, Sedans): Expect pricing at the lower end of the spectrum ($100–$175).
- Mid-Size (Crossovers, Small SUVs): Mid-range pricing ($150–$225).
- Large Vehicles (Trucks, Minivans, 7-Seater SUVs): Premium pricing ($200–$350+).
Most detailers use tiered pricing based on vehicle size. If you have a three-row SUV, expect to pay a large vehicle surcharge.
2. The Condition of the Interior
This is often where prices change. A detailer might quote $150 if your car is in average shape. But if they find years of dog hair in the carpets or old soda stains on the seats, the cost will go up.
Professional detailers often charge extra for:
- Excessive Pet Hair: Removing fur requires special rubber brushes, vacuums, and significant elbow grease. Surcharges often range from $50 to $100.
- Heavy Staining: Standard steam cleaning may not lift deeply embedded stains. Extensive spot treatment takes time.
- Mould or Mildew: This is a health risk and needs special equipment and protective gear. Cleaning it up can add hundreds of dollars to your bill.
- Biohazards: Vomit, blood, or urine. Biohazards: Cleaning up vomit, blood, or urine needs special cleaners and careful sanitation. This almost always costs extra.p Clean
Most detailing shops offer a menu of services with set prices.r ($75 – $125)
This is for cars that are already relatively clean and just need a refresh. It typically includes:
- Thorough vacuuming (including trunk).
- Wiping down the dashboard, console, and door panels.
- Cleaning interior glass.
- Cleaning floor mats.
The “Deep Clean” or Full Interior ($150 – $300+)
This package gives your car a full reset. It includes everything in the basic package, plus:
- Shampooing and hot water extraction for carpets and cloth seats.
- Cleaning and conditioning leather seats.
- Steam cleaning vents, crevices, and cup holders.
- Headliner cleaning (removing stains from the roof fabric).
- Application of UV protectant to plastics and vinyl.
4. Your Location
Where you live affects the price. A mobile detailer in rural Ohio will probably charge less than a shop in downtown Los Angeles or Manhattan. In places with a higher cost of living, things like rent and wages are higher, so you’ll pay more.
Mobile Detailing vs. Shop-Based Detailing
When you look for detailing, you’ll find two main options: shops you visit and mobile detailers who come to you.
Mobile Detailing
Mobile services are very convenient. They bring their own water and power and can clean your car at your home or office. Often slightly higher to account for travel time and gas, or they may have a minimum service fee (e.g., “Minimum $150 per visit”).
Shop-Based Detailing
Taking your car to a shop has its benefits, especially for tough cleaning jobs. Shops have better lighting, climate control, and bigger equipment that mobile detailers can’t always bring.
- Pricing: Usually standarPricing: Shops usually charge standard rates, but they can offer advanced services like ozone treatment or ceramic coating for interiors, which mobile detailers may not provide.ns
When you book, ask if these extras are included or cost more. Add-ons can quickly raise the total price.
Ozone Treatment ($50 – $100)
If your car smells like smoke, wet dog, or mildew, air fresheners won’t fix it. Ozone generators remove the bacteria that cause odours. This process takes 30 to 60 minutes and is billed separately.
Fabric Protection ($40 – $80)
After shampooing the car, cleaning the carpets and seats, detailers can add a water-repellent coating, like Scotchgard, to help prevent future stains. This is especially helpful if you have young kids. ($30 – $60)
Cleaning removes dirt, but conditioning restores the leather’s natural oils to prevent cracking or fading. Some full packages include this, but basic ones usually don’t.
Is Professional Detailing Worth the Cost?
You might see these prices and think, “I have a vacuum and some cleaner—I’ll just do it myself.”
Doing it yourself is definitely cheaper, since you only pay for supplies (about $30 to $50). But professional detailing has three main advantages:
- Equipment: Pros use commercial-grade steam cleaners, extractors, and air compressors that remove dirt you can’t reach by hand.
- Time: A full interior detail can take three to six hours. Is your Saturday afternoon worth that much time?
- Resale Value: If you plan to sell your car, a professional detail can raise the sale price by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. It shows buyers the car was well cared for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to tip my car detailer?
Tipping is common in car detailing, just as it is at hair salons or restaurants. If you’re happy with the service, a 10–15% tip is appreciated but not required. For mobile detailers who own their business, tipping is less expected but still a nice gesture.
How long does an interior detail take?
A basic maintenance clean mA basic clean usually takes one to two hours. A full deep clean takes three to five hours. If your car is in bad shape or needs the seats removed, it could take all day. car interior detailed?
To keep your car looking its best, experts suggest a full detail every 6 to 12 months, with basic cleaning (such as vacuuming and wiping down surfaces) in between.
Does interior detailing remove scratches from plastic?
Usually, no. Cleaning can remove dirt and scuff marks, but deep scratches in hard plastics, like on door panels or the glove box, are permanent. Some products can make them less noticeable, but they can’t fix the texture.
Investing in Your Vehicle’s Longevity
A $200 bill for cleaning your car might seemhigh at first, but interior detailinghelps protects your investment. Itkeepts leather from cracking, carpets from rotting, andstops odors fromsetting in.t.
When you ask for quotes, be honest about your car’s condition. If you can, send photos to help the detailer give you an accurate estimate. Knowing what affects the price helps you pick the right package for your budget and keeps your car comfortable and clean for everyday use.