How to Properly Clean and Restore Your Steering Wheel

Never, ever clean your interior while the car is sitting in the sun. If the wheel is hot to the touch, the cleaner will dry instantly and leave nasty streaks. Chuck it in the garage or under a carport first.

Give the steering column and the buttons a quick vac. You don't want to be rubbing loose grit and red dust into the leather while you're scrubbing.

Find a small, hidden spot on the back of the wheel and test your cleaner. Better to find out now if it reacts weirdly than to ruin the whole front of the wheel.

Don't spray the cleaner directly onto the wheel! It'll fly everywhere and get behind the clear plastic on your gauges. Spray it onto your horsehair brush instead.

Start at the 12 o'clock position and work your way around in roughly 10cm sections. Use gentle, circular motions with the brush. You'll see the foam start to turn brown, that's the good stuff (or the gross stuff, actually).

The stitching is where the most dirt hides. Spend a bit of extra time here with the brush, but don't go too ham or you'll fray the threads.

While the cleaner is still wet, take a clean microfibre and wipe the section down. Use a 'twisting' motion with the cloth to pull the dirt out of the grain.

Look at the towel. If it's black or brown, go over that section again. A clean wheel should have a matte finish, not a shiny one. A customer once brought in a Ranger that took four passes before the cloth came back clean.

Use a slightly damp (not dripping) cloth for the cruise control and volume buttons. For the gaps, use a cotton bud. Be careful not to let liquid seep into the electronics.

Everyone forgets the back of the wheel where your fingertips sit. Give it a good scrub, it's usually the grimiest part.

Take a completely dry microfibre and give the whole wheel a final buff to make sure no cleaner residue is left behind.

If it's leather, apply a small amount of conditioner. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then buff it off. This keeps the hide supple in our harsh climate.

Apply a dedicated interior UV protectant. This is the 'sunscreen' for your car. It'll stop the dash and wheel from fading and cracking under that brutal Aussie sun.