Question 1

Can you really remove pet hair from carpets and seats?

Accepted Answer

Yes — embedded pet hair takes targeted technique, not just stronger vacuum suction. Maximum uses a combination of rubber pet-hair brushes (which lift hair against the grain), specialized vacuum attachments, and steam to break the static bond between fur and fabric fibers. Most cars come out 95%+ clean even after years of dog or cat use.

For severe cases (working dogs, multi-pet households, vehicles that haven't been cleaned in years), we offer pet hair removal as a $45 add-on to any package — that's extra time specifically dedicated to the carpets, seat cushions, and trunk liner.

The hair under the seat rails and in the seatbelt anchors is the hardest. We get it.

Question 2

Can you remove smoke odor from a used car?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes. Smoke odor lives in fabric (headliner, seats, carpet), in the HVAC duct system, and in any porous interior plastic. Maximum's odor removal pairs deep extraction (steam + enzyme treatment on fabrics) with an ozone treatment that neutralizes odor molecules in places extraction can't reach.

Two things shape outcomes: how long the smoke exposure lasted (months vs years) and whether the headliner was directly affected (the headliner is the hardest to clean in any car). We're upfront after assessment about whether full removal is realistic versus significant reduction.

For just-bought used cars, schedule the treatment within the first week — the longer smoke residue sits, the deeper it sets. $75 for moderate cases; severe cases quoted after assessment.

Question 3

What's included in an interior-only detail?

Accepted Answer

Full vacuum (carpets, seats, trunk, headliner), steam cleaning of all carpets and upholstery, shampoo extraction on stains, leather/vinyl conditioning, all consoles and air vents cleaned and dressed, glass cleaned inside, and disinfection treatment on every touchpoint. The exterior is not touched in this package.

When to choose interior-only: the outside of your car is in great shape (recent wash, no scratches you want fixed) but the inside has built up grime, stains, or odors you want professionally addressed. It is also the right pick after you have already DIY-washed the outside and just need help with the deep interior work.

Pet hair removal and severe odor remediation are available as add-ons if needed — those take extra time beyond the standard interior package, and we price them separately so you only pay for what your car actually needs.

Question 4

How long does an interior-only detail take?

Accepted Answer

2 to 4 hours for most sedans, 3 to 5 hours for larger SUVs and trucks. Heavy stains, pet hair, or odor work add 30 to 90 minutes on top depending on severity. We can usually finish in your driveway in a single visit.

What drives the time: number of seats (third-row SUVs take longer), how dirty the carpets are (heavy Richmond pollen and pet hair add 30+ minutes), whether stains need extraction passes, and how much leather conditioning the seats need. Steam cleaning the carpets is the longest single step — we do not rush it because under-cleaned carpets re-soil within weeks.

If the car has not been professionally cleaned in 3+ years or has been used for working dogs, construction, or kids in car seats, plan for the higher end of the range and consider the Platinum tier — the interior work in Platinum is more intensive and includes the same disinfection and stain extraction at a better blended rate when paired with a full exterior.

Question 5

Can an interior detail remove old stains and odors?

Accepted Answer

Most stains and odors yes; some no. Coffee, soda, food, mud, and routine pet accidents come out cleanly with steam and extraction. Set-in ink, dyes that have transferred from clothes, and severe biological staining (urine soaked into the foam under the carpet) are harder — we are honest if a stain will not lift fully.

For odors: surface odors (recent food, mild pet smell, gym bag) clear with a thorough interior detail and air-out. Embedded odors (cigarette smoke, long-term pet soaking, smoke from a fire) need our dedicated odor-removal add-on, which combines extraction with an enzymatic neutralizer and ozone treatment so the source is broken down rather than just masked.

We will tell you what we expect to fix and what we cannot before we start, and we never promise miracle results — the difference between us and a "shampoo and air-freshener" detail is that we explain what is actually achievable for your specific case.

Question 6

How do you remove pet odor or vomit smell from a car?

Accepted Answer

We extract whatever residue we can reach (often soaked into the carpet padding or seat foam below the visible fabric), apply an enzymatic neutralizer specifically formulated for biological stains, then steam-clean the surface to lift the broken-down residue. For severe cases we follow with an ozone treatment so the source is neutralized at the molecular level rather than masked.

Pet odor specifically: most "my dog has been in this car for years" cases clear with one full odor-removal session because regular dog smell is surface-level. Cat-urine soaking into seat foam, vomit that sat overnight, or a flooded carpet need extra extraction time — sometimes we have to remove the seat to reach the foam underneath, and we will tell you up front if that is the case.

Honest constraint: enzymes need protein/biological material to break down. They work great on pet odor, vomit, and urine. They do not help with non-biological smells like gas, paint thinner, or electrical burning — those need ozone alone or a different approach we can recommend during the in-person quote.

Vehicle class	Starting at
Sedan	$185
SUV / truck	$225

Interior-Only Detail

What it costs

Frequently asked about Interior-Only Detail

Ready to book a interior-only detail?