How to clean car upholstery

Car interior maintenance can be a difficult and tiring job, but it's a must. Not only does this keep the car clean, but it also helps boost its resale value when it's time to upgrade to a new car. The interior, and especially the upholstery, can become permanently soiled if debris and spilled liquids are left on for a long time.

It's best to clean your car's interior regularly and tackle large stains and blemishes as soon as possible to make sure they don't become a permanent part of your car's landscape.

There are definitely differences when it comes to stains and upholstery types, so using the right method and product will ensure all dirt is gone and the cleaning itself doesn't cause further damage to your interior.

Here are the best methods for keeping your car's interior clean and tidy.

Method 1 of 8: Blemish Stain Removal

Spills can leave nasty stains on upholstery and should be cleaned up immediately. For most stains, blotting is best. Blotting will help pull the stain up and out of the fabric. Here is an instruction on how to remove old stains:

Step 1: Choose your product. When dealing with a tough stain, you will usually need more than soap and water. There are dozens of products available that will do the job.

• Meguiar's Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner: This product is suitable for both carpets and upholstery.

• Tuff Stuff: This is another all-purpose cleaner that works on both upholstery and carpets.

Step 2: Apply to stain. Shake well and hold the can upright while you spray the stain. If necessary, rub the stain with a damp cloth, and then wipe with a dry cloth.

Method 2 of 8: Removing Common Stains

When dealing with general dirt and grime, this method will have your seats looking like new in no time.

Step 1: test the product. Any time you use a new product on your car upholstery, you should test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure it does not stain or discolour the fabric or leather.

Step 2: Apply the product. Apply the product to the stain according to the manufacturer's instructions and let it soak in for a few minutes.

Step 3: Rub the Stain. Scrub the stain with water, use a microfiber cloth or a soft-bristled brush if the stain is very stubborn.

Step 4: rinse. Rinse the stain with clean water and a clean microfiber cloth to get rid of all cleaners and debris.

Method 3 of 8: Deal with Special Stains

Not all spots are the same. If you have one of the stains listed below, here are some tips on how to clean it up:

Method 4 of 8: Get rid of grease and oil stains

Grease or oil stains can be some of the most difficult stains to remove. There are several ways to get rid of these spots.

Solution 1: Paint Thinner: Use paint thinner mixed with water in equal proportions to remove grease or oil. Use a clean cloth to blot the stain. This should help remove the stain. Clean the stain with clean water after removing the stain. Test on an inconspicuous area before using paint thinner on upholstery.

Solution 2: Detergent: You can also use a normal household cleaner to remove oil or grease from car upholstery. Squeeze a few drops of detergent onto the stain and leave for five minutes. This should loosen the grease stain. Blot the stain and rinse with clean water.

Method 5 of 8: general interior cleaning

It is a great idea to arrange a general cleaning of the car interior from time to time. The longer the dirt and soot will penetrate the fabric, the more difficult it will be to remove. Here are some general tips for cleaning the interior of your car.

Step 1: Assemble the tools. For high-quality cleaning of the car interior, you will need various tools. Here is a list of items you should have on hand before starting a project:

• A bucket of water
• Microfiber cloths
• Soft bristle brush
• Soft clean cloth or sponge
• Upholstery cleaner
• vacuum

A few words about upholstery cleaners. There are dozens of brands available, or you can make your own homemade cleaner. These two upholstery cleaners are highly recommended as a cleaner and odor remover.

• Turtle Cleaner
  
  
• Armor All OxiMagic carpet and upholstery cleaner

Step 2: Cleaning the interior of your car. The interior of a vehicle contains a number of different sections that require cleaning, and in most cases each section may require a different cleaning method. Here is a summary of how to clean your interior well:

• Wipe the Seats: Before you start a general cleaning, it is best to wipe the seats with a damp cloth. This will help remove any debris or dust that has not made its way into the upholstery.

• Spot-checking your products: Cleaners can be fickle, so make sure you spot-check the part of the seat that isn't visible to make sure it doesn't stain or discolor your upholstery or leather.

• Vacuum the car: Use a vacuum cleaner to pick up any large, easy-to-clean debris from the seats and floor. If possible, use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, which is usually more powerful than a conventional vacuum cleaner. They are usually equipped with a long hose and cord, making it easy to clean the entire car. If a wet/dry vacuum cleaner is not available, consider using a coin-operated vacuum cleaner at the car wash.

• When cleaning, use all the features of the vacuum cleaner with maximum efficiency. The thin and narrow crevice tool can get into all the hard-to-reach places, and soft brushes are best for seats, especially leather ones that are easy to scratch.

• Be sure to take out the floor mats and vacuum the carpet underneath the mats as well as the mats themselves. Move and tilt the seats to collect all the dust and dirt that collects in the seat crevices and under the seats.

  • Upholstery cleaning. Cloth seats are quite common in modern cars and they tend to hold dirt and grime in which can make them look very dirty. It is important to clean the fabric interior regularly.

• When cleaning a fabric interior, there are a number of commercial products you can use, or you can go the home route. If you prefer to cook at home, just use 1 part water with 1 part dishwashing liquid. Place this mixture in a spray bottle for easy application.

  • Functions: Always test product in an inconspicuous area before applying full coverage.

• Spray the product (commercial or homemade) directly onto the fabric upholstery and wipe the fabric with a clean damp cloth or soft bristled brush. Blot the cloth for a few minutes and then rinse the cloth with a clean cloth and water. Once the area is clean, dry it with a microfiber cloth.

• Consider Using a Steam Cleaner: If the fabric is very dirty and still looks dirty after being thoroughly cleaned with a cleaning solution, you may want to consider renting a steam cleaner.

  • These machines can be rented from most grocery or rental stores. A steam cleaner provides deep cleaning by spraying hot water and cleaning solution onto a fabric or carpet, then sucking the water and dirt back in.
  • Follow the manufacturer's instructions, change the water frequently, and let the car dry for at least 12 hours after steam cleaning.
  • Steam cleaning should remove any remaining stains and leave the fabric clean, fresh, and smelly.

• Vinyl upholstery. Vinyl upholstery is one of the easiest types of upholstery to maintain. As with leather, most vinyl stains can be easily removed. Seat cleaning is just as easy. Spray a glass cleaner such as Windex on the seats and simply wipe them down with a clean microfiber cloth.

  • If the vinyl is particularly dirty, a mixture of water and baking soda will help clean and polish the seats. Mix one part water and one part baking soda into a paste. Apply to seats and then wash with soap and water. When the seats are clean, wipe them with a clean cloth.

Method 6 of 8: Skin Cleansing

Leather upholstery requires a different type of cleaner. There are many leather cleaners out there, or you can make your own. Here is a highly recommended leather cleaner:

• Turtle Skin Cleaner

If you prefer a homemade cleanser, mixing one part vinegar and two parts linseed oil will give you a cleanser that does the job and cleans your leather easily. Silicone or petroleum-based products should be avoided as they can leave shiny marks on the skin.

When cleaning leather, follow these steps:

Step 1: Spray the Solution. The leather cleaner should be sprayed directly on the leather seats. Before applying it to all seats, test it on a hard to reach area to make sure it doesn't stain the leather.

Step 2: Wipe it. Use a soft, damp cloth to apply the cleanser and let it soak in for a few minutes, which will break down the dirt in the leather.

Step 3: Use the brush. If the leather is really dirty, use a soft brush to thoroughly clean the leather.

Step 4: Wipe the seats clean. After cleaning the seats, rinse off the cleaner with a damp cloth. At this point, the seats should be clean, if not repeat these steps until they are nice and shiny.

Step 5: Prepare the Seats. Using conditioner on the seats will help keep them soft. Do not use a conditioner that contains silicone, petroleum distillates or waxes as they may damage the skin. Look for one that has a neutral pH.

• Apply conditioner by rubbing it into your skin with a sponge or microfiber cloth. It is better to use conditioners sparingly so that they do not leave a film on the skin.

• Rub the conditioner in thoroughly, and then wipe off the excess conditioner. The vehicle must be parked in a shaded area for the next 12 hours, and then the seats should be wiped one last time.

• Leather seats should be cleaned and conditioned several times a year to keep them in top condition.

Step 6: Strip the seams. It's not just large sections of seats that need to be cleaned, don't forget the seams of the seats. Rubbing the seams with a small brush will quickly clean the seams.

Method 7 of 8: Keep your car clean

Taking care of your car means you spend less time cleaning it. This will also help the resale value when you want to sell it. Keeping your car clean is pretty easy if you make it a priority and a habit:

• Clean up clutter and spills immediately. This will prevent dirt and grime from getting on the seats and carpet.

• Vacuum your car weekly.

• Remove trash from your car daily or at least once a week.

• Check out the seat covers. They will protect your seats and clean up all the spills and messes. When it's time to sell the car, just remove the dirty covers.

• Apply Scotchguard Fabric Protector to upholstered seats. This adds another layer of protection to your seats.

• If possible, limit food and drink in the car. With children, this can be difficult.

Method 8 of 8: Hire a Professional

If you're just not up to cleaning your car, or if it needs to be spotless for a special occasion, consider hiring a professional cleaner. The detailer doesn't just clean upholstery and floor mats, it details the dashboard, vents, windows and exterior of the vehicle.

If you're considering hiring a handyman, here are some professional tips to help you get a brand new car:

• Get recommendations from friends and family.

• Make sure they are properly insured in case they damage your vehicle.

  • Ask about the products they use, if you are unhappy with their choice, ask them to use the products of your choice.

• Get a quote in advance before they start work.

• Never pay for a part until the car has been inspected and cleaned to your specifications.

Driving a clean car just makes you feel better, so make sure you clean your car regularly and clean up any spills or stains immediately.