You don't need to go to the car wash to clean your car's fabric seats. You can make them shine again on your own too. It takes a series of simple operations: vacuuming, using a detergent solution, scrubbing the stains with a brush and finally removing excess water and soap with the help of a towel.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Remove Stains
Step 1. Vacuum the seats
Before cleaning them, you need to remove dust, dirt and crumbs. Vacuum dirt carefully, especially around seams. Where possible, spread the folds of the pad with your fingers to push the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner in and remove any dirt trapped in it.
Step 2. Spray a thin layer of cleaner directly onto the fabric
You should use a specially formulated product to clean cloth car seats rather than just any detergent. Spray a small amount on the areas you want to clean - 4-5 sprays should be more than enough.
Don't use so much that you saturate the fibers. Otherwise, the liquid could penetrate to the upholstery, with the risk of mold and bad odors developing
Step 3. Use a brush
Before you spray the cleaner elsewhere, focus on the area you just moistened. It's important to clean a small area at a time, brushing off stains immediately after spraying the cleaner. Use a medium or soft bristle brush to "massage" the seat upholstery.
Do not use a stiff bristle brush, such as those recommended for carpets. Otherwise you risk damaging the fibers of the fabric
Step 4. Remove the dirty foam with a microfiber cloth
Massaging the fabric helps bring dirt to the surface. When the foam begins to collect impurities, remove it with a microfiber cloth. You must intervene before it dries on the fabric, otherwise the stain will be fixed again and you will have to start over.
Step 5. Repeat until the seats are perfectly clean
It replicates exactly the same process: spraying, massaging and absorbing dirt until the seats are clean. Remember that it is important to use only a small amount of detergent before brushing off stains, avoiding saturating the fabric. To get rid of stubborn dirt, you may have to repeat the operation up to 3-6 times.
Step 6. Vacuum again when done
When all the stains have been defeated, vacuum the entire area again. In addition to vacuuming any residue, you will help the fabric dry faster. Wait until the seats are completely dry before driving again.
Part 2 of 3: Alternatives to Fabric Cleaner
Step 1. Try using laundry detergent
If you want to try cleaning the seats with a product you already have at home rather than buying a specific one, you can use cloth detergent. Dissolve it in hot water; you can pour the solution into a spray bottle or wet a sponge, wring it out and use it to slightly moisten the stains.
To rinse off the detergent, wet a microfiber cloth with cold water. Squeeze it to get rid of excess water and rub it on the seats to absorb dirt and soap
Step 2. Use vinegar
White wine can be used to create a cleaning solution suitable for fabrics. Pour 250 ml of vinegar and a few drops of dish soap into 4 liters of hot water. Stir, dab the solution on the seats and use a brush to remove stains.
Rinse with clean water. Use a microfiber cloth to remove foam and dirt
Step 3. Make a cleaning solution with baking soda
It is suitable for cleaning and also for eliminating any unwanted odors from fabrics. Dissolve 60 g of baking soda in 250 ml of hot water. Dampen the fabric with a small amount of the cleaning solution, then use an old toothbrush to remove the stains.
For particularly stubborn stains, let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes, then pat the fabric with a clean cloth to absorb the cleaning solution and dirt
Step 4. Use sparkling water
Surprisingly, the sparkling water can be used to remove stains from fabric seats. Spray a small amount directly on the stained area, then use a brush to scrub away the dirt. Moisten the fibers again if it seems necessary, but not before you have absorbed the dirt that has emerged on the surface.
Carbonated water is good for removing vomit stains
Part 3 of 3: Keeping the Seats Clean
Step 1. Clean them regularly with a vacuum cleaner
Vacuuming the seats helps keep them clean. Removing dirt and soil prevents them from penetrating the fabric cover. Ideally you should clean the inside of the car every 7-14 days, depending on how you use it.
Step 2. If you happen to accidentally tip something on the seats, take action immediately
Another way to prevent the seats from getting stained is to take immediate action when you tip something over. The same goes for any element that can dirty the fabric, such as mud, blood or grease.
- When you happen to spill something, take action immediately by dabbing the stain with a cloth or towel to prevent it from getting into the fabric.
- If it is a substance similar to mud, food or makeup, clean the seat with a specific cleaner as soon as you get home.
Step 3. Set rules for car use
If the mere idea of staining your car seats upsets you, consider making rules about what you can do or carry inside. For example, you could require passengers not to eat while in the car and to drink only from containers with a special cap.
