Cleaning your car upholstery may seem like a less important task than maintaining the engine and other mechanical parts. However, a clean interior certainly makes the difference between a neglected car and a well-maintained and cared for vehicle; it's a simple job that doesn't take a lot of time. The reward of tranquility and the sensation of freshness that a sanitized passenger compartment transmits is much greater than the little time dedicated to this simple task.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Clean the Upholstery with the Vacuum Cleaner and Wash It
Step 1. Prepare the cockpit
Take out all the abandoned items inside the vehicle and put away the messy ones. There are many accessories that allow you to organize these objects, but most modern cars have built-in compartments that are just as functional. Get rid of as many unnecessary things as possible by putting them in a corner of the car or bringing them into the house.
Step 2. Remove the mats
Take them out and shake them to eliminate all the dust and other residues that should not remain in the car; the best thing to do is to place them near the machine in a dry area.
Step 3. Thoroughly vacuum the interior surfaces
Do not neglect the area behind the pedals, under the seats and the crevices, in order to suck and eliminate all the dust, crumbs and dirt left on the vehicle floor; if you leave a lot of dirt on your upholstery, you can't do a good job when it comes time to wash it.
Step 4. Choose a specific upholstery cleaner and a quality brush
There is a wide range of products for cleaning machine coatings that are all essentially similar. No matter which one you decide to use, the method is always the same; even laundry detergent is fine. Get a soft-bristled brush that allows you to apply the soap deep between the fibers.
Step 5. Clean the upholstery
Spray on the soap or shampoo and wait for it to work for about 10 minutes. work slowly and methodically with the brush. Remember to make circular motions, as they are best suited for lifting dust and dirt. If necessary, repeat the procedure on particularly problematic areas that are covered with stains or large amounts of encrustation.
Step 6. Rinse the freshly washed upholstery
Use a wet rag and dampen the soapy areas. Try to get rid of as much foam as possible; However, remember that you must not over-impregnate the coatings, otherwise you could favor the formation of mold in the underlying layers. As long as you can get rid of most of the soap, there should be no problem.
Step 7. Wait for the interior to dry
This is an important step to prevent moisture from remaining on the fabrics and not evaporating; open all doors and expose the vehicle to the sun. You will probably have to wait at least a few hours; after this time he goes back to the car and feels the interior. If you feel they are still wet, give them another hour or so; if they are dry, you have completed the job.
Part 2 of 3: Clean the Mats
Step 1. Take out and clean the mats with the vacuum cleaner
Remove them from the car and place them on the ground, preferably on a concrete, asphalt or concrete surface. Use a regular vacuum cleaner or wet vacuum to get rid of all obvious dust and debris on the mats. Remember to treat both sides; you can also shake them vigorously to remove any residue.
Step 2. Wash the underside
Turn the mats over so that the rubber side is facing up; drop a few drops of dish soap and wet the surface with the garden hose to activate the soap suds and at the same time loosen the debris. Rub with a sponge or cloth; if you notice the presence of encrusted dirt, calmly use a brush. Finally, rinse with the garden hose and dry with a rag.
Step 3. Spray the upholstery with a cleaner
Now turn the mat over so that the side with the fabric faces up. Purchase a specific soap or use laundry detergent; spray or pour in adequate amounts and wet the mat with the garden hose to activate the cleaner and loosen debris.
Step 4. Scrub the fabric of the mats
Use a medium-sized brush and clean the surface in circular motions; some points may require more vigor. Feel free to wet the fabric again with water as you scrub the various areas; when finished, rinse the mat until all the foam is gone.
Step 5. Dry and spread the mats
Remove excess water with a wet vacuum and scrub the surfaces with a cloth or towel. Apply pressure to try to absorb as much moisture as possible; at the end, hang the mats on a clothesline or some other place where they can hang freely.
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning Stains Stuck in the Upholstery
Step 1. Get rid of normal stains with very hot water
These are typically caused by water, mud, dust, excess moisture, and so on. Pour all these "ingredients" into a bucket: 4 liters of very hot water, a few drops of dish soap and 250 ml of vinegar; mix everything until you get a uniform mixture. Dip a rag or sponge in the cleaner and use it to wet the stained surface; then, take a sponge, rub the fabric with circular movements and finish by dabbing with absorbent paper.
Step 2. Dilute coffee, alcohol or soft drink stains with cold water
First, pour a good amount of cold water on the stain; do not use the hot one because it fixes the dirt in depth. Afterward, blot the area with paper towels and wait for the fabric to dry.
Step 3. Remove vomit stains with soda water
Buy a bottle of simple sparkling water, pour the contents on the fabric to be treated and rub with circular movements using a wet cloth; finally, dry the upholstery with a rag. Alternatively, you can clean the surface with a mixture of water and baking soda for excellent results.
Step 4. Get rid of ink stains with lacquer or salt
Spray the lacquer on the area affected by the strokes of the pen and rub it with a damp cloth, making circular movements; when finished, dry the surface with a rag. Alternatively, you can use salt: pour in a good amount and wait a few minutes. After this time, remove the product with a wet cloth.
Step 5. Remove traces of grease using paint thinner
Pour a small amount of liquid onto a cotton rag; use it to scrub the area to be treated in circular motions and remove the grease stains accordingly. Afterwards, take some paper towels to remove the thinner residue. Warning: this substance could cause the fabrics to discolour; first test in a hidden corner of the passenger compartment or on the luggage compartment upholstery.
Step 6. Spray glass cleaner on the fabric
This method is perfect for common stains or those that have set deeply; just spread the product on the area to be treated and wait about 5-10 minutes for the detergent to lift the dirt particles. When finished, wipe with a damp cloth and let it dry.
Step 7. Make a hydrogen peroxide paste
Some stains are particularly stubborn and need to be treated "the hard way". Make a paste with 3% hydrogen peroxide and some traditional toothpaste (not gel). Rub the mixture into the dirty upholstery to create a lather. Leave it on for five minutes and then rub the surface again with a wet rag and circular motions; when finished, blot the fabric with absorbent paper to remove excess moisture.
Step 8. Treat blood stains with a laundry starch slurry
Combine the starch with an equal amount of cold water in a bucket and mix the solution until a rather thick paste is created. Apply the latter on the area to be treated and wait about half an hour; afterwards, rub the upholstery with a wet cloth and remove any excess residue with damp absorbent paper.
Step 9. Remove the chewing gum after freezing it
Put one or two ice cubes on the rubber that has stuck to the interior of the car; wait 10 minutes for the cold to freeze and harden. Afterwards, you can use a scraper or your hands to pry and peel it off; when finished, wash the area with a wet cloth and let it dry.
Step 10. Apply borax to get rid of animal odors
When pets spend some time in the car, the passenger compartment begins to become impregnated with their smells. Spread some borax over the upholstered areas and let it sit for about an hour. afterwards, use the vacuum cleaner to remove the product and scrub the surfaces with a dry cloth.
Step 11. Apply enzyme blend
Mix a part of cold water with the same enzyme in a bucket to soften the meat. You can find these powdered products in grocery stores, in the spice industry. Stir the mixture until the enzyme is diluted and apply it to the stain using a cloth; wait for the mixture to work for about half an hour, then clean the upholstery with a wet cloth and let it dry.
Advice
- Always scrub in circular motions.
- Take your time; it is advisable to set aside two or three hours for this job.
- It is better to scrub two or three times rather than leaving a stain on the upholstery.
- If you are trying any home remedies, test a hidden corner of the fabric first; in this way, any damage is visible only in an inconspicuous point.
Warnings
- Do not wet the upholstery too much, otherwise you will favor the formation of mold and damage the underlying layer.
- Buy non-aggressive skin cleansers; if you have some known allergies, check the labels on the packaging.
- Use protective gloves when washing, especially if you are using a mixture with hydrogen peroxide.
