Cleaning the car interior is just as important as keeping the exterior in good condition. Whenever you drive, you are inside the cabin, so it is essential for your health and peace of mind to be in a comfortable environment. Fortunately, cleaning upholstery is quite simple thanks to a series of techniques, products and tricks that you can put into practice.
Steps
Method 1 of 7: Clean Localized Stains
Step 1. Before using a stain remover, test a hidden corner of the upholstery
Your goal is certainly not to ruin the interior, so make sure the product doesn't do any damage.
Step 2. Pretreat stubborn spots on the skin
If the car upholstery is leather / hide, pre-treat stubborn dirt with a specific emollient. Then apply a stain remover and scrub. Wait for the product to work for 30 seconds before removing it with a cloth.
Step 3. Eliminate the ink stains
For this particular type of dirt, rely on hairspray or a mixture of water and denatured alcohol. You can spray the lacquer directly onto the ink and then dab with a clean, damp cloth trying to avoid spreading the stain further.
Step 4. Remove grease and oil stains
For greasy residues, such as lipstick or greasy food, use a paint remover diluted with water and a cotton cloth. Pour some into a cup with an equal amount of water. Dip the fabric into the mixture and rub it into the stain. Then sprinkle the area with salt or cornstarch and wait overnight. Vacuum the next morning.
Remember to do a thinner test on a hidden corner of the upholstery to make sure it doesn't damage the material
Step 5. Deal with coffee stains
If you happen to spill the coffee in the car, dilute it immediately with cold water and blot the area with absorbent paper. Spray some glass cleaner and wait 5 minutes. Blot some paper again to try to remove the greatest amount of dirt.
- Always blot stains, never rub them, otherwise they are absorbed even more by the upholstery and spread over a larger area.
- If the coffee streak is still visible, scrub the affected area with liquid dish soap and then rinse with warm water. Blot with absorbent paper and dry the carpet with a hairdryer. Hold the hair dryer several inches from the upholstery surface to avoid burning it.
Step 6. Remove vomit stains
If someone has gotten sick in the car and vomited on the seats and upholstery, try to clean as soon as possible to prevent dirt from getting into the fabrics. Wipe off the vomit with a cloth and then dilute the stain with cold water. Wash the area with a mild soap and warm water. Finally try to neutralize the stain with sparkling water: wet a cloth and dab it on the area.
Alternatively, use a mixture of water and baking soda that also absorbs odor
Step 7. Remove the blood stains
The blood is difficult to remove, do not use hot water or soap as this will fix the stain in the fabric even more. Soak a washcloth in cold water and dab it on the affected area. Rinse the cloth and repeat the process until the stain disappears.
Method 2 of 7: Clean the Fabric Upholstery
Step 1. Use a household all-purpose cleaner
You don't have to spend a lot of money on commercial products to keep your upholstery in top condition at all times. Make the cleanser with natural ingredients. In a bucket, combine one part of water with one part of liquid dish soap. Stir the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle.
- Spray the cleaner on the upholstery, holding the nozzle 6 to 8 inches from the stain.
- Scrub the surface gently with a soft bristle brush. Rinse everything off with warm water and a clean cloth. Rinse the rag often.
- Work on one seat at a time. Make sure each area is thoroughly rinsed before moving on to the next.
- Dry the area with a microfiber cloth.
Step 2. Make a cleanser with soap, borax and very hot water
This is also a natural, non-caustic cleaning product. In a bucket, grate a piece of soap until you get about 90 g. Add 30 g of borax and slowly pour 500 ml of boiling water. If you wish, you can add 10 drops of lavender essential oil (or the fragrance of your choice). Wait for it to cool and then whisk the mixture with a whisk to create a foam.
- Scrub the foam into the upholstery with a soft-bristled brush. Then rinse with a clean cloth and warm water. Remember to rinse the cloth often.
- Clean one seat at a time, make sure you have thoroughly wiped the cleaner off one area before moving on to the next.
Step 3. Trust a commercial product
These cleaners are available at home improvement stores and are not very expensive. However, the active ingredients are quite aggressive. Follow the directions on the labels carefully and use a brush to apply them to the upholstery. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Step 4. Rent a steam cleaner
It is a tool available in appliance stores and hardware stores. It allows you a very thorough cleaning of both carpet and upholstery. It basically sprays boiling water on the surface and immediately sucks it up while sucking up all the dirt. Rental prices vary from shop to shop, but certainly more affordable than buying the cleaner itself.
- Follow the instructions in the user manual.
- In addition to water, you can add a commercial upholstery cleaner or a home cleaner made with one part white vinegar and one part water. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to perfume the interior.
- Change the cleaner water very often so you don't treat the upholstery with dirty water.
Step 5. Use the toothbrush to clean the seams
The seats have seams along the edges, at the joints between the various pieces of upholstery. Dirt and debris accumulate in these hard-to-clean spots with a vacuum cleaner or cloth. For these areas, use a toothbrush and detergent.
Step 6. Clean the mats
Remove them from the cabin and wash them with the same detergent you used on the rest of the fabric. Rinse them thoroughly and dry them with a microfiber cloth.
If the mats are rubber or vinyl, apply some liquid wax or shoe polish after washing them. This way they stay shiny and it will be easier to clean them in the future
Step 7. Use an adhesive lint remover
It is a roller covered with adhesive paper that removes lint, hair and crumbs from the seat fabric. Just wipe it over the surface you want to clean. Change the paper periodically to make sure it is sticky enough and therefore effective.
Step 8. Use microfiber cloths to minimize lint in the cabin
When blotting stains or scrubbing surfaces, use this material which is less likely to leave lint.
Method 3 of 7: Clean the Vinyl Upholstery
Step 1. Rely on a window cleaner to clean the vinyl
The seats covered with this material are the easiest to wash, often just wiping with a cloth. Spray the surface with an all-purpose cleaner and scrub with a soft rag.
Take on one seat at a time, so the cleaner doesn't drip onto the cabin floor
Step 2. Use water and baking soda
You can make a paste with these two ingredients to naturally clean vinyl. Rub it on the seats, one at a time, then rinse with a mixture of mild soap and water. Dry the surfaces with a clean, soft cloth.
Oil-based cleaners harden vinyl, so don't use them
Step 3. Use the toothbrush to clean the seams
The seats have seams along the edges, at the joints between the various pieces of upholstery. Dirt and debris accumulate in these hard-to-clean spots with a vacuum cleaner or cloth. Use your toothbrush and cleanser in these areas.
Step 4. Clean the mats
Remove them from the cabin and wash them with the same detergent you used on the rest of the fabric. Make a mixture of one part water and one part liquid dish soap. Spray it on the mats and scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse them with warm water and dry them with a microfiber cloth.
If the mats are rubber or vinyl, apply some liquid wax or shoe polish after washing them. This way they stay shiny and it will be easier to clean them in the future
Method 4 of 7: Clean the Leather Upholstery
Step 1. Get a leather seat cleaning kit
Leather and leather need special care and more attention than fabric or vinyl; this is because they are materials susceptible to aging and wear. The best thing to do is to rely on a specific cleanser and emollient. They are often sold in kits.
Step 2. Turn on the car heater
The skin reacts to heat and becomes easier to clean and care for. If you live in a very hot climate, then there is no need to turn on the heating. However, if you are in mid-winter, it is worth warming the seats for a few minutes before cleaning them.
Step 3. Pretreat stubborn stains
Use a leather softener to soften the stain. Then apply a cleanser and scrub. Wait for it to work for 30 seconds before wiping the product off with a cloth.
Step 4. Use a leather soap
Apply it to the upholstery focusing on one section at a time. Rely on a soft cloth for these operations and rinse with clean water.
Follow the instructions on the detergent label exactly
Step 5. Make a home cleaner
Combine mild hand soap with warm water and use the mixture to cleanse the skin. Don't use too much water. But be sure to remove all the foam with a clean wet cloth.
Step 6. Dry the skin carefully
Once washed, you need to dry it completely before applying the emollient conditioner. Although leather is water repellent by nature, it cannot absorb conditioner when wet.
Step 7. Use a water-based emollient with a neutral pH
This product restores the oil layer that you washed off and makes the leather smooth and soft. The cheaper emollients can be petroleum-based, which tends to stick to the skin and transfer to clothing, as well as impart a greasy texture to the skin. Instead, use a water-based product with a neutral pH to keep your seats and clothes in top condition.
Pour some softener on a cloth and use this to scrub the seats. Wipe off the excess with a clean rag and wait 15-20 minutes before using the machine
Step 8. Use the toothbrush to clean the seams
The seats have seams along the edges, at the joints between the various pieces of upholstery. Dirt and debris accumulate in these hard-to-clean spots with a vacuum cleaner or cloth. Use your toothbrush and cleanser in these areas.
Step 9. Clean the mats
Remove them from the cabin and wash them with the same detergent you used on the rest of the fabric. Make a mixture of one part water and one part liquid dish soap. Spray it on the mats and scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse them with warm water and dry them with a microfiber cloth.
If the mats are rubber or vinyl, apply some liquid wax or shoe polish after washing them. This way they stay shiny and it will be easier to clean them in the future
Method 5 of 7: Vacuum the Interior of the Car
Step 1. Use a vacuum cleaner that is also suitable for liquids
It is a very powerful tool that is suitable for different suction jobs. It is usually equipped with a long hose or spout and an equally long cable to allow you to easily carry it into the car.
- Alternatively, you can find coin-operated vacuums in car washes. They have a very long tube that allows you to reach the hidden corners of the cockpit, but they must be constantly “powered” with tokens as they are managed by a timer.
- There are also small and portable vacuum cleaners. They are great for cleaning small surfaces but do not have great suction power, so they are not effective for fully vacuuming a car.
Step 2. Use the plastic accessories
Most vacuum cleaners have plastic accessories that are better than metal ones. The latter, in fact, can scratch the car or the upholstery, especially the leather or vinyl seats.
The brushes with a large square opening are very useful, as are the thin spouts that reach even the hidden crevices
Step 3. Move the seats
When vacuuming the interior of the car, you need to be sure to clean all nooks and crannies to get rid of dust and dirt. Recline the seats to vacuum the gap between the seat and the backrest, move them forward to clean the floor under them.
Remove the child seat so you can clean the seat completely. You can often find residues of cereals, muesli and pastels
Step 4. Remove the mats
Vacuum the upholstery covering the passenger compartment floor and wash the mats.
Step 5. Vacuum clean frequently
If you remove dust and dirt from the car, you prevent it from compacting in the seats and upholstery, and also prevent the formation of stains. Make sure to vacuum the interior at least once a month or more often if your car gets very dirty.
Method 6 of 7: Relying on a Professional Detailer
Step 1. Find an area detailer
This is not a simple car wash, but a professional who cleans and treats every element of the car meticulously. It will take care of the upholstery, the dashboard, the air intakes, the windows and even the hidden seals. Do some research online or ask friends and family if they can recommend a good detailer.
- Make sure he is an accredited professional and knows how to use all the tools of the trade. Also check that it is insured, in case it does accidental damage to the car.
- Ask for a quote to make comparisons.
Step 2. Take the car to a detailer and ask for a quote based on the condition of the vehicle
This way the professional can realize how much work is needed to clean the machine.
The detailer is unable to give you a quote without first viewing the machine
Step 3. Check your work
Before paying and leaving the garage, check that the car has been cleaned as you expected. If you have a child seat mounted on the seat, remove it and check that it is clean underneath.
Step 4. Ask the professional for advice on cleaning products
Most use commercial cleaners and harsh chemicals to treat the car. If you prefer a greener approach, look for a detailer that uses only biodegradable products.
- Some professionals contain costs by using inexpensive cleaning products that, over time, damage the car or do not guarantee lasting results.
- This is especially important if you are sensitive to strong odors that may remain inside the car.
Step 5. Be prepared to leave your car at the professional for some time
A well done treatment, at least, involves two hours of work, which could become even more if the upholstery is heavily stained or the car is very dirty. Arrange to run other errands in the same area or ask someone to pick you up so you don't have to wait in the shop.
Method 7 of 7: Avoid Dirt
Step 1. Put on seat covers
Buy covers that protect the seats, that match the rest of the upholstery, or that are colorful and light. There are different models, both for the front and rear seats, and have a variable cost between 30 and 40 euros. Most of them are machine washable and make car cleaning a lot easier.
Step 2. Apply repellent to the upholstery
It is a product that slightly "waterproofs" the fabric, thus preventing stains from being absorbed quickly, protecting the interior and extending its life. It is available in auto parts stores and top supermarkets.
Follow the instructions on the label
Step 3. Immediately clean up any liquids or dirt that falls on the upholstery
Do not let them penetrate the fabric and set in the material. If you don't treat the dirt right away, it will be more difficult to get rid of the stain, and over time, it could generate a bad smell.
Step 4. Avoid eating and drinking in the car
Prevent passengers from carrying food into the car to limit the risk of staining and soiling the upholstery. If you suddenly brake or try to eat while driving, the spot is guaranteed! Prohibits eating and drinking inside the car.
Step 5. Keep the cockpit tidy
Take out the trash after each trip to reduce the risk of greasy fast-food packages and paper coffee cups transferring dirt to the upholstery. Throw away your garbage immediately, so it won't pile up under the seats.
Remove crayons and any items that may melt on very hot days from the car. The temperature inside a vehicle is significantly higher than outside and crayons, for example, will melt into the upholstery if you don't remove them right away
Step 6. Vacuum regularly
Getting rid of dust and debris prevents them from getting into seats and carpeting (which would contribute to hard-to-remove stains). Plan to stick to a regular cabin cleaning schedule at least once a month or even more frequently if your car gets more dirty.
