A Guide to Clean Cloth Car Seats
- December 17, 2024
- Blog
Fabric car seats encounter various challenges that affect their appearance, whether it’s grocery mishaps, food stains, drink spills, or pet hair. That’s why a thorough cleaning is vital after some time, depending on your car seat conditions and the frequency of incidents in your car. Keep reading the blog to learn the best fabric car seat cleaning methods and maintenance practices to get your car seats looking great.
What You’ll Need to Have for Fabric Seat Cleaning
Essential Tools
- Upholstery Brush
- Crevice Tool
- Stiff-Bristled Scrub Brush
- Vacuum with a Hose
- Spray Bottle
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Microfibre Cloths
Materials
- Water
- Oxygen-Based Bleach
- Commercial Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
- Fabric Protectors (Non-Compulsory)
A Step-by-Step Procedure for Cleaning Fabric Car Seats
After gathering all the necessary materials and equipment, you need to follow the below-mentioned easy-to-follow steps to clean your cloth car seats effectively:
Vacuum Your Seats
The first thing to do is vacuuming, which helps remove dust, crumbs, or other debris from your car seats. This initial process prevents wet materials from entering the fabric. In addition to a vacuum, you can make the best use of an upholstery brush to lift any loose dirt from the fabric fibres.
Focus on the Stains
Prior to performing proper cleaning, treating the stains is advised. Use the upholstery cleaner with the help of a scrub brush to clean the stains directly. Let the cleaner sit on the fabric for at least 15 minutes, and get set for the general cleaning.
Use the Upholstery Cleaner
Pour the upholstery cleaner into a spray bottle and splash the fabric. Start sprinkling the spray from the top of the seat and work your way to the bottom.
Scrub It Away
Once your seats get damped from the upholstery cleaning solution, scrub them with a scrub brush. Work your way from top to down for guaranteeing that dirt drips downward. During the process, rinse your brush in water whenever required.
Wipe Away Residual Moisture
You can use the high-quality absorber to run it over your car seats at this stage. This ensures the removal of excess moisture from the cloth car seats.
Dry the Seats
Letting the car seats completely dry before using them to achieve the best outcome is recommended. The typical duration for complete drying is up to three hours. Alternatively, a drying agent is best for soaking moisture if your car seats are too damped.
Note: If you can’t achieve your desired results or observe heavily soiled seats, repeat the process until thoroughly cleaned.
The Accessible DIY Alternatives for Cloth Car Seats Stain Cleaning
If you lack any kind of clothes cleaner firsthand in your homes, there are various easily available alternatives to get your car seats back to their best.
Method 1: Use Vinegar Mix
There is nothing a little white distilled vinegar can’t do. Keep a bottle of vinegar around for attacking dirty areas everywhere, whether these are car seats or shower head. Mix one cup of vinegar in almost 1 gallon of water. Start dabbing the mixture onto the seat and scrubbing with the help of a brush. Then wipe dry the seat by using a microfiber towel.
Method 2: Try Laundry Detergent
Mix one tablespoon of highly concentrated laundry detergent in a spray bottle or hot water bowl. Soak a towel into this mix and continue massaging the affected area gently with a sponge. Damp a microfibre towel with cold water for removing the detergent from the seat. Repeat the massaging and squeezing it out.
Method 3: Some Dish Soap to Spot Clean
Take a few spurts of liquid dish soap and mix it in a gallon of water. Dunk your sponge into the liquid, squeeze it, and scrub the affected section until the stains are removed. To remove the soap leftovers, swab the area with a wet towel.
Method 4: Baking Soda for Treating the Stain
To eliminate musty, unpleasant odours, baking soda is your go-to choice. Mix a cup of warm water with ¼ cup of baking soda. You can use a toothbrush to work directly on the stains for better application. If the stains are challenging, leave the mix on the seats for almost half an hour. Then wipe it down and leave it for drying.
Method 5: Club Soda Works for Cocktails And Car Seats
To get rid of stains like vomit, make use of club soda. Spray the area with a little amount of club soda and scrub it with a brush. Repeat the process until you’ve achieved the desired results.
Tips to Keep Your Cloth Car Seats Clean for Longer
- It’s best always to have a towel tucked under your seat, especially if you take the meal in your car. This towel works as a placemat to avoid spills and catch food scrums.
- When drinking beverages, use sealed cups and check whether the covers are fitted.
- To keep your car looking appealing for years, detailing is the best option. After every few months, clean your vehicle thoroughly; however, this frequency varies based on the soil build-up on your car seats.
