Our cars go through it all. One day they’re a family taxi driving kids to school and sports, the next, a drive-thru dining room or a mobile storage packed with gym bags, groceries and who knows what else. With all that action comes inevitable mess – crumbs all over the seats, muddy footprints on the floor and stains that seem impossible to remove.
If all that mess is driving you crazy, take a deep breath. With the right interior car detailing supplies and techniques, it’s possible to clean even the toughest stains and get your car’s upholstery looking and feeling fresh again. Here is how.
Start by Vacuuming the Seats and Carpet
Before attempting any stain removal, make sure you vacuum the seats and carpets. This will not only give you a better view of the stained area but will also ensure that you don’t smear more dirt around.
Vacuuming your car can be done with a handheld vacuum cleaner, or you can use the long attachment on your regular vacuum. Remember to get into the seams and crevices that can collect years’ worth of dirt.
Choose the Right Cleaner
It’s common to find DIY tips online recommending the use of soda, vinegar and other household ingredients to clean your car’s upholstery. While these can help with light stains, they often fall short when it comes to deep cleaning, removing tough grime or protecting your fabric and leather in the long run. For the best results, use what the professional detailers use.
What do professional detailers use on interiors? They use specialty interior car detailing supplies. These products are formulated to lift dirt effectively, eliminate odours, and condition materials without causing damage.
To choose the right interior car care products, you must consider the material you’ll be cleaning. That is because different materials require different cleaning approaches. Fabric seats and carpets, for example, are surfaces that tend to absorb spills, dirt and odours, so they require a product with a deep-cleaning formula to penetrate fibres to lift stains and grime.
Leather seats, on the other hand, require a gentler approach to maintain their softness and prevent cracking. Leather cleaners are usually pH-balanced to remove dirt without stripping the natural oils. Many also contain conditioners that replenish moisture, keeping the leather supple and preventing premature wear. Unlike fabric cleaners, which can be aggressive, leather care products often include UV protection to shield against sun damage and fading.
To avoid unwanted surprises, make sure you follow the instructions on the product. Most products require spraying it on the stain, letting it soak for a few minutes and wiping it off with a damp cloth. Once finished, leave the windows open to allow ventilation until your seats are completely dry. It’s also a good idea to try the product in an inconspicuous spot first, like under the seat or in a corner. This is a good way to ensure the cleaner won’t damage or change the colour of the upholstery.
Use a Fabric or Bristle Brush
For stubborn stains, you may need to use a brush for extra cleaning power. These brushes can make a big difference in getting rid of dirt that’s stuck on the upholstery. To clean fabric seats, you’ll want a soft-bristled brush. This kind of brush is gentle enough to remove dirt without causing damage to the material.
If your seats are covered in vinyl or a synthetic fabric, a brush with slightly stiffer bristles will work better. These materials can handle firmer scrubbing, allowing the brush to break up dirt and stains more effectively without harming the surface.
Consider a Steam Cleaner
A steam cleaner is an excellent tool for getting your car’s seats and carpets deep clean. The steam produced by these devices penetrated deep into the fabric and carpet fibres, effectively loosening dirt, grime and stains that regular cleaners may not remove. The high temperature of the steam also sanitises the surface by killing bacteria, mould and allergens while also neutralising odours trapped in fabrics and carpets.
Steam cleaners can be used to clean different kinds of surfaces, including cloth and vinyl. They can also be used in combination with a specialised upholstery cleaner for even more effective results. While steam alone does a great job of loosening dirt and sanitising surfaces, pairing it with an upholstery cleaner can help break down stubborn stains and provide additional protection for your car’s seats and carpets.
After steam cleaning, let the windows open to allow the interior of your vehicle to dry completely.
Be Careful With Water
You should use only a bit of water to clean the inside of your car. Soaking the seats of the foam padding with water could lead to damage, such as mould growth, unpleasant odours, and deterioration of the padding. Over time, this can lead to a weakened seat structure and an uncomfortable ride.
Instead of soaking the whole area, gently blot the stain with a clean cloth. This will help lift both the cleaner and the stain while preventing the seat from getting too wet. If there’s any moisture left behind, a quick blast from an air compressor can help dry it out, especially in those tricky spots like air vents and seat creases. Ensuring everything is completely dry is key to keeping your car fresh and free from unwanted odours or damage.
Tips for Preventing Stains
You probably know the old saying, ” prevention is better than cure”. So, taking a few preventative measures to keep your car’s interior clean may be easier than actually cleaning dirty and stained seats and carpets.
One of these preventative measures is to invest in fitted seat covers and all-weather floor mats to create a protective barrier against spills, dirt and everyday wear. They’re easy to clean and replace if needed.
Considering the fact that accidents are unpreventable, it is a good idea to keep a small cleaning kit in your car. Stock it with microfiber cloths, stain remover wipes, and a small spray bottle of upholstery cleaner for quick cleanups before stains set in. The longer the spill sits, the harder it becomes to remove. So, clean stains immediately with a clean cloth to soak up excess liquid, then use a suitable cleaner.