Auto upholstery cleaning tips and info

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Submitted by ruzzel01 on Fri, 02/05/2010 - 12:14

Cleaning upholstery in your car can be a daunting task. It does not have to be, however, and there are a few tips that can turn this time-consuming chore into a very simple task.

Whether cloth, leather, or vinyl, you may wish to remove the front seats from your vehicle for a deep cleaning to ease the strain on your back and legs from cleaning in a cramped space such as the cabin of your car, according to auto glass NY. To remove the seats, simply loosen the bolts that anchor the front seats to the floorboard of the car and lift the seats out. Be sure to take the time and effort to make certain that the dashboard and doors are not scratched as you remove the seats from the vehicle.

Once the front seats have been removed, you should be able to reach the back seats easily without having to remove the entire bench, which may not be possible depending on your vehicle’s make and model. To ensure that your seats stay clean once they are placed back inside, give the carpets a thorough vacuuming with a large shop vacuum or any high-powered vacuum with a hose attachment. Be certain to use a corner attachment to really get into the crevices of your car. If desired, a hand-held carpet shampooer or carpet cleaning solution can be used to give the carpets a deep cleaning. Carefully vacuum both the rear seats and the front seats, which were removed, to ensure that all surface dirt has been cleaned from the fabric or leather.

Mild soap and water or any gentle household upholstery cleaner will work wonders on cloth seats in your vehicle. Carefully wet the seats with a solution of 20% soap and 80% water, being careful not to saturate the material. If using upholstery cleaner, be certain to follow the directions on the bottle exactly, and try to avoid any cleaning solution which might leave residue or a strong odor in the car. For regular cleaning, simply use a white lint-free rag on the material. Use a soft-bristled tooth brush or upholstery brush on cracks, crevices, and seams. This method can be used on rear seats still in the vehicle as well as on the seats that were removed.

After cleaning, rinse completely with pure water, again being careful not to saturate your seats. The foam under the cloth material will take a while to dry, and you want to be sure to only partially wet the surface of the seats so that you will not end up with a mold culture growing inside your seats. If you have parked your car in the garage or in any other area with easy access to a power outlet, a hair dryer set to low heat and a clean, dry upholstery brush will help to dry your seats faster. Leave the front seats out of the vehicle as they dry, and do not close the doors so that your rear seats will have plenty of air to help them dry out quickly.

If your upholstery is leather or vinyl, you will need a good leather conditioner and cleaner to work on it. In the case of leather, you will need to find out if your leather is treated or untreated. Treated leather is usually coated with a very thin layer of plastic or sealant. Treated leather may be cleaned just as if you are cleaning vinyl. Untreated leather will require special products, and you should consult your owner’s manual or your dealership before continuing. You may also perform a water-droplet test to determine the type of leather your vehicle has.

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Auto upholstery cleaning tips and info