Car seats are bound to get dirty at some point in time. Whether it happens on a long road trip to a holiday destination, or a short trip while dropping the kids off at school, spills that cause stains will happen at some point in time. If it’s happened to you and you’re wondering how to clean a dirty car seat, you don’t always need to visit the car wash. There are a number of products you can use to clean off and get stains out of your car seats.
When it comes to cleaning your car seats at home, you have the option of using a store-bought car seat cleaner or wash, or using one of the common household cleaning agents that most people have lying around. Follow along as we take you through the best ways to clean your car seats and leave them looking, smelling, and feeling brand new.
How To Clean Leather Car Seats
Leather seats are a favourite addition for car owners, and as such, they often do their best to keep them in brand new condition. Use one of the following methods to clean the premium quality of leather seats:
Tips:
- If you’re wondering how to clean leather car seats with holes because yours are perforated, use as little liquid as possible so that you don’t end up with damp seats.
- Vacuum before and after the cleaning methods below to make the job as easy and thorough as possible.
- Nail polish remover: Dip a piece of cotton wool into some nail polish remover and use it to blot the stained or dirty area. Keep blotting until the stain has lifted from the seat. Once the stain has successfully been removed, use a microfiber cloth dampened with a mixture of warm water and dishwashing liquid to clean off the nail polish remover.
- Rubbing alcohol: Use the same technique for rubbing alcohol as you did for nail polish remover. Remember to use new pieces of cotton wool whenever needed.
- Vinegar and dishwashing liquid: Make your own DIY cleaning product by mixing a cup of vinegar, 5 drops of dishwashing liquid, and 3,5 litres of hot water. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the mixture and rub it into the stained area. Scrub the stain out of the seat using a brush before rinsing off the seat with clean water and a cloth to soak it up.
How To Clean Cloth Car Seats
Even though they usually aren’t as costly as leather, cloth car seats still need to be kept clean and pristine for a pleasant driving experience. Use one of the following methods to keep your cloth car seats in great condition:
Tip:
- Vacuum before and after the cleaning methods below to make the job as easy and thorough as possible.
- Baking soda: Form your own cleaning solution by mixing a quarter cup of baking soda with a cup of warm water. Apply the solution to the stained area and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how stubborn the stain is. Once the time has passed, scrub the stained area with a toothbrush and wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth dampened with warm water.
- Sparkling water: For this rather simple solution, pour some sparkling water into a spray bottle and spray it onto the stained area. Use a toothbrush to then scrub away the stain before cleaning up with a microfiber cloth dampened with warm water.
- Vinegar and dishwashing liquid: Use the same steps and process mentioned above to clean your cloth car seats with vinegar and dishwashing liquid.
Car dealerships, mechanics, and other stores also sell all-purpose cleaners suitable for cleaning seats, as well as car cleaning products made specifically for your car seats. These are also a good option to restore the fresh look and smell of your car. Just make sure to get the right product suited to the material of your seats.
Depending on your lifestyle and the size of your family, you may need to clean your car seats more often than you realise. Luckily, the team at SweepSouth has put together the best home and cleaning tips to keep your car looking better than ever. For all your other cleaning service needs, contact a trusted and experienced SweepStar.