Written by: Wrecktify Collision
Ketchup and mustard stains. Markers. Chewing gum. Dirt and grime. Grease.
It's only natural for our vehicles to require interior cleaning over time, but stains can be difficult to remove from the seats and upholstery. In this post, we'll discuss 12 tips to remove them for good. But first, let's discuss the benefits of a clean car.
Don't Ride Dirty, Ride Clean
"Ridin' Dirty" might be a fun song to drive to, but we wouldn't suggest taking it too literally. There are plenty of benefits associated with a clean car:
Benefits of a Clean Car
The benefits of a clean car extend beyond just looking great. Some other benefits include:
- Personal pride of ownership
- Reduced stress
- Higher resale value
- Health benefits (better indoor air quality)
1. Fight Stubborn Stains with the Cold
Ice can do more than keep your drinks cold - it can also harden and remove certain stains from your car's upholstery. Have any sticky stains that aren't able to be easily removed? Follow these steps:
- Apply a few ice cubes or an ice pack to the stain.
- After a minute or two, the stain should harden.
- After the stain hardens, try using a butter knife or flat-edge tool to remove the now-hardened stain.
2. Scout Your House for Easy Cleaning Solutions
Many stains can be removed with everyday products that you should be able to find around your home. Here's a look at three common household products that may be able to do the trick:
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is for more than keeping your teeth clean, but for removing stains on car seats as well. Just place a small amount of toothpaste on a microfiber cloth and apply it to the stain. You might even use a toothbrush to gently scrub the stain after the toothpaste is applied.
Dish Soap
Dish soap may not remove every stain, but it's one option to try. At a minimum, applying dish soap to a car seat stain is likely to fade it and make it less noticeable.
Olive Oil
Mix olive oil with vinegar and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the solution onto the car seat stain. Let it sit for 5 minutes and wipe it clean to remove certain stains.
3. Vacuum: Simple, Yet Effective
Before you attempt any type of stain removal, it's important to vacuum your vehicle's upholstery. A good, thorough vacuuming helps remove dirt and any other debris that may exist on the car seat, thereby preventing you from smearing it and creating a bigger mess when you go to remove any stains.
4. Try Vinegar Solutions
Vinegar is a wonder product - and one of its many applications involves stain removal. When mixed with hot water and applied to a stain, there's a great chance that it will do the trick and remove it completely. What's more, is that vinegar is a natural product, so you're not applying any harmful chemicals to your vehicle's seats. Follow these steps to clean with a vinegar solution:
- Apply the solution.
- Gently scrub the stain with a soft brush.
- As the stain fades, add warm water to wash away the remnants.
- Dry the area with a towel.
5. Blot Stains with Club Soda
Have any club soda lying around your house? Perhaps in your home bar? Using the carbonated water in club soda to remove stubborn stains is another great cleaning hack. What's more, is that it's simple to administer:
- Pour club soda into a spray bottle and apply it to the stain.
- Use a soft scrub brush to rub the soda into the stain.
- Wipe the area clean to see if the stain has faded.
- Repeat as necessary.
6. Treat Stains with Baking Soda
Baking soda won't just help clean your car seats, but deodorize too.
- Mix a quarter cup of baking soda with warm water until you get a sticky solution.
- Apply the solution to the stain with a toothbrush.
- Scrub the stain in a circular motion with the toothbrush.
- Let the solution sit for up to a half hour, then remove it.
7. Steam Clean Your Seats
Not everyone has a steam cleaner handy, but they can work wonders on car seat stains. They work by administering hot water deep into the fabric, thereby removing stains and anything else that has embedded itself into the car seat material.
8. Laundry Detergent Works Wonders
Liquid or powdered laundry detergent can also work wonders on stains. Just mix it with warm water and apply it to the stain to let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. After the solution sets in, scrub the area gently. As the stain is removed, take a cold cloth to remove excess residue.
9. Try Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish remover isn't necessarily just for removing... well, nail polish. It's also ideal for removing stains from car seats, especially leather fabric, and especially stains that result from markers. Just dab a cotton ball with some nail polish remover and blot the stain. It should lift pretty quickly. After the stain is gone, remove the excess nail polish remover from the area.
10. Try Store-Bought Solutions
Visit any auto supply store or the automotive section of your local hardware store, and you're likely to be met with a bevy of automotive cleaning products. Pick the one that you think best suits your vehicle and upholstery fabric and follow the directions on the label.
11. Stop it, Get Some Help
If you don't trust yourself with any of these DIY upholstery cleaning methods or none of them fully remove the stain, then it might be time to seek professional assistance.
Seek Professional Cleaning Assistance
A good automotive detailer will thoroughly clean your vehicle - from the exterior and the windows to the upholstery. At Wrecktify Collision, we offer three automotive detailing packages to suit the one that's best for your vehicle. Our interior-only service includes thorough vacuuming, the cleaning of all interior surfaces, and an interior shampoo.
12. Add a Protective Coating
Last but not least, one way to avoid stains is to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Prevent Stains from Happening
A good automotive derailer will apply a protective coating to your upholstery fabric that keeps stains on the surface and prevents them from setting. These protective coatings need to be reapplied regularly for the best results.
Contact Wrecktify Collision Today
For more information on how to remove stains from car seats and on professional auto detailing services, contact us today.
207 Hoesly Drive, New Glarus, WI 53574
608.527.2246