How to Clean Car Upholstery and Disinfect Surfaces

We know that removing stains from leather or cloth car seats can be a big challenge. Coffee stains? Meal? Do not worry! I kept reading and learned how to clean car upholstery effectively.
Cleaning and disinfecting our car regularly is key to reducing the risk of contagion of diseases, such as the coronavirus and enjoying the many hours we spend there. A clean car is more comfortable and safer, especially since it is a space that we use every day and share with other people.
In this article, we will explain in detail how to disinfect the car and each of its interior parts and, above all, how to clean the car upholstery according to the material from which they are made. In addition, in this guide, we also explain how to clean the car upholstery with natural products and remove the different most common stains.

How to clean the interior of the car

Before explaining how to wash car seats, we will start with the interior:

1. First, carefully vacuum the entire interior . Vacuum carpets, ceiling, vents, and seats.
2. Disinfect the most exposed surfaces. The most contaminated surfaces of the car are those with which we have the most contact: the steering wheel, the gear lever, the parking brake, the seat belt, the door handles, the mirrors and the buttons and displays on the console. central. To disinfect them, moisten a soft cloth in a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water (70% alcohol – 30% water) or use any antibacterial cleaner, such as Cif 2-in-1 Trigger . Wipe the surfaces and allow to dry naturally for about 10 minutes.

How to wash car upholstery

Some upholstery may require a special method to be used, so before thinking about how to clean car seats, check your vehicle manual to see if the manufacturer offers any special advice on cleaning or maintenance.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean car upholstery, depending on the material it is made from, so that the seats show up and do not get damaged.

Helpful Tip: Before you begin, test any product on a small inconspicuous area of ​​the upholstery. This way, you make sure it doesn’t get damaged.

How to clean fabric car upholstery

Now, we explain how to clean car upholstery at home and leave them as if they had been treated by a professional or even better:

1. Start by vacuuming the seats.Use a regular vacuum with the brush attachment or a small portable vacuum to suck up any grime that the seats may have. This will prevent traces of dirt from remaining while you wash them.
2. Fill a bucket with cold water and another with hot water.Add a tablespoon of regular laundry detergent to the bucket of hot water to use as a car upholstery cleaner. We recommend you opt for Ala liquid soap to dilute .Remember to always follow the instructions on the product and use small amounts to avoid generating a lot of foam.
3. Dip a sponge in the bucket of hot water and scrub thoroughly.Squeeze the sponge well to avoid excess water on the seats.
4. I dipped a towel in the bucket of cold water.Once the seats look clean and are evenly moistened, use the towel to wipe the dirt and excess detergent off the surface of the seat.
5. I repeated this process for a better result.A final tip to keep in mind when thinking about how to wash car seats: do not rub the sponge or towel with force as you can discolor the upholstery.

Once you’re done, open the doors to allow the car to air out and the product to evaporate.

How to clean leather car upholstery

Above all, always remember that the leather upholstery of a car must be cleaned very carefully and always use a special product for this type of fabric. However, vacuuming them as often as necessary is okay.

To find out how to clean leather upholstery flawlessly and keep it in perfect condition, read this step-by-step guide:

1. Vacuum the seats and the rest of the interior of the car.You will be able to easily remove food debris and dirt.
2. Wipe a flannel slightly moistened with water over the leather upholstery.Make sure to squeeze it well to avoid excess water.
3. Once dry, apply moderate amounts of leather upholstery cleaner.We recommend Cif Ultra Shine , which is ideal for cleaning leather. Do this using a damp cloth or chamois and wipe the seats thoroughly.Remember to always follow the instructions on the container.
4. Remove the product with a microfiber cloth.Pay attention that no product remains.
5. Let the seats dry.Be surprised with the results!

If you want, as a final step, you can use this super tip. Because we not only teach you how to clean leather seats, but also how to leave them impeccable. Use a leather conditioner to properly maintain the upholstery: these products help the leather of the seats retain and recover its natural oils, and prevent the surface from drying out and cracking throughout the life of the car.

Always read the label and follow the instructions to know how to properly clean leather upholstery with these products.

How to clean car upholstery with natural products

If you don’t want to use commercial products to wash your car upholstery because you prefer more natural options, keep reading these steps on how to clean car seats with natural ingredients.

In particular, we are going to explain how to clean car seats with baking soda. This product has the advantage of being an excellent stain remover.

You will need :

Lemon juice Baking soda A brush

How to use it?

1. Mix the lemon juice with the baking soda to make a paste.Apply it on the stained areas with the help of an old toothbrush.
2. Let the paste sit for 15-20 minutes or until it is dry.The baking soda will absorb the stain.
3. Vacuum to remove the bicarbonateAnd the stains will no longer be there! How cleaning car seats is no longer a problem!

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How to remove stains from car upholstery

In addition to bicarbonate, which is used in general for all stains, we leave you some tips on how to clean car seats according to the type of stain.

If we have young children, it is likely that we will have, at some point, stains on the upholstery. To remove stains, the first thing to do is act fast. Clean the stain with soap and water, rub with the help of a brush.

Take note:

1. Ink.To remove ink stains, mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a spray container. Spray on the stain and with a dry cotton cloth and remove the ink that is going to come off the upholstery. Try the product first in a non-visible area.
2. Coffee.Coffee stains are very common on car upholstery. To remove them, spray the area with an all-purpose trigger cleaner and a little water. Dry with a clean cloth.
3. Chocolate.To clean the upholstery of a car with chocolate stains, use liquid soap and a damp cloth. Repeat the process if necessary.
4. Gum.Did you get gum stuck to the seat and you wonder how the car upholstery is cleaned in this case? Don’t worry, run an ice cube over the gum until it hardens well, then remove it with a spatula or a blunt knife to avoid damaging the fabric.

Final tips on how to clean car seats

Knowing how to clean car seats is not difficult if you followed the guide that we have just shown you and do regular maintenance on them.

We are going to finish with two general tips so that your seats do not get ruined during cleaning:

• Never apply a product directly on the object to be cleaned.
• Wash your car in the shade. It is important that you try not to wash it in the sun, since excessive heat dries the products quickly, preventing them from acting correctly.

You no longer have an excuse! Now that you know how to clean the upholstery of the car and leave it impeccable, it is time to get to work.

Read more: 

• How To Clean Glass And Windows With Perfect Results
• Top 5 Advantages Of Hiring Professional Cleaning Services