7 Useful Tips to Get Stains Out of Fabric Car Seats
June 11th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
Was it the coffee that went flying when you hit that bump, or the soda that seeped into the fabric and stained your seat, or the chewing gum that you scratched at and picked apart, but still remains?
Whatever caused your stain, there’s no need for you to use a professional car seat cleaning company or take your car to a costly detailer. With a little know-how, which we’ll provide, and a little elbow grease, which you’ll provide, you will be able to clean your fabric car seats so they shine like new.
How to get stains out of fabric car seats
The spills and stains in your car can become embedded in the fabric of your upholstery. Don’t delay, because the more time that passes, the odor will set in and engulf the interior of your car.
Everyone who owns a car wants to know how to get stains out of fabric car seats Here are seven simple, straightforward tips that will do the trick. No pain, no stain!
1. Pre-cleaning
It doesn’t hurt do start with a little vacuuming. Attached the stiff brush to the vacuum and remove any loose dirt, food, or other materials that don’t belong in your car.
2. Use baking soda if you have a nasty stain that covers a small area.
Baking soda? That’s right, it happens to be an effective cleaner and deodorizer, and super inexpensive. As you will see, how to clean fabric car seats is part art and part science. If you don’t have any, go to the store and get some. When you return, find an old tooth brush. Then you’re ready to get started.
Pour ¼ cup of baking soda in a small bowl and mix with warm water. That’s your solution. Now apply it to the area that has the stained fabric, and use the toothbrush, rotating it in a circular motion, so the bristles can work the stain out.
For more difficult stains, let the solution seep into the stain for a half-hour before you scrub it. Dampen a clean cloth and use it to clean away any residue.
3. Club soda
Isn’t club soda for mixing cocktails? Yes, but it’s also considered by some to be the best way to clean fabric car seats. Club soda is essentially carbonated water with extra minerals like potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate. If you’re wondering how to get stains out of fabric car seats, a club soda-based solution could do the magic. It is most suitable for small stains but probably not your go-to solution for heavy-duty cleaning.
Here’s all you need to do:
Pour club soda into a spray bottle, and then spray it on to the fabric of the car seat. Use a scrub brush to deepen the soda into the fabric and loosen the dirt. Then use a clean towel to wipe away any remaining moisture. You see, how to clean fabric car seats is easier than you ever imagined.
4. Use vinegar
Another more powerful alternative is using vinegar, which is usually better and less costly than any professional car seat cleaning method.
Create the solution by combining one gallon of hot water with one cup of vinegar into a bucket, and then add a little dish soap for good measure.
Apply the solution to the stain and let it seep into the fabric. Use a soft brush to scrub the area and watch the stain disappear! Then, pour a small amount of warm water over the area, to remove the soap. Use a dry microfiber towel to wipe away any remaining moisture. Make sure your car door windows are open, so it can air dry.
5. Laundry detergent
To pull this off, you can use either liquid or powdered detergent. Make the solution by mixing the detergent with some warm water in a bucket. Pour some of the solution onto the stain, allowing it to seep in. Don’t be too generous with the solution, so as not to saturate the car seat.
Use a cloth to clean and scrub your target area on the seat, increasing pressure on the stain as needed. After the stain has faded, wet a second cloth with cold water and use it to remove any remaining residue from the seat. Let the seat air dry with your car windows open.
6. Use a professional car seat cleaning product
Instead of concocting your own solution, you can go to the store and buy an upholstery cleaner for your car. Apply the cleaner to your car fabric, per the instructions, and don’t use more than is required.
Allow the cleaner to sit on the fabric for five minutes. To remove the stain, use a wet cloth to scrub the stained area. Really work it in good, adding more cleaner as needed.
If that doesn’t do the trick, use a soft-bristled brush over the area. When done, rinse your target area with warm water to get rid of the residue, and gently press a dry cloth over the area.
Make sure your windows are open and wait at least an hour before sitting on the seat.
7. Steam cleaning
If you have had it with scrubbing, maybe it’s time to bring in your secret weapon, a heavy-duty, steam cleaning machine. As we said previously, make sure first to vacuum or clean the seats to get rid of any debris, trash, and easy to remove dirt.
Steaming is one of the most powerful and effective techniques, and can remove not only the stain but any odor too. Many people will attest that it’s the best way to clean fabric car seats. This method, which blows hot water onto a fabric surface and uses suction to remove the grime, is appropriate if your car is very dirty.
You should notice a world of difference right away. Not just the way it looks, but that refreshing smell! If the stain doesn’t disappear entirely, then try the brush attachment. When done, open the windows and let the car air dry.
Bonus Tip
Get rid of gum or chocolate stains using this tried and true method:
Grab an ice pack or ice cubes and place it over the chocolate or gum stain for ten minutes. Give it some time to freeze, and then the substance should come right off. If any remains, use a butter knife to scrape off the rest.
To summarize, if you have a car stain, why spend good money on a professional car seat cleaning company when you can do it yourself? In this blog-post, we showed you how to clean fabric car seats using everyday household products like baking soda and vinegar.
What is the best way to clean fabric car seats? That’s really for you to decide; try different methods and see what works for you. We hope our tips on how to get stains out of fabric car seats were useful, and also saved you time and money.
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto San Rafael, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing the Marin County.
