Upholstery Cleaners

What Is Car Upholstery Cleaner?

A good car upholstery cleaner cleans fabric and synthetic seats inside a car. It removes dirt, grease and stains without damaging the material. It works deep inside the fibers of the seat. Instead of spreading dirt around, it lifts it out so you can wipe it or vacuum it away. The best upholstery cleaners are easy to control because they do not create too much foam and do not leave the seat soaking wet. As a result, cleaning is safer, and drying is faster.

Types of Upholstery and Stains

Car seats are made from natural fabric, synthetic fabric, leather, and more, and they all get dirty in different ways. Common upholstery stains include food spills, drink marks, sweat, mud, dust and pet hair. Fresh stains are always easier to remove. Old stains need more time and patience.

Fabric seats soak up dirt easily. Sweat, food, drinks and dust slowly build up and change the colour of the fabric. With time, stains become harder to remove and smells stay inside the material. Synthetic seats are a bit easier to clean, but they still collect dirt. Grease from clothes and skin builds up on the sides of the seats and on areas that are touched often.

How to Clean Car Upholstery Properly

Start with vacuuming. This step should be first because loose dirt, sand and crumbs need to be removed before using any cleaner. If you skip vacuuming, dirt will be pushed deeper into the seat. Then, apply the upholstery cleaner evenly, but do not use too much of it. The seat should be damp, not wet. If the seats stay wet for a long time, they will smell bad.

Work the cleaner gently into the material using a soft brush or cloth. There is no need to scrub hard. The product will do its magic and, after cleaning, wipe the seat with a clean microfiber towel to remove moisture and dirt. Let the seats dry naturally. To speed it up, open doors or windows. Do not use a hair dryer or anything like that. Fo windows, use car window cleaners.

FAQ – Car Upholstery Cleaner

Can I use household carpet cleaner on car seats?
It is better not to because household cleaners are not formulated for car fabrics, and they also leave residue. When you use them, there is too much moisture. Use an automotive upholstery cleaner instead.

What is the difference between fabric and leather cleaner?
Fabric cleaner penetrates fibers to break down dirt. Leather cleaner is gentler, and does not dry out leather. Using fabric cleaner on leather strips oils and causes cracking. Using leather cleaner on fabric does not clean deep enough. Use a product that is dedicated to your car's upholstery.

Can upholstery cleaner remove old stains?
Fresh stains come off easily with an upholstery cleaner. Old stains bonded to fibers are harder. They might need multiple treatments or will not come out completely. Your best chance is to use a strong upholstery cleaner.

Should I scrub hard to remove stains?
Do not scrub hard. Apply the product with a soft brush and let it work. In case of stubborn stains, repeat the treatment, do not scrub harder.

How to remove pet fur from the car?
First, vacuum all fur with a vacuum cleaner. Then, rub the surface in one direction with silicone brush or rubber gloves. You can also use a lint roller for stubborn bits. At the end, use an upholstery cleaner.