How To Clean Car Seats

News & Events - 29/04/2024

How To Clean Your Car Seats

There’s no better feeling than stepping into a perfectly clean car. From the daily commute to work, shuttling the kids here and there, doing a million errands, or even hitting the road for a well-deserved getaway – we all clock plenty of hours into our cars. That’s why it’s crucial to keep your ride feeling brand new and pristine—not just from an aesthetic perspective, but for hygiene too.

Car seats can be a challenge to maintain, often collecting dirt, stains, and occasionally persistent odours. However, there’s no need to worry. We’re here to guide you through the process of cleaning them so your seats look and smell as if they’ve just been professionally detailed. Ready to get started?

Necessary Tools and Products

Here’s what you’ll need to effectively clean your seats, as recommended by the car cleaning experts at Grand Wash Auto:

• Vacuum Cleaner with an Upholstery Attachment: Start by removing loose dirt and debris. An appropriate vacuum is essential for prepping your seats for a deeper clean. 

If your at-home vacuum cleaner can’t do the trick, come visit us at Grand Wash Auto and use one of our car-specific vacuum cleaners.

• Appropriate Cleaning Solutions: Whether your seats are fabric or leather, ensure the cleaning solution is suitable. If you’re unsure about what is the right cleaning solution for you, refer to your car’s guidelines for the best results.

• Microfiber Cloths: Perfect for wiping down surfaces gently and without leaving scratches. Use these cloths slightly damp for the best possible finish.

• Soft-Bristle Brush: These are a necessity for gently scrubbing away stubborn and persistent stains on fabric seats.

• Stain Remover and Shampoo (for fabric seats):Opt for products specifically designed for your cars upholstery to effectively mitigate tough stains.

• Leather Cleaner and Conditioner (for leather seats):  Maintain the condition of your leather seats with products specially formulated for car interiors.

Using the right tools does more than just make cleaning easier; it helps protect your car’s interior, ensuring it looks and feels great for years to come.

Tailored Approaches for Fabric and Leather

Cleaning Fabric Seats

Fabric seats can capture every drip, drop, and dribble of life’s little messes. Here’s our method on how to give those storied spots a fresh start:

• Vacuum First: Kick things off with a thorough vacuuming. Use an upholstery attachment to remove loose debris and crumbs that have gathered over time.

• Spot Cleaning: Tackle spills and stains as soon as they happen. Opt for a stain remover suitable for your car’s upholstery. Follow the application directions closely, and dab gently with a microfiber cloth to lift the stain without spreading it further.

• Deep Cleaning: For a truly deep clean, evenly apply an upholstery cleaner all over the seat. Use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub the cleaner into the fabric, pulling up grime from the fibres.

• Drying Out: Allow your seats to air dry completely. Patience is key here; rushing the drying process could leave you with damp cushions and a dampened mood!

Cleaning Leather Seats

The allure of leather seats is undeniable, and with the right care, you can maintain their upscale look and feel for the lifespan of your car:

• Start with Vacuuming: Start by vacuuming your leather seats to remove surface dirt and dust. Make sure to get into the crevices to ensure they’re free from debris.

• Mild Cleaning Solution: Prepare a mild leather cleaning solution suitable for your seats. We highly recommend a gentle application using a soft cloth to avoid scratching the leather.

• Wiping Down: Next, use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe off any residue from the cleaner. This step also helps lift up any lingering stains without damaging the leather.

• Conditioning: After cleaning, treat your seats with a leather conditioner. This step is crucial as it keeps the leather soft and prevents cracks, ensuring your seats remain resilient and beautiful.

• Complete Drying: Allow the leather ample time to dry completely before you use your car again. This prevents any moisture-related issues and keeps the leather in prime condition. The time it takes for your leather seats to dry can vary, but we’d recommend factoring in at least a couple of hours for this portion of the process.

Regular Maintenance

Daily and Weekly Cleaning Routines

Maintaining your car seats in top shape can often be simpler than it sounds. Here are some simple steps to follow from our team of car cleaning pros:

• Quick Wipe Down:  Each day, take a moment to brush off your seats with a microfiber cloth. This quick step helps prevent dirt from settling in deeply. If you can’t commit to doing this daily, even making this a part of your weekly routine would be extremely beneficial for the cleanliness of your car seats.

• Weekly Vacuum: Once a week, grab the vacuum and its upholstery attachment to suck out any debris that’s burrowed a bit deeper. Don’t have an upholstery attachment or a vacuum that does the trick at home? No worries—come down to Grand Wash Auto and use our car vacuum designed specifically for the job.

• Spot Check: Keep an eye out for new stains. If you spot any, tackle them quickly with a mild cleaner that’s suited to your seat’s material.

• Air Out: Make it a habit to let fresh air flow through your car regularly. This helps keep any mustiness at bay and maintains a fresher interior.

Looking for a the best car wash in Melbourne? Visit Grand Wash Auto for our Express Wash packages, where every wash includes a free vacuum, and 4WDs are welcomed at no extra charge. Enjoy our state-of-the-art facility with 100% recycled water and a 100% safe wash guarantee.