A lot of time is spent sat in our cars, and so it is important that the interior is kept clean, not just for appearances, but also hygiene. In this guide, we will show you how to clean your car seats, the most effective ways to maintain them and how to tackle animal hairs and remove stains.
What You’ll Need
The equipment you’ll need before you start cleaning your car seats includes:
- Vacuum
- Cleaning cloth
- Scrub brush
- Leather cleaner (for leather seats)
- Fabric cleaner (for cloth and fabric seats)
- Bucket of warm water
- Spray bottle (optional)
How To Clean Leather Car Seats
1: Vacuum First
Before applying any upholstery cleaner, begin by vacuuming up any loose debris, such as hair and food crumbs. Use the vacuum gently when cleaning on the seat’s surface and between the gaps, as leather can become scratched if the vacuum is brushed too vigorously against it.
Some vacuums can be equipped with different suction heads. It is recommended to use a wide head instead of the narrow nozzle; this will clean over a larger area. You can then use a narrow head to vacuum between the seat gaps.
2: Apply The Cleaner
It’s now time to add the leather upholstery cleaner to your car seats. The cleaning product should come with instructions explaining the best way to apply it to the leather, and how much warm water you need to create your cleaning solution. A spray bottle can also be used to contain the solution and control how much you are applying.
Once the stain is covered in the cleaning product, use the cloth to mix the solution into the stain. As leather becomes cleaner, it will look matte and less shiny, so use this as your indicator that the stains are being lifted. Lightly apply more solution if the stain does not come off after a few wipes.
3: Dry And Condition The Seats
Your car’s seats should now be stain-free. Use a fresh cloth to mop up any excess water on the leather; it should now only be damp to the touch or dry.
To give your leather seats an extra layer of protection, you can also apply leather conditioner, which will help restore the material’s natural oils and leave it nourished.
How To Clean Fabric Car Seats
1: Vacuum First
As you would when cleaning leather seats, start by vacuuming up any debris on the seats and between gaps. Use a wider nozzle head to clean the tops of the seats, and a narrow head to vacuum between the seat gaps.
2: Clean The Seats
After vacuuming up any loose debris, follow the instructions on your fabric cleaner to see how much warm water you need to add. You will now have your cloth cleaning solution. Use a spray bottle to control the amount of solution being applied more accurately.
Apply the solution to any stained areas and use your bristle brush to scrub the cleaner into the affected parts of the seats. Let the solution soak into the fabric for a few minutes.
3: Dry The Seats
Now that the cleaning solution has been worked into the stains, use a cloth to wipe away any excess water; you can also gently dab to soak it up. Cleaning your seats on a warm day will help them dry quicker.
Some fabric cleaners will help protect the fabric or cloth over time by shielding the seats from further stains. Some dirt may still find its way in, but this extra protection can save you additional cleaning down the road.
As the weather turns colder, how you clean and maintain your car will also change. Check out our guide on the best ways to protect your vehicle during the autumn and winter months.