All you need are a few common products and a little time. Keep reading to learn how to remove stains from car seats so they look like new again.
Clean all car seats thoroughly using a stiff-bristled brush to remove pet hair, food, and dirt, as well as any stuck-on residue. Think of it as a pre-treatment for your interior. Once you’ve lightened that layer of stain, it’ll be easier to clean stains deeper in the car seat. Also, learn how to put seat covers on to protect them.
You don’t need an expensive spray to remove stains from your car seats; you can make an effective cleaner using ingredients you have in your pantry. For vinyl seats, Rudman recommends using a mixture of water and vinegar or an all-purpose cleaner. For fabric seats, an automotive upholstery cleaner is your best bet. For leather seats, you’ll need a specialized cleaner that won’t dry out the material, he says.
“If you’re doing it yourself, a mild dish soap mixed with warm water can help, but be sure to condition the leather afterwards,” says Rudman.
For stains like coffee and blood, Kukia recommends using a specialized kit. “Dishwashing liquid can be used on some seats, but always test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area before using it on all surfaces,” he says. “From a mechanic’s perspective, I always prefer steaming, shampooing, and extracting the seats for maximum, deep cleaning, but the above methods can tackle stains or at least reduce their severity before deep cleaning.”
After applying the cleaning solution to the stain, buff it with a microfiber cloth until the stain is gone. “If the stain is more stubborn, a soft-bristled brush designed for cloth and vinyl seats works best,” says Rudman. “It’s firm enough to remove stains but gentle enough not to damage the material.”
For leather seats, he recommends using a special leather brush with very soft bristles to avoid scratching. “Microfiber cloths are great for blotting and wiping down any material after cleaning,” he says.
Residual moisture from leather or vinyl seats is easy to remove, but if you have cloth seats, water stains may remain. Use an old towel to soak up as much moisture as possible, then open the windows and let the car air dry. This is also a good time to use leather care wipes to repair and seal any rips or holes in the leather.
Kukiya says, “If you use anything that might get the seat wet, be sure to ventilate it well