According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average person with a car in the United States travels roughly 13,000 miles per year. With so much time spent sitting in a car, your car seat is likely to get soiled at some point.
Regular cleaning, like oil and filter changes and other basic mechanical maintenance jobs, can help extend the life of your car’s interior. Spending a little effort each week keeping your car clean and hygienic will pay off in the long term.
So, today I am going to tell you about how to clean car seats. Keep these nine ideas in mind to clean car seats like a pro. So, let’s get started.
How To Clean Car Seats?
Here are the most effective steps to clean car seats.
Start with Vacuuming
Vacuuming automobile seats thoroughly as the initial cleaning step makes the rest of the operation go more smoothly. Not only will this remove dust, debris, and pet hair, but it will also prevent you from pushing it deeper into the seat padding.
To reach into all the wrinkles on the seat, experts recommend vacuuming using a gentle brush head. To reach between the seat and the console, as well as other hard-to-reach areas, use the crevice tool on your vacuum.
Don’t Skip Stain Treatments
Ground-in dirt, melting chocolate, and grease stains from drive-thru cuisine may all leave a permanent mark on car seats. With a gentle scrubbing brush, gently work an upholstery or leather cleaner into the stain.
Avoid scrubbing too hard on leather to avoid scratching the surface. Always try a new cleaner (store-bought or homemade) in a hidden area to make sure it won’t stain or damage your car upholstery.
Also Read: How to clean golf balls?
Try Homemade Solutions
Make a homemade car seat cleaning solution using a few ordinary household items in your kitchen. In a spray bottle, combine two cups water, one cup vinegar, and about a spoonful of dish soap.
Lightly spray any stains or particularly unclean areas, scrub carefully, then rinse with clean water. To absorb any remaining moisture, dab the area with a microfiber towel.
More Isn’t Better
Water and cleaning should be used sparingly. These liquids might soak into the seat and take a long time to dry off. Because it cleans without using a lot of water, a dry foam cleaner is ideal for cleaning fabric seats.
Avoid using anything that could saturate cloth seats, causing the foam to become wet, as this can contribute to mold growth. Furthermore, many dry foam cleansers include built-in brushes, which make scrubbing even easier.
Use a leather cleaner and conditioner on your leather seats. Paying close attention to any wrinkles in the seats as well as any areas where skin or hair comes into touch with the leather.
Clean from Top to Bottom
Move on to a thorough washing after you’ve finished vacuuming and stain treatment. Start at the top and work your way down so that any unclean solution flows down.
If your brush becomes dirty, rinse it in clean water and shake it to eliminate any excess moisture.
Also Read: How to clean the bottom of shoes?
Hit Every Part
Spend some time cleaning the other seat components, such as the seat belt and buckle, in addition to the headrest, back, and seat. Don’t forget about the front of the seat, where your legs will hit, and underneath the seat.
Dry Thoroughly
Allow several hours or overnight for your freshly cleaned car seats to dry. Using an absorbent microfiber towel to remove extra moisture will speed up the process.
Give Special Considerations for Leather
Keep in mind that leather interiors necessitate leather-specific products. Conditioning after cleaning requires one extra step, but the extra work is well worth it.
A good leather conditioner will keep the leather moist, which will prevent cracking, as well as provide UV protection to keep the color.
Consider Seat Protectors
Cleaning your car seats thoroughly and on a regular basis will keep them looking new, but seat coverings can also help. There are a number of temporary seat covers on the market that you can apply in a snap before your outing if you have a highly active lifestyle and spend a lot of time at the beach, or if you’re into running or cycling and return back to your car a bit sweaty and dirty.
These coverings come off as easily and quickly as they go on, and most are machine washable when you get home.
Choose coverings that are specific to your vehicle’s make and model. Make sure they work with airbags and seat belts. For recommendations on aftermarket accessories such as seat covers, consult your owner’s handbook.
The Bottom Line
I hope you understood all the important tips for cleaning your car seats. If you apply these methods, please comment below your experience. Thank you for reading this blog. Have a good day!