Cleaning Car Seats: Expert Tips and Tricks

A Brush With a Vacuum

Start by vacuuming the interior thoroughly, picking up stray coins (reclaim them later), crumbs, leaves, hair, errant french fries, dirt, and dust. Press down firmly for maximum grime extraction.

For a thorough job, first take out child safety seats. It isn’t necessary to entirely remove the seats, but it can be helpful to really go to town. If that’s not practical, bucket seats should be tilted forward to get into the joints of the upper and lower seat sections.

Handy auto vacuums plug into the car’s 12-volt power supply. These vary widely in price but start at just $25. Remember to empty the bag often. Use the upholstery tool or soft brush head, and go over the carpets with the mini rotating brush tool if it’s included.

Most vacuum kits come with an attachment that can reach the narrow crevices between the seats. A handheld upholstery or bristle brush and regular vacuum works great, too. Remove as much dried out dust, pet hair, and caked on crud as possible before using liquid or foam cleaners.

Read this: The Wonderful World of Car Detailing Brushes

Treat the Stains

Especially if you have kids, your seats will show their battle scars. The damage is likely from ground-up Cheerios, melted chocolate, fast-food grease, and dirt from outside.

Go after these unsightly stains with a quality upholstery cleaner. A cup of white vinegar diluted in a gallon of water is also an effective seat stain cleaner, and what you’ve heard about club soda as a cleaning agent is true. Baking soda on stains is also effective. There so many other cleaning hacks, from toothpaste to baby wipes. Return to the carpets and treat any stubborn stains the vacuuming missed.

Always do a spot test in an out-of-the-way place first to ensure your cleaner isn’t causing more problems than it solves. Once satisfied, really rub the product in with a soft scrubbing brush—nothing too stiff. Some cloth cleaners claim to be equally effective on leather, but you may want to choose a product especially intended for hides. Wipe up any excess, and don’t use too much cleaner because it can leave a lasting smell. Nitrile gloves offer protection from cleaning chemicals.

Clean the Cloth

Once you’ve dealt with the tough stains, it’s time to go over the whole seat—don’t forget the front seat backs or the top of the rear seat. You’ll need an upholstery cleaner and a soft brush to clean the cloth. Some experts say all-purpose cleaners are too harsh for your vehicle’s interior, but others say they’re okay.

Do a spot test on an unseen section of upholstery material and check the manufacturer’s instructions before wiping the whole seat down with the brush. Take up any excess with a clean microfiber towel, then blot dry with a second clean towel. Don’t use so much cleaner that you’ll saturate the surface.

Child Seat Cleaning

It’s no secret that kids’ car seats can get particularly gross in a hurry, so you’ll need to trot out the big guns to clean them. Obviously, the first step is vacuuming, and you’ll want some power behind that suction.

Try the cordless vac, but if that doesn’t work, you may need to drag the home or shop unit out on a long extension cord. Use the crevice tool for the deep-rooted organic material. Don’t forget the brush. You can also use portable carpet and upholstery cleaning machines.

Leather and Vinyl Treatment

The cleaning process is similar. Read the label and spot-test the product first. If all goes well, then spray and wipe clean with your microfiber towels or cloths. Rinse only if necessary.

For an extra layer of leather protection, use a conditioner, which guards against UV rays and can bring out the leather’s natural oils, helping keep it moist and prevent cracking. If you use a foam product, a soft, wet cloth rubbed in circular motions will get it lathered up and working. Buff with a dry cloth, going over areas such as headrests multiple times if necessary.

Don’t Forget the Details

• Soft padded seat upholstery sections are usually plastic and will respond to a vinyl cleaner.
• Deep crevices can be cleaned out with a shot of compressed air.
• Clean those ashtrays and cupholders, which can get filthy fast. If they’re detachable, immerse them in soapy water, rinse and then wipe them dry. Use a wet cloth if they’re not removable.
• Steering wheels and door handles can be germ factories, so clean them with a disinfectant spray, allow them to air dry, and then buff them with your microfiber towels. Leather-wrapped wheels can be attacked with a disinfecting wipe.

Now that your seats and interior are all cleaned up, consider preventative measures. Not eating in the car, avoiding driving while drinking that 64-ounce soda, stowing an onboard trash can or a dog car seat can help keep the inside of your ride from getting dirty.

Remember, you can always install seat covers if you want to avoid regular seat cleaning.