How to Wash Car Seats to Make Them Look Brand New

Car seats are subjected to wear and tear every day, accumulating the likes of dirt, spills, and stains over time. Maintaining the aesthetic appeal and cleanliness of your vehicle’s interior involves car seat washing; however, it’s important to carry out the proper techniques and use the correct tools if you want to restore them to their former glory and avoid damage.

Car Interior Cleaners

Can Car Seats Be Washed?

Before you start scrubbing away at your car seats, you must first ask whether they can actually be washed. Car seats can be washed, but you need to consider their material to determine the best course of action.

The Best Way to Wash Car Seats

Regardless of your car seats’ material, the best way to wash them involves a systematic approach and the use of the right cleaning products. Therefore, you should always start by removing any debris, crumbs, or loose dirt from the seats using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. This will help prevent dirt from being ground further into the fabric or leather during the cleaning process.

The Best Thing to Wash Car Seats With

In order to effectively remove stains and dirt from car seats, selecting the right cleaning solution is essential. For instance, fabric seats can benefit from a mild detergent diluted in water, and it’s particularly helpful if you opt for a cleaner that’s specifically formulated for automotive upholstery to ensure it’s compatible with the material. Meanwhile, leather seats require a pH-balanced leather cleaner that gently lifts dirt and grime without causing damage or drying out the material.

How to Wash Fabric Car Seats

Since fabric seats are prone to absorbing spills and stains, frequent cleaning Is essential to maintain their appearance. The following steps can be employed to wash fabric car seats effectively:

Once the seats are clean, use a damp cloth to remove soap residue and dry thoroughly with a clean towel before allowing them to air dry completely.
Dip a clean microfibre cloth or soft-bristled brush into the soapy water and gently scrub the seats, paying close attention to stained or spoiled areas.
Mix a small amount of mild detergent with water in a bucket.
Avoid saturating the fabric with excess water; this can prolong drying time and potentially cause mildew.
You might want to use a specialised upholstery cleaner or spot treatment product for stubborn stains – just make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

How to Wash Leather Car Seats

In order to prevent drying, cracking, or discolouration, leather seats require proper care. Putting the following steps in action will allow you to wash leather car seats safely:

Once the seats are clean, wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove excess cleaner and dry them with a clean towel.
Gently scrub the leather seats in a circular motion, paying close attention to areas with stains or discolouration.
Vacuum seats to remove surface debris and dirt.
Apply a small amount of pH-balanced leather cleaner onto a soft cloth or sponge.
Avoid the use of harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbing pads, as these can damage the leather’s protective coating.
Apply a leather conditioner using a separate clean cloth to maintain the leather’s suppleness and shine – be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Dealing with Specific Types of Stains

From food and beverages to grease and ink, car seats are subjected to a number of spills and stains. Therefore, it’s important to know how to tackle different types of stains effectively to maintain the cleanliness and appearance of your car’s interior. To that end, detailed below are some specialised tips for dealing with common types of stains:

Food and Beverage Stains:

For the likes of coffee, fizzy drinks, ketchup, and more, you need to act fast to blot up excess liquid with a clean cloth or paper towel (so long as you’re in a situation when it’s safe and legal to do so).
Following this, you should mix a small amount of mild detergent with water and gently scrub the stained area with a soft-bristled brush or cloth.
Then, you can rinse the area with clean water to remove soap residue and blot it dry with a clean towel.
A specialised upholstery cleaner or stain remover specifically designed for food and beverage stains can be used for stubborn stains.

Grease and Oil Stains:

Grease and oil stains from spills or dirty hands are some of the most challenging to remove from car seats.
Sprinkling an absorbent material, like baking soda or cornflour, over the stained area can help to lift the grease.
The absorbent materials should be left to sit for several hours (ideally overnight) and then vacuumed up using a brush attachment.
Apply a small amount of mild detergent mixed with water to the stained area and gently scrub it with a brush.
Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water and blot it dry with a towel.

Pet Stains:

Pet accidents can leave behind unpleasant odours and stubborn stains.

As long as it’s safe and legal to do so, blot up as much of the stain as possible with paper towels or a clean cloth.
Mix a solution of white vinegar and water in equal parts and spray it onto the stained area – vinegar helps to neutralise odours and break down stains.
Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes and blot the area with a clean cloth.
Finish off with a mild detergent solution and rinse and dry thoroughly.

Washing Car Seats with Frogchem

Here at Frogchem, we provide everything you need to wash car seats. Discover our range of car interior cleaners here.