If you want to save a little bit of money on service, cleaning your vehicle's seats at home is easier than you may think! Follow our step-by-step guide to cleaning your car's interior, whether it be leather or fabric, and contact us at Elgin Toyota if you have any questions!
How to Clean Leather Car Seats
Things you'll need:
- Leather cleaner, saddle soap, mild leather soap, or 1 part white vinegar/2 parts linseed oil solution
- Microfiber towels
- Interior brush (soft-bristled, NOT a stiff carpet brush)
Instructions:
- Refer to your owner's manual for instructions specific to your model and possible products NOT to use.
- Carefully vacuum the seats to remove all particles, and be careful that you don't scratch the leather. Use the smaller attachments or an air compressor to get into the cracks.
- Spray your leather cleaner on the microfiber towel to wipe the seats clean to remove surface dirt and oils.
- Spray cleaner onto the seats (if you have perforated leather seats, spray onto the brush then apply it to the seats), and gently scrub the surface with the brush.
- Wipe the seats with a clean and dry microfiber towel.
How to Clean Fabric Car Seats
Things you'll need:
- Cleaning solution spray designed for fabric (NOT an all-purpose cleaner)
- Interior brush (soft or medium stiff bristles, NOT a stiff carpet brush)
- Microfiber towels
- Enough time for the seats to dry before driving the car anywhere
Instructions:
- Vacuum the seats to remove all particles of dust, dirt, and hair. Use the smaller attachments on your vacuum to get into the cracks and seams of each seat.
- If you have a lot of pet hair in your car, you may need to also wipe down the seat with a lint roller or a special pet hair removal tool.
- With the doors or windows open for ventilation, lightly spray the cleaning solution onto the area you need to clean. Avoid saturating the fabric to prevent mildew issues.
- Use the interior brush to massage the cleaning solution into the fabric.
- When suds start to appear, wipe them out of the fabric with the microfiber towel. If the fabric dries before you do this, the dirt will be pulled back into the fibers.
- Continue this process until the area is clean, then move on to the next section until you are satisfied with the condition of your seats.
- Vacuum the seats once more to accelerate the drying process. Let the seats finish drying before using the car.
Alternatives to Fabric Cleaner
- Laundry Detergent: Mix detergent with hot water and apply the solution with a spray bottle or sponge. Use cold water on a microfiber cloth to scrub and wipe the dirt away.
- Vinegar: One cup of vinegar, a few drops of dish soap, and a gallon of hot water can be mixed together and dabbed onto the seats and scrubbed with a brush. Use clean water and a microfiber towel to remove the dirt and suds.
- Baking Soda: ¼ cup of baking soda and one cup of warm water mixed together can be used with a toothbrush to scrub out stubborn stains. After scrubbing, let it sit for 30 minutes, then use a clean cloth or towel to blot away the stain.
- Club Soda: Use a spray bottle to apply a light layer of club soda to the fabric, and a soft-bristle brush to scrub out the stains. Be sure to wipe away the dirt as it comes to the surface.
Keep Your Vehicle In Top Shape at Elgin Hyundai
If you are busy and don't have enough time to spend on cleaning your vehicle's interior, schedule a service appointment at Elgin Toyota near Streamwood, and we will be happy to do that for you! Learn more helpful car care tips from our knowledgeable staff like how often I should wax my car, how to repair dents and scratches, how to check the transmission fluid, and so much more!
