How To Clean Car Seats In 5 Easy Steps

Few things are more frustrating for a car owner than seeing stains take over the car seats. Not only are the spots unattractive, but they are one of the top causes of agitated car temper tantrums, as they can be difficult to remove. Moreover, stains give an untidy appearance, diminishing the overall value of your vehicle. If caught early on, removing stains and dirt from your car seats can be really simple, you just need to know how to clean them properly.

And, in this article, I’ll tell you all about it...

Why Car Seats Get Dirty

Whether driving your car to work, dropping off the kids, buying groceries, road tripping, or taking your furry friend to the vet, your car interior sees much of you, and frequently. And car seats are the ones most likely to take the first hit when it comes to wear and tear. 

The reason car seats get so dirty is no rocket science. We restfully lean back on them every time we jump into the car, and we do so wearing clothes that have collected dust, dirt, pet hair, and all sorts of other debris. On top of that, most of us don’t shy away from bringing snacks, drinks, or downright entire meals when driving around. 

It’s no wonder that car seats can become dirty and in need of a makeover in no time — especially if covered in fabric. 

So what can you do about dirty seats? How can you turn things around when it comes to the cleanliness of your car’s interior? 

Many of you might have looked into cleaning treatments you could apply yourself but were afraid to ruin the tapestry. Thankfully there’s an easy way for you to get the results you’re after...clean, spotless seats.

Since I know just how daunting it can be to start something on your car without knowing whether it would work or not, today I share with you everything that I have learned about how to clean car seats after years of being a professional car detailer.

So let’s dig in!

Can You Clean Car Seats At Home?

Cleaning car seats is a pretty simple process that doesn’t actually require much. 

Of course, many car owners opt to take their ride for a professional car seat scrub, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, some people prefer to do the job themselves, and, if done right, the results will be pretty much the same as having a professional job done. 

Thankfully, this procedure won’t require you to make costly investments or buy multiple supplies of anything. All you need is Nexgen Interior Cleaner and a few other materials such as microfiber cloths and a soft-bristled brush. If the situation is pressing, and you don’t have a professional product at hand, a vinegar mixture or a baking soda solution can work too. 

As for the process — you’ll find all the answers regarding how to clean car seats at home efficiently and safely below. 

My goal is to share my professional tips so by the end of this article, you have all the information needed to give your fabric car seats the makeover they deserve.

Is It Safe To Wash Car Seats? 

In learning how to clean car seats, you’ll find there are all sorts of great tips and tricks that prove to be the obvious approach.

While it may be tempting, it’s not recommended to fully wash your car seats. In fact, some car models allow you to take the car seat cover off and wash it — most of them are machine washable. 

Just remember to not machine dry them. They’re just not designed to undergo that kind of procedure. Instead, simply leave the covers out to air dry, and put them back in when done. 

If your car seat covers don’t come off, start by removing the dust with a damp cloth. Once the surface dirt has been removed, proceed to apply the upholstery cleaner. 

What Is the Best Way To Clean Cloth Car Seats?

When cleaning the upholstery, there are a few steps to follow. Pay attention to all of them if you really want to learn how to clean car seats like a pro.

1. Vacuum

To clean cloth car seats properly, you’ll first need to remove dust, dirt, and debris from them. This means you’ll need to vacuum them. While you’re at it, I recommend a good vacuum that could pull out even the most stubborn debris from the most difficult angles. 

2. Pre-treat The Stains

Ideally, you should clean upholstery as often as possible, preferably at least every two weeks, to prevent permanent stains from forming.

At some point, some stains will become more difficult to remove and those ugly dots will set in. Stains ingrained in the seat cloth fiber should be pre-treated for maximum efficiency. This means you’ll need to grab a bottle of Nexgen Interior Cleaner, spray it on the most visible stains, and let the solution sit for about 15 minutes.