
Car upholstery seats, most notably when they are made of leather add a touch luxury to your car. They’re pricey, so you need to take care of them.
In this article, I will teach you the different homemade car upholstery cleaners you can use for your seats so they can look great for a long time.
First, vacuum the seats to remove dirt and debris from the crevices.
Next, apply a cleaning solution to the seats. Do not use bleach or ammonia-based cleaners as they can damage your car upholstery seats.
Basic DIY Cleaning Tips
Since we are talking about homemade car upholstery cleaner, you can try the following:
- Mix warm water and a liquid dishwashing soap together in a bucket.
- Use a ratio of 5 parts water to 1 part soap.
- Dampen a cloth with the cleaner and wipe down the seat surfaces
- Don’t saturate the car seat because too much water could pool in the seat seams and seep into the cushions. Excess water can also stain the seat.
- Wipe clean with a second damp cloth.
- Dry thoroughly with a towel.
Another DIY idea to clean the car upholstery:
- Mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Spritz on the seat, let sit for five minutes and wipe.
Items to Grab to Prevent Stains
The best way to clean leather car seats is to prevent stains. Wipe up spills as soon as they hit the seat. Even if you’re fast with the cleanup, stains will happen. Grab one of these items and get cleaning.
Toothpaste
- Dab non-gel toothpaste on the soiled area.
- Use a toothbrush to gently scrub away the stain.
- Wipe the area with a clean cloth when finished, then dry with a towel.
- Toothpaste will also remove scuffs.
Lemon Juice and Cream of Tartar
- Use this on light upholstery only, as it has a bleaching effect.
- Mix equal parts of juice and cream of tartar into a paste.
- Apply to the soiled area and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Use a damp sponge to remove the paste.
Nail Polish Remover or Rubbing Alcohol
- Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol and blot the stain.
- Once you’ve lifted the stain, clean the area with a mild solution of liquid dish soap and warm water.
- Wipe with a clean, damp cloth.
Baking Soda
This cleaner is good for removing oil and grease stains.
- Sprinkle on the soiled area and rub it in with a damp cloth.
- Let sit for a few hours or overnight.
- The soda will absorb the oil. Wipe off the powder with a soft cloth.
- Follow with a damp cloth to remove residue, and dry with a towel.
Once your seats are clean, apply a conditioner that contains sunscreen to keep your car upholstery from cracking and fading. Conditioner also makes it resistant to future stains and gives it a nice shine. Knowing how to clean your car upholstery will extend its life and keep them looking new.