We all want to live in spaces that are clean and organized. We focus on our working space, our homes, and even in the spaces of our cars, but we sometimes fail to realize that car seats need cleaning too. This is because our car seats are the most used and most exposed place in the car. It can be quite a challenge to have them cleaned well too because it requires a lot of work. Some people opt to have a professional cleaning done, but to be honest, this is not really necessary if you know how to deep clean and maintain it yourself. If you are clueless about how to do it on your own, here are a couple of useful tips on how to do it.
A Useful Guide in Deep Cleaning Car Seats
You can always have your seats cleaned, but it will be more effective if you know the right way to clean your car seat’s material. Here are some guidelines on how to clean the most common types of car seats.
Do some initial vacuuming
Before you proceed with any other step, you have to make sure that your car is free of debris whether it is small or big. Clear out your car of clutters and loosen up the seams as these areas are very prone to dirt and debris accumulation. While others tend to do it with a small broom, a brush, or their hands, the recommended method would be to vacuum it as this is faster and more effective in getting even the tiniest dirt or crumbs from your car seats.
Dealing with Suede Seats
Unlike leather and cloth car seats, suede seats require more caution when cleaning to avoid damaging the car seat. In this case, you are recommended to brush the area in a circular or swirling motion to be cleaned instead of vacuuming it. If you happen to be dealing with a more stubborn dirt or stain, you can always use a cloth to do it. Just make sure that you have a damp cloth to blot it until the stain gets removed and dries.
Use a cleaning solution
It is important to get a reliable and effective cleaning solution as this creates a heavier impact on your results. Start by spraying on some cleaning solution onto the surface. Get a clean cloth to wipe the dirt and all the other stains or grim away. Be cautious in spraying your solution as having too much may get your car seats soaked and overly wet. This can be difficult to dry and may be a cause of mold and mildew growth.
Alternatives
- Laundry detergent
This can be used in place of a fabric cleaner. You can make your own mixture by combining hot water with detergent. Just make sure that you dampen the area and avoid soaking it. Rinse the area with a microfiber dipped in cold water. Squeeze and get rid of excess as you go until the area is free of detergent.
- Vinegar
You can create your own mix by combining some dishwashing soap, 250 ml of vinegar, and 4 liters of hot water. You use this and apply this onto your car seat with a brush and in a dabbing motion. Finish off by using a microfiber towel to keep it free of suds.
- Baking soda solution
This is an effective method to get rid of stains and other unpleasant odors. Create your own mixture by combining 250 ml of warm water and 60 ml of baking soda. Once you have them mixed well, you can continue to apply it onto the areas to be treated with a brush. Leave it to sit for 30 minutes and clean up with a dry, clean towel from your home.
Microfiber towels help
When using a cleaning solution, there is a tendency for the suds to have dirt accumulating or bonded to it. In this case, the regular cloth may be difficult to manage. It is recommended that you use a microfiber towel for faster and more effective cleaning. Be careful not to do this late as suds and dirt may dry up and settle in the car seat’s surface.
Finish off with another vacuuming session
The process can be done repeatedly until the signs of dirt, debris, or stains are removed from the car seats. It is recommended that you spray and coat the area lightly and avoid soaking the area. Sometimes, five to six coats may be needed to get the area clean. Do as necessary. Once you are done with the cleaning, you can finish off the process by vacuuming it again. This is effective in making the area dry faster and removing the remnants or debris left in the car seat during cleaning. Sometimes, people opt to steam cleaning at times when they are short of time or when they are after the best results.
Conclusion
Cleaning car seats is definitely not a walk in the park. It is an extremely frustrating task for those who do not have experience in doing it and costly service to have it done regularly by professional cleaners. We have outlined a guideline that you can use to start learning and mastering the art of cleaning your own car seats. This not only guarantees a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone, this also lets you save up big from cleaning expenses.