Key Points to Remember for the Best Results
In order to ensure you achieve the best results, there are a few points you need to remember:
- We recommend you vacuum your car seats every 1–2 weeks and deep clean at least once a month. This will help minimise the job of cleaning car upholstery.
- Check the car manufacturer’s guide as some offer advice for specific ways your car upholstery needs to be cleaned.
- When you’re learning how to clean car seat fabric yourself, always read the label to check a cleaning product is suitable for cleaning your car upholstery and follow the steps given.
- Before using any new cleaning products for cleaning and disinfecting your car seats, take care to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first.
Do not use the product if you notice any of the following:
- Colour fading
- Bleaching
- Staining
Important Note for Leather Seats
If your car seats are made from leather, avoid products with wax, silicone, or oil-based ingredients as these can cause damage to your seats.
- Work slowly and gently to minimise the chance of causing any accidental damage.
- Make sure that you use a soft, lint-free cotton or a microfiber cloth when following steps for washing car seats to avoid scratches or damage.
- Don’t forget to clean and disinfect the rest of your car interior to prevent dust, dirt and debris transferring back to the seats.
Step 1: Vacuum All Seats First
First, you need to ensure you vacuum all of your seats.
Use an Upholstery Attachment
Always use an upholstery attachment. Take particular care in areas with creases and seams. And don’t forget the area between the headrest and the back of the seat.
This will remove any crumbs, dirt and dust which could scratch your seats.
Check Your Car Manufacturer’s Guide
Check your car manufacturer’s guide and follow any advice provided.
How to Clean Leather Seats Fast
If you’re looking for how to clean leather seats fast, we recommend you try using leather wipes.
In general, these wipes will contain both a leather cleaner and also a conditioner, allowing you to complete both jobs at once.
They can be bought from local auto parts stores and sometimes hardware stores too.
Best Option: Use a Bespoke Leather Cleaner
The best option for cleaning your car leather is to use a bespoke product. Follow these steps for how to clean dirty leather car seats and restore that factory-fresh feel:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines which can be found on the label.
- Once you have cleaned the seats, use a damp chamois leather to rinse off your seats.
- Take care to ensure you don’t oversaturate your seats—only use enough water to remove the cleaner.
- Allow the seats to fully air dry before sitting in them to travel anywhere.
Finish with Leather Conditioner
Don’t forget to use a leather conditioner after cleaning.
This way you can extend the life of your car seats and protect them against damage from the sun and more.
How to Clean Fabric Car Seats with Laundry Detergent
With the steps below, we’ll show you how to clean cloth car seats quickly using products you can already find around your home.
Vacuum the seats first.
Step-by-Step Method
- Mix warm water and detergent in a spray bottle.
Fill a second spray bottle with fresh, clean warm water. - Use a fragranced detergent (optional).
This leaves your car seats smelling fresh and reduces the need for an air freshener. - Spray with a soapy solution.
Spray your seats with the soapy solution. Pay particular attention to any especially dirty areas. - Be gentle.
Use a soft, cotton cloth to gently scrub the soap and clean your seats. - Rinse with water.
Spray clean, fresh warm water over the seat to rinse off the cleaning solution. - Dry fully.
Allow plenty of time for the seats to air dry ahead of the car being used again.