Your car’s upholstery goes through a lot on a daily basis. It takes the brunt of any accidental spills, smells, and stains that occur as a result of people, food, and drinks being in the vehicle. At some point, you’ll want to clean your car’s upholstery and restore it to its former glory. Here are five tips to do just that.
1. Keep Moisture to a Minimum
Moisture is not your upholstery’s friend. It’s not uncommon to believe that the more water you use to try to lift stains out, the better. However, it can lead to excessive dampness and smelly mold inside the vehicle if the moisture stays in your upholstery. Moisture can rust zippers and other metal in the upholstery, so keep this in mind when cleaning.
2. White Vinegar Removes Smells
White vinegar is one key to removing smells in your car’s interior. Before you start cleaning, place two bowls of white vinegar inside your vehicle. Put one on the dashboard and the other on the back seat. Keep them there overnight with every window closed. This should get rid of any and all smells from the vehicle. Remove the bowls the next day and open the windows to air out your interior until the smell is gone. Vacuum out the interior if so desired.
3. Remove Stains With DIY Household Solutions
Stains aren’t easy to get out of fabric, but you can use a combination of baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar to tackle them. Start by adding a mixture of baking soda and warm water to the stains you want to remove. Leave it there for approximately 30 minutes and then use towels to blot the area to eliminate any excess moisture.
For seats, spray a combination of detergent, vinegar, and baking soda onto the fronts and backs. Work it into the material with a stiff brush. Let it sit for 15 minutes or so and then remove it and any extra moisture with towels.
4. Use Baking Soda As an Odor Remover
If you’d rather not use vinegar to eradicate smells from your car’s interior, consider using baking soda instead. Sprinkle the substance on floors and seats to soak up heinous odors. You can also use a combination of baking soda and essential oils. Put them in a bowl and leave it overnight to freshen up the car’s interior. Leaving dryer sheets under the seats overnight also helps take out smells.
5. Freshen Up Carpets With Baking Soda and Cleaner
Don’t forget to treat your vehicle’s carpet mats, too. Sprinkle baking soda on top of them to get rid of odors. Simply leave it, let it absorb, and vacuum it up. Use a stain remover to help take out any stubborn spots.
Restoring your car’s interior to like-new status takes a little bit of time and effort, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. Use the household tips above to help make your car upholstery fresh and clean again.
Image via Chrysler.com | Cropped from original