Your vehicle is a multi-task master. Not only does it serve you in getting from point A to point B and back to A, but it could also be your board meeting room, gossip lounge, child entertainment center and banquet hall. Even if you are a single person, with little visitors, your automobile will most likely be the victim of a few spills or accidents and will need some stains removed from the upholstery.
Direct Carpet Cleaners would like to offer up some tips on auto upholstery cleaning, removing stains, preventive maintenance and basic care to prolong your vehicle’s upholstery life.
General Auto Upholstery Maintenance
– Vacuum dirt and debris often.
– Attend spills as soon as possible. Dilute colored fluids with water and blot up moisture with paper towels. Do not or scrub vigorously as this can push the stain further into the fibers. Do not use hot water as doing so will set in the stain.
– Do not permit smoking in the car. Residues and odors are extremely tough to remove.
– Have a detailed cleaning annually or as needed.
– Shampoo the upholstery quarterly or as needed.
– For leather; use a low PH-Soap and water mixture. Dampen a clean cloth and gently massage the spots up. Thoroughly dry, and apply leather conditioner to ensure the leather doesn’t dry out.
– For fabric upholstery, deep clean. In a gallon of hot water, add 1 cup of vinegar and a TBS or so, of dish soap liquid. Using a hard-bristled brush, work mixture through the fabric. Allow to work in for approximately 30 minutes and rinse well with water. Blot the excess moisture and allow proper ventilation to air dry.
Auto Upholstery Stain Removal
1. Ink Stain Removal: Generously coat the ink with aerosol hairspray. Allow the hairspray to absorb the stain for a few minutes, and blot. Repeat as needed.
2. Removing Blood Stains: Create a paste using cold water and powdered laundry detergent. Apply to the stain and allow the paste to dry and vacuum up the mess. If blood is still persistent, use hydrogen peroxide on a cotton ball and blot up the stain. (Use caution as peroxide has the ability to lighten fabric.)
3. Treating Stubborn Stains: If stains are reluctant after trying other methods, often glass cleaner can do the job.
4. Restoring Faded Carpet (wool is excluded): Vacuum meticulously. Combine a pint of water to 1 cup of ammonia and soak the mixture into the carpet. Blot up the moisture well and allow to air dry.
5. Lifting Away Fabric Indent Marks: Place a damp towel over the indented area. Place a warm iron over the towel, do not use the iron on anything but a low setting and don’t place iron on a spot for very long as this could melt fibers.
Warning: Before using any detergents, cleaners or home remedy mixtures, always test your cleaning agents in an inconspicuous patch area to ensure it does not compromise the integrity of your fibers, or lighten the color.
