Owning a car can require a large investment of time and finances. One of the easiest ways to protect that investment is to keep the interior clean. Here are six easy upholstery cleaning tips on keeping the interior of your car in good condition:
- Use Water Sparingly: a steam cleaner will negate the need for chemicals that may require a lot of water to clean up.
- Use the Right Cleaner: if a chemical cleaner is necessary, use the right cleaner for the fabric. Leather will necessitate a different cleaner than cloth interiors. Cloth interiors require the right cleaners to avoid watermarks and stains. Also, some fabrics do better with a cream shampoo while others do well with a foam shampoo.
- Dab, Don’t Rub: a foam shampoo requires less water to remove. Apply the shampoo directly to the soiled area. Then take a damp sponge and dab at the area to remove the soil, minimizing the damp area.
- Dry it Out: to avoid mold development in closed up car upholstery, leave the doors or windows open after cleaning is done.
- Natural Alternatives: to avoid using chemicals altogether, natural cleaners such as baking soda can remove stains.
- Dirt Repellents: some products are able to repel dirt and soil. These can be applied to clean upholstery to reduce the time and labor required to keep upholstery clean.
Vehicle maintenance is just as important on the inside as it is on the outside, and of course under the hood. Stick to these simple upholstery cleaning tips. These rules of thumb and your interior will stay factory fresh for years to come!
