How to Clean Car Seats

If you’re the type of St. Simons or Waycross driver who likes to do their own car care, then of course knowing how to properly care for your vehicle’s interior is just as important as the outside. While many drivers will wash the outside of their car, cleaning the inside can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple. The Nalley GMC service center experts have you covered with a step-by-step guide on how to clean your car seats. This includes instructions on how to clean leather seats so that you can keep your new vehicle in its best condition for years to come! Still have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us and our team of professionals will help. 

How to Clean Fabric Car Seats

Supplies you’ll need to clean fabric seats: 

1. Be sure to get a product specifically formulated for your car seats. It will thoroughly remove dirt, debris, and stains from your fabrics effectively.
2. When cleaning your interior, use a brush with soft or medium-stiff bristles for best results. Avoid using a stiff carpet brush, as this may cause damage to the surfaces in your car. 
3. Microfiber towels
4. It is important to allow the car’s seats sufficient time to dry before you drive again. 

Step-by-step instructions for cleaning fabric seats:

1. To eliminate all traces of dust, dirt and hair, it is essential to vacuum clean the seats thoroughly. To assist in this process, the use of smaller attachments will enable you to get into the crevices and tracks under the seats.
2. If your car’s interior is covered in pet hair, use a lint roller or a specially designed pet hair removal tool to get rid of it quickly and easily.
3. If your windows or doors are open, lightly spray the cleaning solution onto the surface you wish to clean. Ensure that you don’t overdo it, as it could result in mildew formation on the fabric.
4. Use the interior brush to work the cleaning solution into the fabric, providing a gentle massage-like action.
5. To properly clean your fabric, wipe away suds as soon as they appear with a microfiber towel. If you let the fabric dry out before doing this, dirt may be pulled back into the fibers.
6. After you finish cleaning an area, give it a good once over and wipe with your finger to check for remaining particles. Repeat on all seats until you’re happy with the final outcome. 
7. Vacuuming the seats can help speed up the drying process. Make sure to wait until they’re completely dry before using the vehicle again.

Alternatives to Fabric Cleaner

1. To remove stubborn stains, mix a quarter cup of baking soda with one cup of warm water. Utilize a toothbrush to scrub the stain for approximately 30 minutes. Afterward, use a damp cloth or towel to blot away the stain from the surface.
2. For stain removal, club soda can be a great option. To use it, simply spray the affected area of the fabric with a light layer. Then take a soft-bristle brush and scrub out the stains. Make sure to wipe away all dirt that rises up as you work on it.
3. Cleaning car seats with vinegar is a cost-effective solution. All you need are one cup of vinegar, some drops of dish soap and one gallon of hot water. Dab the mix on the seat and scrub it using a brush. Then use clean water and a microfiber towel to remove all the dirt and suds. 

How to Clean Leather Car Seats

Supplies you’ll need to clean leather seats: 

1. Clean leather surfaces with specially formulated cleaners like saddle soap, mild leather soap, or wipe the surface with a mixture of white vinegar and linseed oil in a ratio of 1:2.
2. Microfiber towels
3. For interior cleaning, it is recommended to use a soft-bristled brush instead of a stiff carpet brush.

Step-by-step instructions for cleaning leather seats:

1. Make sure to consult the owner’s manual for your vehicle before making any product choices, as it includes all the details you need to know about usage that is specific to your model. Additionally, it will also provide you with a list of products and applications that should not be used.
2. Vacuuming the seats is an important part of cleaning, as it removes any particles that may have settled on to them. Be cautious, as leather may be easily scratched. To get into tight corners, consider using smaller attachments or an air compressor to blow them out. 
3. To sanitize leather seats, spray the leather cleaner onto a microfiber towel and use it to wipe away any surface dirt or oils.
4. To clean perforated leather seats, spray the cleaner onto the brush and gently scrub the surface in a circular motion. If you have non-perforated leather seats, spray directly onto the fabric and follow up with a brush.
5. Clean the surfaces of the seating area with a dry microfiber cloth.

How to Condition Leather Car Seats

To keep leather from drying out and cracking, it’s important to condition it regularly. This will also help maintain the softness for an extended period.

Step-by-step instructions for conditioning leather seats:

1. Select an all-natural leather cleaner. Steer clear of those containing petroleum distillates, waxes, or silicones – these do damage over time. 
2. To condition with your microfiber cloth, use a small amount of conditioner and spread it evenly on a dry, clean surface.
3. To get the desired results, use a circular motion to work the conditioner into the leather gently.
4. Leave the conditioner on the leather for approximately one hour before handling it. This will allow the conditioner to penetrate and be absorbed by the leather.
5. During this step, make sure to keep the seats away from direct sunlight as they need to absorb the conditioner fully before they can be dried.
6. After allowing the conditioner to sink into the seats, buff it in with a soft cloth. 

More Leather Care Tips

1. To prevent any long-term damage to the interior of your car, it’s a good idea to keep a cleaning solution and microfiber cloths around for wiping away dust, spills, and debris.
2. To maximize the lifespan of your vehicle’s leather, you should make a habit of storing it in the garage when possible. This extends the life by avoiding cracks and other weather damage. 
3. If you are driving in Jessup area, try and look for parking spots that are covered by shade. This will help avoid sun bleaching or damage to the interior of your vehicle’s seats.

Get More DIY Cleaning & Car Care Tips With Nalley GMC

The team at the Nalley GMC service center is equipped to clean your car seats and leather seats if you’re short on time. We understand how difficult and tedious this task can be, and sometimes you just don’t have the right tools for the job. But we’ve got you covered. Simply schedule service online and get your car taken care of for you.