Cleaning car seats: this is how it’s done

From the outside, a vehicle usually becomes dirty due to rust, bird droppings or dust particles. In the interior, on the other hand, dirt often collects on the shoes of drivers and passengers carried into the car, or stains are caused by eating and drinking in the vehicle. the good news: if it happens and the car seat shows an unsightly stain, you don’t have to Don’t always reach for the chemical mace.

Although there are various products available in specialist shops that you can use to clean the upholstery and make the car clean again. But many of them are marked with a black X on an orange background. This symbol indicates the presence of ingredients that are harmful or irritating to health. In many cases you can fortunately clean your car seats yourself and use inexpensive home remedies. This not only saves money, but also protects the upholstery and the environment.

Prevention: the best protection against stains

It is best to avoid stains in the car from the outset. If you’re traveling with children, it’s better not to give them food or drink. Short trips can usually be survived without snacks or drinks without any problems. Adults are not immune to spills either, of course, and should only eat and drink outside the car if possible.

Tip: on long trips, if possible, stop for a meal, get out and stretch your legs. If it is not possible to stop or the weather is uncomfortable, you can put blankets on the seats to protect them while you eat and drink. Special protective covers are also available from specialist dealers. You should also consider such measures if you take a pet with you in the car.

Even if you take water instead of sticky soft drinks and sweet juices, you won’t always avoid stains. Water stains can leave unsightly marks. In the event of a mishap, technical equipment can also be damaged. Eating and drinking while driving can also increase the risk of injury and accidents, depending on the situation – stains or not.

Remove dirt and stains quickly

Depending on the type and amount of liquid respectively. substance, it sometimes soaks deep into the upholstery. It is possible that the stain is not only visually disturbing, but also that unpleasant odors and in the worst case even mold add. In any case you should remove stains quickly. Take up liquids and other residues with cloths or handkerchiefs immediately if you notice them in time. If the stain has already dried up, you need to take other measures. To clean car seats correctly, you should always keep in mind that leather seats require different care than fabric seat covers.

Tipif you eat or drink in the car, it is best to store cleaning cloths there as well. If something happens, you’ll quickly have something on hand to pick up dirt or liquids.

Tipif you don’t spot a stain right away, or if residue remains after the first dabbing, it’s best to vacuum the seat thoroughly first so that you don’t incorporate loose dirt later.

Tip: it is best to test first on an inconspicuous spot whether the agent of your choice has the desired effect or has a negative effect on the material, before you apply it on a larger and clearly visible surface.

Clean car seats with vinegar

Vinegar is part of the inventory of practically every household and does not fail to have an effect when it comes to cleaning car seats. This applies to fabric seats just as for leather and leatherette. Vinegar leaves behind its typical smell, but this disappears after a short time – it even removes other unpleasant smells odors, for example from food residues or an animal transport. This is how you proceed:

1. Dilute some white household vinegar with lukewarm water.
2. Put some vinegar water on a cleaning sponge.
3. Dab with the sponge on the stain.
4. Leave the vinegar to act for a few minutes.
5. Lightly dampen a cloth with clean, lukewarm water and dab or wipe with a cloth. Gently wipe the residue with it.

TipIf you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can use lemon water instead of vinegar. The application steps remain the same.