So you chose that seat color thinking that you’re doing yourself a favor. Black would conceal dirt, right? But not long after, you realized it’s not that easy to clean black cloth car seats.
Black makes your car look sleek and elegant. But black acts like a magnet to dirt and it makes them stand out. You or any of your passengers will surely not miss any debris, coffee stains, or a strand of hair clinging to your car seat.
Cloth car seats will certainly get stained and dirty no matter how careful you are. That’s because cloth absorbs and attracts almost everything.
Cleaning Black Cloth Car Seats
The process of cleaning black cloth car seats is no different from other cloth seats. However, many consider it more difficult because black shows dirt sooner than other colors, and requires more attention.
The method of cleaning your car seat will depend on what type of dirt or stain you’re trying to get rid of.
Hair, dust, and other debris
If you’re simply dealing with debris, all you need is car vacuum. Make sure that you give your seats a good vacuuming. Stick the nozzle into the seams and creases so that no dirt is left behind.
Ground-in dirt
For dirt that has accumulated and set on your car seat, use a mixture of one-part dishwashing soap and one-part water. Spray the mixture to the affected area and lightly scrub with a brush with soft bristles. Never use a stiff brush because it can damage the cloth fibers. Wipe away the suds with a cloth or microfiber towel moistened with warm water. Do these steps until the dirt is removed.
You also may be interested, how to manually adjust the electric car seat. and the ways to repair cracked leather car seats.
Oil and grease
You will need a mixture of equal parts, paint thinner and water to remove oily stains, such as greasy food and lipstick. Use a cotton ball or cloth to rub the mixture into the stain. Sprinkle some cornmeal or salt on the stain and allow it to sit overnight. Vacuum the car seat the next day.
Test the mixture you prepare before using it. Rub it on a tiny hidden spot of your car seat. Make sure that there’s no negative reaction.
Ink stains
To remove ink stains, you can use Hairspray. Spray a small amount on the stain. Carefully blot with a clean, damp cloth. Do this until the stain is no longer noticeable.
You need to be really careful when removing ink stains. If not, you might end up spreading the ink instead of getting rid of it.
Also read the way to clean a car headliner
Coffee stains
If you or anyone in the car happen to spill coffee on the car seat, immediately dilute it with cold water. Pour a small amount and blot with paper towel. It’s important to do this right away so that the stain won’t remain.
If there’s still stain after the area dries, you can use glass cleaner to clean black cloth car seats. Spray the glass cleaner and soak the affected area. Let it sit for about five minutes and blot with paper towel.
Use a hair dryer to dry the soaked fabric. Make sure you don’t burn the upholstery by keeping the hair dryer several inches away from it.
Vomit stains
It’s gross, yes. But it happens and once in a while, you might have to deal with vomit stains on your cloth car seat. If it happens, clean it up as soon as possible or it will set into the upholstery.
Pour a small amount of cold water on the stain. Wash it with warm water and mild soap. Blot the area with a cloth dipped in club soda to neutralize the acidic vomit stain. You may also use baking soda mixed with water. This mixture helps remove the unpleasant smell.
Bloodstains
Make a paste out of cold water and dry laundry starch. Immediately cover the blood stain with this paste. Let it dry and use a car vacuum or brush to get rid of the residue.
Alternatively, you can blot the bloodstain with a cloth soaked in cold water. Rinse the cloth and blot again until the blood stain is no longer visible. Never use soap or hot water because they will only set the stainIf you want to fix your sagging headliner, here are quick ways.
Keep Your Cloth Car Seats Stain-Free
Everyone wants to keep the interior of their car clean. If you want to stain-free car seats, then you must set some rules. Limit or totally ban food and drinks in your car. By doing this, you're substantially reducing the possibility of any dirt and stains.
The easiest way to protect the seats of your car from stains is to cover them. The idea of having car seat covers may be unappealing, but they are practical. You can remove and wash them any time, making it easier to clean up your car. You can also find designs that can match the interior of your car.
If you’re still not sold on car seat covers, don’t worry because you have another option. Applying stain repellent to the upholstery is a sure way to have clean black cloth car seats. Stain repellents create an impermeable barrier, keeping cloth materials from absorbing the liquid. They prevent settling of stains and prolong the life of your car’s upholstery. As with other chemical products, test the stain repellent on a tiny and hidden spot before spraying down all the car seats.
Lastly, vacuum the interior of your car on a regular basis. Use a car vacuum to remove debris and dirt that will otherwise grind into the seats and contribute to stubborn stains. At least once a month, vacuum out your car. If it gets dirty quickly, vacuum more frequently.
Simon graduated with a Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Degree. He has over 20 years of servicing experience in both Japanese and German car dealerships. He now acts as a freelance mechanic’s instructor for local schools.
