How to clean upholstery in the car

With the arrival of new members of the family, pets, crumbs and other remains of food from long journeys, mud, or the general dirt of everyday life, are just some of the reasons why the upholstery in our cars gets dirty and loses its original sheen. That’s why a good cleaning routine every so often can help us keep our cars clean and looking new for longer. There are just as many car models as upholstery today, but... Did you know that each different type requires special care? We are going to tell you about the different types of upholstery on the market, and above all how to clean the upholstery in your car depending on what type it is. 

Types of upholstery in cars and how to clean them 

Each type of upholstery requires specific cleaning, since cleaning leather upholstery, which requires more specific care, is not the same as cleaning microfibre upholstery. Take note of how to clean upholstery in the car at home!

Leather upholstery

Leather is commonly used in the upholstery of up-market cars. Since leather is a natural product, the cost of the vehicle increases considerably.

How can we clean this type of upholstery? 

• Moisten a microfibre cloth with water and wipe down the car seats to remove any dirt from the surface. You should dry it quickly afterwards using a dry cloth to get rid of the moisture. 

• Place some leather polish (make sure it is the same colour as the upholstery) on a microfibre cloth and apply it to the seats in circular movements. Wipe off any excess polish using a dry cloth. 

• Apply some leather detailer and leave it to work for at least 15 minutes. Wipe off any excess product using a dry cloth. 

1. Vinyl upholstery

At first sight vinyl looks very similar to leather, but the difference is that it is plastic polymer. It is a long-lasting product if it is properly looked after and is not subjected to high temperatures. 

How can we clean this type of upholstery?

• Wet a cloth in water and a few drops of soap. Wipe the car seats to remove any dirt. Dry the seats afterwards to get rid of any moisture. 

Mixed or foamed upholstery

This is usually fabric upholstery with leather trim. In other words, the central part of the seat is fabric and the sides are leather.

How can we clean this type of upholstery?

• The fabric parts should be cleaned with a microfibre cloth moistened in soapy water to remove the dirt. The leather trim should be cleaned more carefully using the specific products described above.

Alcantara suede upholstery 

This is a special fabric that was used for the upholstery of up-market cars in the past. It has a feel similar to suede or chamois leather and is not only used to cover the seats, but also the ceiling, dashboard and even the steering wheel.

How can we clean this type of upholstery?

• This fabric is very delicate and therefore we recommend cleaning it using a soft cotton cloth moistened in water after first removing the dust. Make sure not to press on too hard as we may end up staining the material. If there are some stubborn stains, add a little soap to the water, or use a special suede cleaning product. To make sure there are no rims remaining afterwards, make sure you clean all the upholstery. Allow the fabric to dry and then brush it gently using a brush with soft bristles for a uniform finish. 

Cloth or microfibre upholstery

This type of upholstery is more convenient and stronger since it is made from different materials such as synthetic or polyamide fabric.

How can we clean this type of upholstery?

• Moisten a microfibre cloth in soap and water to get rid of the dirt. We can also use stain remover products on this type of material to get rid of deeply incrusted dirt.

How to clean your car step by step

When cleaning our car we usually pay more attention to what we can actually see, i.e. the outside. But did you know that cleaning the inside of your car every month will keep it looking new for longer. Take note of how to clean your car step by step. 

1. Take the mats out of the car and shake them well. 
2. Vacuum all the dirt out of the car using the vacuum cleaner. When doing this, always start at the top and work downwards. This means starting with the seats, any nooks and crannies and finally the floor and floor mats. Don’t forget to vacuum the boot! It tends to get dirtier than anywhere else.
3. Using a cloth to clean dust or a duster, remove any dust from the car. Then clean the steering wheel, dashboard, handbrake, gear lever and door handles using dashboard wipes.
4. Clean the upholstery of your car using cleaning products suitable for the material it is made of.
5. Finally, clean the windows inside using glass cleaner and add a little of your favourite air freshener.