The Best Way to Apply Car Upholstery Cleaners

If you’re like most car owners, you want to keep your car in good shape as long as you can. You wash and polish the exterior of your car and the interior of your car deserves the same care. The car upholstery cleaner that you choose will depend on whether your upholstery is leather, vinyl or cloth; each material has their own special needs.

If your car has leather upholstery, cleaning it is an especially important part of its care. Just think about all the abuse the interior of your car takes. People are in and out of it daily, many times, bringing outside dirt in. In short, the foot traffic your car gets is intense, and it’s all being brought into the very small space that is your car’s interior.

Whatever car upholstery cleaner you use, read all of the directions for its use on the back of the bottle or jar; how along with when and where to use it will be spelled out there. The next thing to do is vacuum your car’s interior out well and use a stiff brush to get into all the nooks and crannies where crumbs from food and road dirt have settled. In some areas, you’ll need to use a damp cloth, in other areas a small, stiff-bristled brush will do the trick.

When you’re ready to apply the cleaner, do so in a circular motion using a soft cloth and then blot the stain.

If your car’s interior is leather, you want a product that cleans and conditions; your goal is to keep your leather upholstery soft and supple. Leather can lose moisture and become very dry, especially if your car sits out in the weather for any length of time. Choose a car upholstery cleaner that will remove dirt and grime and that will also condition the leather. A good upholstery cleaner for cars can even go a long way in restoring your car’s leather, and over time nourish it back to its former healthy glow. It might sound strange to think of nourishing the leather in your care, but leather needs this kind of regular care and maintenance. We recommend 303®Automotive Leather 3-in-1 Complete Care which cleans, conditions and provides UV protection to all finished leather and vinyl. It will help clean up surface dirt and grime, as will help repel future dust, lint, and stains.  It also contains superior UV protection to prevent fading and cracking of the leather caused by the sun’s harmful UV rays. Easy to use formula, just spray on and wipe off.

To use 303 Automotive Leather 3-in-1 Complete Care, start by testing a small area for colorfastness.  If color is affected, do not use.  Spray product directly onto the desired surface and wipe dry with a clean, microfiber towel or applicator. If the surface is extremely dirty, work product into the surface before wiping dry. Additional applications may be required.  Use a wet towel to remove any excess, and immediately wipe dry. Apply every 30-45 days for best results, or as desired. This product is great for use in auto leather or vinyl interiors, shoes, leather furniture, and much more!

Clean each area of your car separately. Pay special attention to areas that get the most use like armrests, headrests and steering wheels. Also, try to clean your upholstery in an organized way; this will help you to keep track of where you started and save you time and effort. Don’t worry if you don’t see the stain coming out immediately, it may take a while depending on what kind of stain it is and how long it’s been there.

The products available to clean leather upholstery are quite varied and if you do your homework you’ll find the right one. Ideally, you should clean your leather upholstery at least three to four times a year; this will keep it in optimum condition for you and your passengers to enjoy for years to come.

TIP: Never rub on a stain you’re trying to remove. Rubbing will only drive the stain deeper into the upholstery; blotting is better because it lifts the stain out.

TIP: After cleaning your car’s leather interior, apply a good leather conditioner to really help keep the leather in good condition.

TIP: Beware of the electrical connections that are underneath the seats in your car; your cars’ computer connections and seat belt alarms are located here. These wires can easily be damaged or even disconnected during the cleaning process.

For fabric interior, 303 Stain Guard for Auto Fabrics & Carpets helps prevent stains and repels liquids caused by; hot coffee, soda spills, food, pet stains, everyday dirt and mud.  It is safe to use on your fabric seats, as well as the carpets/fabric floor mats of your vehicle.