How to Clean Fabric Car Seats

  1. 1

    Vacuum thoroughly first

    Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to remove all loose dirt, crumbs and debris from the seat surface, creases and gaps. Getting this dry material out first prevents turning it into muddy smears when you add liquid cleaners.

  2. 2

    Pre-treat any stains

    For specific stains (coffee, food, mud), apply a small amount of upholstery cleaner or a mix of washing-up liquid and warm water directly to the stain. Leave for 2–3 minutes before scrubbing.

  3. 3

    Spray with upholstery cleaner and scrub

    Spray the seat with upholstery cleaner (or diluted dish soap solution). Use a soft-bristled brush and scrub in circular motions. Work section by section across the entire seat.

  4. 4

    Blot with a clean cloth

    Press a clean dry cloth firmly onto the seat to absorb the dirty cleaning solution. Repeat with fresh sections of cloth until no more dirt transfers.

  5. 5

    Leave doors open to dry

    Leave the car doors open or windows down until the seats are completely dry — at least 2–3 hours on a warm day. Sitting on damp seats causes mildew and odour. Do not use the car until fully dry.

How to Clean Leather Car Seats

  1. 6

    Vacuum and wipe down first

    Vacuum out the creases. Wipe the leather with a clean damp microfibre cloth to remove surface dust and oils.

  2. 7

    Apply leather cleaner

    Apply a small amount of leather cleaner to a microfibre cloth (never directly onto the leather). Wipe in small circular motions across the surface. Work section by section.

  3. 8

    Dry and condition

    Wipe off cleaner with a clean dry cloth. Apply leather conditioner to keep the leather supple and prevent cracking. This is especially important in hot climates where UV and heat dry out leather quickly.

Odour removalFor persistent odours in fabric seats, sprinkle baking soda generously over the seat, leave overnight and vacuum thoroughly in the morning. Repeat if needed. A small bowl of white vinegar left in the car overnight also neutralises many odours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rehydrate with a small amount of warm water, let it soak for 2–3 minutes, then treat as a fresh stain with upholstery cleaner and a brush. Multiple applications may be needed for old stains. A steam cleaner is very effective on stubborn dried stains in car upholstery.
Not recommended — the high pressure forces water deep into the foam and padding which takes days to dry and promotes mildew. Use a low-moisture approach: spray cleaners sparingly and blot rather than saturate.