There's nothing quite like that "new car smell",
but chances are, time has caused your vehicle to smell like a
combination of tennis shoes, tobacco and wet dog. There's no
magic potion to regain the original luster of your car's interior,
but with a little elbow grease and detailing, you can breath new
life, and a fresher scent, into tired upholstery.
Automotive upholstery comes in a variety of materials and fabrics
including vinyl, leather, cloth and velour. Maintaining the durability
and cleanliness of automotive upholstery can be quite expensive, as
many upholstery professionals charge expensive rates to remove the
smallest stain. Fortunately, there are a number of inexpensive tricks
that you can do to clean up the kind of minor accidents you'll encounter
during your daily drive.
These automotive upholstery care tips can involve the use of
common household products that are easy to use and readily available.
However, you must keep in mind that major stains or marks might require
the assistance of a professional automotive upholstery service to avoid
further damage caused by improper treatment.
Cleaning Automotive Upholstery
Common automotive upholstery, like many fabrics, can be easily
cleaned. Eliminate all surface dust using a small vacuum, and then use
a crevice tool for detailing between small cracks and spaces in the
upholstery. Leather and vinyl upholstery must be cleaned using a
suitable cleaning solution with protector. This added protection
helps to maintain a pliable leather surface, and prolongs its
beautiful appearance.
Spills
It's bound to happen to any commuter: you hit the tiniest bump or
hit the brakes, and you've got a spill on your upholstery. When it
happens, try to soak up as much of the liquid from the surface of
the upholstery as you can, as quickly as possible. On cloth or velour
seats, use a cotton rag or wads of paper towels to soak up the liquid.
You'll need to apply heavy pressure to get as much of the liquid as
possible from the upholstery.
Heavy Stains
Heavy stains can give you a heavy heart, but don't be too quick to
bring out stain removing chemicals that can damage upholstery. For
most colored stains on automotive upholstery, especially noticeable
ones, try dabbing the affected area with a baby wipe. If that does not
lift the stain, try pre-treating the spot with a little soda water.
Odor Removal
Aside from obvious sources like spilled beverages, automotive
upholstery can easily pick up odors that circulate throughout the rest
of the vehicle. After a while, the scent of the upholstery itself can be
quite overwhelming, even after the odorous perpetrator has long since
vanished. Cigarettes, drive-thru fast food bags and even innocent cups
of coffee will all leave a lasting impression. In most cases,
deodorizing sprays can clear the air. Make sure that the windows are
open when you spray, to let harmful fumes escape. If your stinky
culprit is cigarette smoke, more drastic measures can be in order to
drive the odor away. Try to snuff out the smoke smell by shampooing
the carpet with a quality commercial product. If the smell persists,
you'll need to seek professional help.
Leather Upholstery Care
There is nothing more luxurious than a car with leather seats.
Automotive leather is the pinnacle of upholstery options, but can
also be the hardest to maintain. If your automobile is clad in leather,
you've already made quite an investment, and you know that it
requires meticulous care. Most leather interiors undergo more wear
and tear than fine leather furniture, and require the same degree of
care. As with any type of leather, automotive leather upholstery
reacts unfavorably to extreme temperatures. Premature deterioration,
cracked surfaces and a dull appearance can be caused by severe hot and
cold, water and excess dryness.
Spills on Leather
Unlike fabric seats, sudden spills on leather upholstery can be
easily cleaned with a damp cloth. Leather upholstery must be maintained
with protectant. Purchase protectant specially developed for leather
automotive upholstery, and apply it regularly to preserve the supple
feel and natural moisture of the leather. Your beautiful leather seats
can easily become a sticky, grubby mess. Avoid build-up by wiping away
surface residue and dust on a regular basis.
Automobiles are big investments, and maintaining your car will help
retain its value. With proper automotive upholstery care, you'll be
able to keep your automobile looking--and smelling--just like a new car.
Brian Jump
