Cleaning Fabric Seats?

[shadow85]

I had my vehicle for about 4 years now, which has fabric seats. They are in decent shape, never spilled anything nor any noticable stains. I have never attempted to clean them as I don`t know what to use. Can you recommend some simple products? I don`t want to make it complicated with steam cleaners and vacuums. Something that can be done with an applicator and towels would work.

[imported_Automania]

After 4 years although it appears clean you should have it professionally cleaned with hot water extractor to remove dirt, dust mites, perspiration and body oils and wash the fibers. It is similar to wearing a jacket for 4 years eventually you need to clean it properly and so now is the time.

[JohnKleven]

I would also recommend to have it professionally cleaned. The use of a Tornador cleaning tool performs miracles on fabric seats!

[IHA Mark]

If you must do it cheap and easy:



1. Go to Wal-Mart

2. Buy a couple cans of Tough Stuff

3. Buy their blue fabric brush.

4. Buy some cotton terry towels or microfibers



Spray, scrub, wipe down with towels. Repeat as needed.



That being said, this will not be even close to using an extractor, steamer, or Tornador gun in regards to total cleaning ability.



Hope this helps.

[Richard Grasa]

Bissel Little Green Machine works ok if you have one. It won`t clean as deep as a pro unit, but if you or a friend happen to have one you could use that if you don`t want to go see a pro. Like said above, Tough Stuff is cheap and works ok too. If I wasn`t a pro and had a Bissel and wanted to do it myself, I`d spray the Tough Stuff, agitate and then extract with hot clean water with nothing added to it with the Bissel. It will take a little while to dry as the suction this machine has is not THAT great but works ok. You don`t have to extract Tough Stuff, but it will give a little deeper clean.





But yeah, I agree, seeing a pro would be the best ticket.

[Accumulator]

Bissel Little Green Machine works ok if you have one..

IMO everybody oughta have some kind of extractor, if only for use around the house/apartment/etc. Everybody.



But with regard to auto upholstery, isn`t it David Fermani who gets by just fine using only towels..in other words, *not* using an extractor?

[pwaug]

If you must do it cheap and easy:



1. Go to Wal-Mart

2. Buy a couple cans of Tough Stuff

3. Buy their blue fabric brush.

4. Buy some cotton terry towels or microfibers



Spray, scrub, wipe down with towels. Repeat as needed.



That being said, this will not be even close to using an extractor, steamer, or Tornador gun in regards to total cleaning ability.



Hope this helps.

If you substitute Folex from Lowes this process works even better--used it many times with success.

[Jean-Claude]

I agree. Though, be careful. I got the best hot water extractor I could find at the moment, an Aztec HWE. The heating element broke after about 20ish hours. Expensive paper weight...

IMO everybody oughta have some kind of extractor, if only for use around the house/apartment/etc. Everybody.



But with regard to auto upholstery, isn`t it David Fermani who gets by just fine using only towels..in other words, *not* using an extractor?

[IHA Mark]

If you substitute Folex from Lowes this process works even better--used it many times with success.

True, I was just thinking in regards to a 1 stop shop type of thing.

[pwaug]

True, I was just thinking in regards to a 1 stop shop type of thing.

Understood. I`ll run around all over the place to get just what I want, but not everyone is as foolish.

[David Fermani]

But with regard to auto upholstery, isn`t it David Fermani who gets by just fine using only towels..in other words, *not* using an extractor?

Sure is, but I`ve been known to throw in some powerwashing here and there too.....

[imported_Larry A]

I mix up a solution of ammonia and water--1 cup of ammonia to 1 gallon of water -simply wipe the fabric with the solution and a terry towel, and wipe dry . Fabric dries fast and leaves no resadue , kills mold and mildew, and leaves fabric soft.

[Ron Ketcham]

One thing to add, most have access to a hair dryer.

Use it to remove the excess moisture as soon as you have finished the cleaning process.

In most cases, will stop the "ring around the collar", IE, the observed ring of dried water.

Start at the outside of the wetted area and carefully move in towards the most wet part, until the area is "dry to the touch".

Fool proof, no, but in most cases will help a whole lot.

Grumpy