Getting Stains Out of Car Seats - Tips & Tricks to Follow

Well, dangit. You've gone and spilled some liquid on your car seats, and that liquid definitely doesn't belong there. But don't worry! We've all spilled a beverage or two on car seats ourselves, so we've picked up some know-how on getting stains out.

Cloth Seats

Driving enthusiasts love cloth seats. They grip the driver better, and they're cooler to the touch. The problem is that they tend to stain more easily. You have to work fast if you don't want the stain to be permanent!

Club Soda

The old trope that club soda gets stains out of anything is actually somewhat true. Put the club soda into a spray bottle and spray the stain. Get a brush and scrub until you see the stain disappear. Use a towel to clean up the club soda.

Baking Soda

If you need a little more power, put a quarter cup of baking soda and a cup of warm water into a bowl and mix. Break out an old toothbrush and scrub that stain with your baking soda/water mix. You might need to let the solution sit for half an hour or so to really work its way in.

Vinegar

Mix a cup of vinegar into a gallon of hot water, add some drops of dish soap, and then use a washcloth to dab the solution into the stain. Take a brush and scrub it. Then get some clean water to rinse the area.

Laundry Detergent

This type of cleaning is one of the main jobs of laundry detergent. Mix your detergent with some hot water - it can be powdered detergent or liquid - and apply to the stain with a washcloth. Then use a washcloth soaked in cold water to scrub at that nasty stain.

Leather Seats

The tricks you use with cloth won't work with leather. Also, don't use brushes on leather; you could scrape and damage it. Here's how to tackle leather:

Rubbing Alcohol

Use a cotton swab doused in rubbing alcohol to gently dab the stain. This approach should take the stain out, and once you're done, use warm water and dish soap to clean the area, then get a towel and dry it.

Baking Soda

Our old friend, baking soda. With leather seats, the process is a little different. Powder the stained area with baking soda and use a dampened washcloth to rub it in. The next morning (yes, let it sit overnight), use a microfiber cloth to wipe up the baking soda. Then use another damp washcloth on the area, and then dry that with a towel.

Toothpaste

Apply the toothpaste to the stain. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles - and we emphasize soft - to gently scrub the stain. Wipe it up with a washcloth and use a towel to dry the area.

A Note on Leather

Leather needs a bit of extra care compared to cloth. After cleaning, use a leather conditioner to ensure that your leather seats stay nice and supple. Leather seats are quite good at resisting stains anyway, and a conditioner will improve this resistance.

Keeping your car's interior clean is important. By applying these tips, you can keep yours immaculate.