The Ultimate Guide On How To Clean Car Seats With Laundry Detergent

A car can be stuck with much dirt from its daily use, leaving the interior looking not so pleasant to sit in. Keeping your car clean is not an option but a necessity for everyone who uses it. However, you can clean car seats with laundry detergent at home as a routine to keep the interior clean and fresh always.

Auto upholstery is made from different fabrics, which should be cleaned differently of dirt, residue, dust, and spills. The typical use for laundry detergent is washing clothes, and it’s also an excellent cleaning agent for other fabrics, including auto upholstery.

Follow this guide to learn how to clean car seats with laundry detergent without seeking services elsewhere.

The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Car Seats with Laundry Detergent

Using laundry detergent to clean car seats

Cleaning auto upholstery does not always have to be done by agents, but you can do the same at home when you have time. Car interiors swallow dirt from everyday use, and you must devise a cleaning routine.

Regular cleaning will keep the interior clean and fresh, achievable using laundry detergent and a few tools at home.

Using laundry detergent to clean car seats

Spill laundry detergent on car seats

If you spill laundry detergent on car seats, get a cotton towel, cloth, or paper towel and place it on the spill. Let it absorb as much detergent as possible before removing or changing it.

If the spill is significant, change the towels until it’s absorbed. Get plain water in a bucket and a different towel, wet it, and scrub the detergent stain while rinsing until clean.

Spill laundry detergent on car seats

Cleaning vomit from leather car seats

Cleaning leather seats is quick and accessible regardless of the spill.

  • Wipe off the vomit using paper towels, and use as many as you require.
  • Then get a bucket with plain water and add a few drops of laundry detergent, Dip a cloth in the mix and use it to wipe clean the seat.
  • Once clean, use an odor elimination spray to eliminate the vomit smell.
Cleaning vomit from leather car seats

How to clean car seats with laundry detergent

  • Dust the seats to collect debris from the interior.
  • Get a bucket of cold water and another with relatively hot water.
  • Add drops of laundry detergent into the hot water, dip a sponge, squeeze out excess water and scrub the seats without soaking them.
  • Once the seats are moistened and you’re satisfied with the cleanliness, use the cold water to remove excess detergent.

How to Wash Clean Car Seats

Dirt in your car’s interior is inevitable unless the vehicle is not in use, although dust will still accumulate inside. Vacuuming cloth car seats weekly is the best solution to avoid dirt, especially dust particles.

However, seasonal cleaning will suffice depending on how often the car is in use and the activities taking place.

How to Wash Clean Car Seats

Cleaning car seats with vinegar and baking soda

You don’t always have to take your car for cleaning services all the time. There are various ways to use locally available supplies at home, like vinegar and baking soda.

Vinegar mixture

  • Mix a small amount of vinegar (¼ cup) and drops of laundry detergent in a bucket of hot water.
  • Make sure they mix evenly, remove the cloth, squeeze excess water, dab the stain
  • And if it’s stubborn, use a brush to scrub it off gently.
  • Once the stain is clean, use the cloth to rinse off the seat.

Baking soda solution

You need a ¼ cup of baking soda and a cup of warm water. Mix them, dip a toothbrush into the solution, then scrub the stain until it disappears. However, if it’s stubborn, leave the solution on the seat for 30 minutes, then scrub. Once the stain is off, use a clean cloth to dab excess solution and leave it to dry.

How to clean grey cloth car seats

Cleaning grey cloth car seats may depend on the nature of stain or dirt. However, if the stain or dirt is stubborn, you’ll need to scrub it off vigorously after treating. These simple steps will guide you through. 

  • Vacuum seats
  • Depending on the stains, pre-treat them.
  • Mix hot water with laundry detergent
  • Use a toothbrush or soft brush to scrub the seats.
  • Clean off excess moisture
  • Repeat the process on all seats
  • Leave the car doors open for seats to dry.
  • Spray a protective coat to prevent excess dirt from settling on fabric, simplifying the next cleaning session.
The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Car Seats with Laundry Detergent
The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Car Seats with Laundry Detergent

Cloth cleaner for car seats

A foam cleaner for car seats is the best option other than liquid soap because it works from the surface. Spot the stain, spray the foam cleaner and scrub it to work the specific area. Take the brush, comb the fabric along the grain, and then the cloth bloats the foam.

If the car seats are clean, let them dry. However, if stains are evident, repeat the process until you achieve the required results.

The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Car Seats with Laundry Detergent
The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Car Seats with Laundry Detergent

What can I use to clean my car seats?

You need several tools to clean your car seats as detailed below;

  • Laundry detergent
  • Two buckets of water; one cold, another hot
  • Toothbrush, soft brush
  • White clean towels or cloth
  • Vacuum cleaner 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to clean car seats at home without vacuum?

To clean car seats at home without a vacuum, you must collect and put all personal items away. Use a handheld broom to dust the seats and sweep away the dirt, then use laundry detergent to clean.

What is the best way to clean cloth car seats?

The best way to clean cloth car seats is by using foam agents because they work on the surface and quickly get off the seats. Vacuum or dust off the seats then apply foam and scrub to desired results.

How do you deep clean cloth seats?

The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Car Seats with Laundry Detergent
The Ultimate Guide on How to Clean Car Seats with Laundry Detergent

Deep cleaning cloth seats means more vacuuming, scrubbing, and wiping to get stubborn stains or dirt off the fabric. You can use a carpet or steam cleaner to achieve the best results. Begin by extensive vacuuming, pre-treat the stains using a stain remover, and then wipe off excess wetness.

How do I dry my car seats after washing them?

Drying car seats after washing them will take some time. However, there are various ways to go about it: leave them to dry in the sun, put them in a room with fans through the night or use a blow-dryer.

What is the best thing to use to clean fabric car seats?

You can use several products to clean fabric car seats like baking soda, vinegar solution, or shaving foam. You don’t need to buy expensive cleaners since the results will be the same. Mixing a little laundry detergent with the mentioned products will work well for you.

Conclusion 

You can clean car seats with laundry detergent and water regularly to keep them looking new. Keep paper towels and wipes in your car to help rescue spill situations instantly by bloating before washing the seats. 

The spot-on arrest of liquid spill accidents will prevent stains on the seats saving you effort and time when cleaning. A clean car interior gives it a new look, but if maintaining cleanliness is a problem, car seat protectors will work well for you.

Also read – wash your hair with laundry detergent?

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