How do you get stains out of car seat upholstery?

Getting stains out of car seat upholstery can be challenging, but it is possible with the right techniques and products. Car seats are subjected to plenty of wear and tear, from daily use to accidental spills. Over time, stains can build up and make your car’s interior look dirty and dingy.

The good news is that you don’t have to live with stained, unsightly upholstery. With some cleaning solutions and a little elbow grease, you can get your car seats looking like new again. Here are some tips and strategies for removing all kinds of stubborn stains from your car’s upholstery.

Types of Stains on Car Seats

Before diving into stain removal methods, it helps to understand the types of stains that commonly occur on car seat fabric:

• Food and beverage stains – Ketchup, coffee, juice, soda, grease, etc.
• Mud and dirt
• Cosmetics – Foundation, lipstick, eyeshadow, etc.
• Oil and grease
• Ink and dye transfer
• Baby formula, vomit, urine, and feces
• Blood
• Paint and craft supplies
• Pet fur and dander
• Mold and mildew

As you can see, car seats are prone to staining from foods and drinks, dirt and spills from daily use, kids and pets making messes, and more. The key is using the right cleaning technique and solution for each type of stain.

General Tips for Removing Stains

Before getting into specific stain treatments, here are some overarching tips to keep in mind:

• Act quickly – the longer a stain sits, the harder it will be to remove. Treat stains ASAP for best results.
• Blot stains – Don’t rub aggressively, as this can grind the stain deeper into the fabric. Gently blot lifting upward.
• Pretest cleaners – Try any new cleaner or technique on an inconspicuous part of the upholstery first.
• Use protective gear – Wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area.
• Read fabric care labels – Consult manufacturer’s instructions for your specific fabric type.
• Clean entire area – Treat and clean the entire seat, not just the stain, so it blends better.
• Try simpler solutions first – Begin with milder cleaners like soap and water.
• Rinse thoroughly – Make sure to remove any cleaner residue completely.

Keeping these basic guidelines in mind will help ensure you get seats looking their best without causing any damage in the process.

Cleaning by Stain Type

Now let’s go through some of the most common car seat stains and how to tackle them:

Food & Beverage Stains

For food and drink spills like coffee, ketchup, juice, and soda, here are some effective treatments:

• Scrape off any excess food or liquid
• Blot the stain repeatedly with a clean cloth or paper towels
• Use a gentle dish soap and warm water solution – make sure to rinse thoroughly after
• Try an upholstery cleaner like Resolve or Capture if dish soap isn’t enough
• Sprinkle baking soda and let sit for a few hours, then vacuum – great for absorbing grease stains
• Use an enzyme cleaner like Nature’s Miracle to break down proteins and starches

Dirt & Mud

For mud or dirt stains:

• Let the mud dry completely first
• Use a soft bristle hand brush to remove any dried dirt
• Create a solution of warm water, mild detergent, and vinegar and sponge on the stain
• Rinse the area thoroughly with clean water to remove all the vinegar and detergent
• Steam clean or shampoo if needed for a deeper clean

Oils and Grease

To treat oily grease stains:

• Sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda to absorb excess grease
• Spray a degreasing spray like Simple Green and let it sit for 5 minutes
• Use a clean dry cloth to blot lift stain
• Rinse with warm soapy water
• Spot clean with an enzyme cleaner or upholstery shampoo

Cosmetics

For makeup stains like foundation, blush, lipstick, and mascara:

• Use hairspray or rubbing alcohol – spritz and blot repeatedly
• Try lid-cleaning wipes like Q-tips
• Make a paste with baking soda and water and gently scrub
• Use a cosmetic stain remover like Carbona Makeup Remover
• Try an enzyme cleaner or spot remover like Zout

Ink and Dye Transfer

To remove ink and dye stains:

• Start with rubbing alcohol – apply a small amount and blot
• Use hairspray or acetone nail polish remover
• Make a paste from cream of tartar and lemon juice and scrub gently
• Use a commercial ink and dye cleaner like Afta Cleaning Fluid

Baby formula, vomit, urine, and feces

For messes made by babies or young kids:

• Scrape and blot up excess mess immediately
• Sprinkle with baking soda to help absorb moisture and odors
• Use an enzyme or bacteria-based pet odor eliminator
• Clean with an upholstery shampoo, vinegar solution, or commercial urine cleaner like Urine-Off
• Rinse extremely thoroughly with clean water
• Allow seats to dry fully in the sun to help remove odors

Blood

To treat dried blood stains:

• Rinse with cold water while stain is fresh if possible
• Make a paste from meat tenderizer and water and gently scrub
• Use hydrogen peroxide or ammonia – spritz, let sit, and blot
• Try an enzymatic stain remover like Biz, Zout, or OxiClean
• For tough set-in stains, use a commercial blood stain remover

Paint and Craft Supplies

To clean dried acrylic, latex, or oil paint:

• Carefully scrape off any thick globs of paint
• Apply rubbing or isopropyl alcohol and blot repeatedly
• Use acetone or nail polish remover – test first as this can damage some fabrics
• Make a baking soda and water paste and gently scrub
• Use a commercial paint remover like Goof Off or Motsenbocker’s Lift Off, following directions

For glue, glitter, markers, and other craft supplies, try rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, or Goo Gone adhesive remover.

Pet fur and dander

To remove pet hair and minimize dander:

• Use a rubber glove or pet hair removal tool to pull off hair
• Wrap sticky tape around your hand to pick up hair
• Use a vacuum with a brush or upholstery attachment
• Spray on a pet hair remover like Fur-Zoff or Rubber Pet Hair Brush
• Use a lint roller or brush to remove hair and dander
• Shampoo upholstery to deep clean, remove odors, and control dander

Mold and Mildew

To treat mold or mildew growth:

• Mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar and spray on the area
• Scrub gently and let the solution sit for 15 minutes
• Use a vacuum with HEPA filter to extract mold and spores
• Purchase a mold and mildew cleaner if vinegar doesn’t remove it all
• Steam clean the upholstery to kill mold and mildew growth

Specialized Car Seat Cleaners

In addition to household cleaners, there are also specially designed car seat cleaners that can help treat tough, set-in stains:

• Resolve Carpet Cleaner: Foaming spray upholstery cleaner with Oxi Boost technology
• Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner: pH-balanced cleaner for leather seats
• Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer: Cleans and protects leather, vinyl, and plastic
• Griot’s Garage Upholstery Cleaner: Foaming spray cleaner safe for leather and fabrics
• Leather Milk Leather Cleaner: Organic soap specifically for leather
• 303 Multi-Surface Cleaner: Great for vinyl, plastic, and rubber surfaces
• Armor All Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner: Foaming spray that lifts stains quickly
• Black Magic Tire Wet: Cleans and leaves a UV-protective finish on plastic and vinyl

Check reviews and test these commercial cleaners first before applying them across your entire upholstery.

DIY Homemade Car Seat Cleaners

You can also make effective car seat cleaners using supplies from your pantry at home. Here are some recipes to try:

All-Purpose Upholstery Cleaner

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• Essential oils (optional for scent)

Mix baking soda and water into a paste. Add vinegar and 5-10 drops essential oil if desired. Scrub into stains and wipe clean with a cloth.

Soap Solution for Delicates

• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tsp clear dish soap or Castile soap
• 1 tsp washing soda (optional)

Mix ingredients into spray bottle. Shake well before use. Test on inconspicuous area and blot clean.

Leather Cleaner

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil or almond oil
• 1/2 tsp clear dish soap

Whisk all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake before each use. Wipe down leather with solution and buff dry with a soft cloth.

Tips for Avoiding Future Stains

While getting stains out of car seats is important, prevention is ideal. Here are some proactive tips to avoid stains in the first place:

• Use car seat covers or blankets to protect upholstery
• Install seat back protectors to guard against kids’ messes
• Use cup holders and don’t drink loose cups in vehicles
• Keep snacks and meals contained in the car to avoid crumbs and spills
• Clean up spills immediately if they do occur
• Vacuum seats regularly to keep dirt at bay
• Shampoo upholstery every few months to control stains and odors
• Park in shaded areas to prevent UV damage and fading

A little prevention goes a long way in maintaining clean, stain-free car interior upholstery!

Professional Car Upholstery Cleaning

For tough, set-in stains or comprehensive interior cleaning, consider hiring professional car upholstery cleaning services. Companies like Stanley Steemer offer car detailing using powerful extractors and commercial-grade cleaners and can perform services like:

• Shampooing all upholstery and carpets
• Vacuuming and scrubbing floor mats
• Steam cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces
• Deodorizing to remove smoke, food, and pet odors
• Stain removal treatments
• Leather conditioning and restoration

Professionals have specialized tools and products inaccessible to consumers. While DIY cleaning can handle basic jobs, a full-service detail from upholstery cleaning experts can truly restore interior surfaces to a like-new condition.

Conclusion

Removing upholstery stains in your car’s seats, carpets, and interior panels can seem daunting. However, by identifying the stain type and using targeted cleaners and techniques, you can lift even stubborn stains and restore your car’s interior to a clean state. With the proper methods and a little elbow grease, you can get rid of pesky stains for good.

Remember to always work safely by testing cleaners first and wearing protective gear. Once you’ve conquered car upholstery stains, maintaining a regular cleaning routine will keep your car’s interior spotless for miles to come.