Dirty and stinky car seats? Need to make the car seats look clean and smell better?
It’s important to clean your car’s interior as much as the exterior. However, if you have got kids, it can be super dirty inside your car. You don’t want to keep your kids somewhere grubby, do you?
So are you wondering how to clean black cloth car seats as changing seats every time can be expensive? Worry not; this article will help you. We have gathered some simple methods for you. With these methods, you can clean fabric car seats at little to no cost.
So let’s get started…
How to Clean Black Cloth Car Seats [4 Effective Methods]
Cleaning black fabric car seats or black upholstery seats are easier because they are less prone to stains and more visible dust. Whereas light color fabric will require you to clean with more effort to eliminate the marks.
We have picked the four easiest methods depending on how filthy your car seats are. You can perform these cleaning processes by using household cleaning items mostly.
Method 1: How to clean car seats with a vacuum
If your car seats are covered with light dust, food debris, fading, and not too stubborn stains, this is the method you need to apply.
Cleaning needs
- ¼ Dish soap
- ¾ Warm water
- Spray bottle
- Shop vacuum
Step 1: Mix some ¼ warm water and ¾ dish soap in the spray bottle.
Step 2: Next, spray it on the seats thoroughly and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to soften the dirt and stain.
Step 3: Vacuum the seats and keep the car door open for 15 to 20 minutes to dry up the remaining moisture.
This method won’t remove the odor of foods or cigarettes. For that, we have different methods. Keep reading to find out the method.
Check Also: How to Clean Suede Car Seats?
Method 2: How to clean car seats at home without vacuum
Don’t have a vacuum? This guide got you covered for that too. This method will work best if it is not too dirty. You can do deep cleaning too, but without a vacuum, it will be demanding for your hands.
If you need light cleaning for your black cloth car seat without a vacuum, follow this method.
Cleaning needs
- ½ Liquid soap
- ¾ Warm water
- Spray bottle
- Small broom & dustpan
- Scrub brush
- Cleaning cloth
The cleaning process in this method is closer to the first one. So, don’t worry that you will need to do it differently as you aren’t using a vacuum.
Step 1: Use a small broom to remove dust and debris. You can use a dustpan to take granules.
Step 2: Mix ¼ liquid soap with ¾ warm water in a spray bottle. Now, spray the solution on the black fabric of the seats and let it sit.
Step 3: Use a scrub brush to remove the dirt stuck deeper.
Well, this method may leave some water stains. As a solution, use a cleaning cloth to dry up the seats by dabbing.
Method 3: How to clean car seats with laundry detergent
This solution is for you if your car seat is made of upholstery fabric. This is mainly for deep cleaning.
Cleaning needs
- ¼ Light laundry detergent
- ¾ Warm water
- Spray bottle
- Shop vacuum
Step 1: Make a cleaning solution with the suggested amount of laundry detergent and warm water.
Step 2: Use a spraying bottle to apply the solution and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes
Step 3: Finally, use the shop vacuum to get rid of the stains and grimes.
Check More: 9 Simple Steps to Cleaning Perforated Leather Seats
Method 4: How to clean car seats with baking soda
The previous methods work best for just removing filth and stains. But what about the odor? We have got a home solution for that too.
Cleaning needs
- Car interior cleaning spray
- Shop vacuum
- Baking soda
Step 1: Apply the cleaning spray on the seats.
Since it’s a cleaning product for a car, it will have different cleaning properties, and they are stronger. You don’t need to let the spray sit for long. Leaving it for a couple of minutes with work well. Also, you can check the instruction for the specific product you bought; it will be written right on the bottle.
Step 2: Next, vacuum the seats as we instructed you to do in the other methods.
Step 3: In the final step, you need to sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the seats. Sprinkling won’t work—you need to spread it with your hand. Then, let the baking soda sit for 10 minutes and vacuum the seats again.
There you go! Now, your black fabric car seats will both look and smell nice.
Bonus: How to Clean Grey Cloth Car Seats
Do you have grey cloth car seats? Wondering about cleaning car seats with light-colored fabric? We added this extra section for you.
Let’s know how to clean fabric car seat stains.
This process is most suitable for a deep cleaning because removing stains from fabric is a little harder. Although taking off stains can be difficult, we will help you with a simple process. Our method will make it easy for you even if you have stubborn stains.
Cleaning needs
- Car interior cleaning spray (or a solution with an equal amount of dish soap + warm water)
- Shop vacuum
Step 1: Spray the liquid cleaning item. If you are using interior cleaning spray, read the instruction to know how long it has to sit before the next step. And if you are using the homemade solution, you need to leave it for 10 to 15 minutes to soften the stains.
Step 2: Now, take a vacuum with a clean attachment. Run the vacuum on the seat slowly to take out the stain.
If the stain is tough in the gray fabric, you need to spray and vacuum again. The stain will go away eventually. You may need to spray and vacuum it repeatedly. Remember, patience is the key while cleaning lighter fabric.
Concluding Thoughts
Your car is like moving home. And we eat, drink (not alcohol, mate!), and smoke sometimes. So, your car is dirty in various ways. On top of that, the car will have stains from many other things if you have a family.
Considering all these, you must clean your car seats, whether black or gray fabric. Here, we have outlined several instructions on how to clean car seat fabric yourself. Pick the one you need—get clean and tidy car seats.
FAQs
How do I make my black car seats look new?
You can do a deep cleaning at home or send it to a car cleaning service. To do it yourself – spray an all-purpose cleaner and leave it for a while. Next, vacuum and spray again until the seats are properly clean and your car’s interior will be sparkling now.
What is the best way to clean cloth seats in a car?
A good interior cleaning product is the best way to clean a car seat. There is the various option in the market. But you can go for a professional wash as well. As they are experts, it’s one of the best ways to clean cloth car seats.
How can I make my cloth car seats look new again?
Use dishwashing liquid, and vacuum the seats repeatedly to clean car seats thoroughly. You should get your car to professional cleaning if you don’t rely on it. And if you want to do it yourself correctly, check the suggested methods.