Suede car seats certainly add a different kind of luxury and elegance to the car interiors. Besides, they also lessen seat slippage during high-speed and sharp turns. No wonder they are in so much demand among car lovers and used in sports cars.
But to enjoy all the benefits of this suede car seat and retain its posh look and feel, you must clean it properly with proper caution. Otherwise, it will lose its glow and wear out with time.
So, how to clean suede car seats? Keep reading this blog till the end, and you can master the process of cleaning suede car seats.
Things You Will Need for the Cleaning Process
Look at the checklist below before going ahead with the cleaning process:
- Suede brush: It will be needed for brushing out the dirt from the car seat’s surface.
- Microfiber cloth: This cloth can safely and effectively pick up all the accumulated brushed-out dirt and clean up the filthy surfaces of the Suede seats.
- Soft-bristled brushes: These brushes are one of a kind when it comes to cleaning the car seats of a suede. All credit goes to their softness and gentleness on the surfaces.
- Vacuum Cleaner with crevice tool: This device is needed and a must for sucking out the remaining moisture from the seats.
- Paper towels/cloths/sponge: You can use any of the following items to remove the stains based on suitability. All of them are pretty effective and know how to do their work.
- Plastic spoon/plastic scraper/credit card: You will need these things when you scoop up thick food items like ketchup, yogurt, ice cream, etc., from your Suede car seats. Except for removing this kind of stain, they are not that mandatory.
- Lemon: They contain citric acid, making them a powerful yet soft substance for cleaning. They can clean up various stains with total class!
- Water: Use either lukewarm or cold water based on what kind of stain you will be removing. Some stains respond pretty well to the lukewarm water as they can cut through the grease better. On the other hand, you may need to use cold water to remove stains like blood or any other dry/hardened substances.
- Rubbing alcohol: Alcohol is a degreaser that works well to eliminate any stains.
- Spray bottle: If you have stubborn stains to remove, you will need this spray bottle for applying the alcohol solution with a fine mist.
How to Clean Suede Car Seats? [Step By Step Instructions]
Suede is a highly delicate material. So cleaning a suede seat gently with proper caution is more than necessary. Otherwise, you may ruin it instead of giving it a clean look.
Below is a step-by-step process to do the task.
Step 1: Brush out surface dirt using a Suede brush
If your suede vehicle seats look dirty and you want to do some maintenance, clean them with a suede brush. You must clean it immediately if you spill something that could leave stain marks. Otherwise, the stain may get permanent.
So, make sure to clean it right away. The sooner, the better! [Find out how to clean stains as below-stated in Step 3].
While brushing with a suede brush, scrub the area thoroughly by working your way from top to bottom and from right to left. Afterward, use a microfiber cloth to remove the remaining dirt.
Step 2: Clean the dirty surfaces
Always work on the small spaces at a time while cleaning. First, spray the cleanser on the soft-bristled brush over the small corners you will be working on. Avoid over-soaking the Suede as it tends to take a much longer time to dry in comparison to a regular cloth.
Your next task is creating a homogenous lather on the surface. Without making foam, you will not be able to do it. So keep gently brushing the area where the seat cleanser was sprayed.
After brushing, clean the area immediately to prevent the surface from drying. Also, avoid using excessive force when wiping. Otherwise, you may ruin the Suede’s feel and quality, which you will never want.
To remove any remaining moisture, use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool. Lastly, draw the strands upwards using a clean, soft-bristle brush to give the Suede a crisp and clean appearance.
Read Also: How to Clean Car Touch Screen
Step 3: Remove the Stains
Whenever your suede car seats get dirty with stains, make sure to treat them right away. Otherwise, they will just become to get stubborn with time. Besides, the longer-lasting stains are more difficult to remove than the new ones.
However, different stains require different methods of removal. The first step in removing stains of any kind is always to get rid of the staining substances. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to blot the stains gently.
To stop the stain from spreading, you should work in little spaces and move from the edges of the substances toward the center.
Additionally, work gently to avoid harming the Suede and spreading the stain deeper into the seats. Otherwise, instead of cleaning the stains, you may end up ruining them more!
Step 4: Treat the Stains
Once you’ve cleaned all the substances on the surface, it’s time to treat the stains. As every stain is different from each other, the way of treating them also tends to vary.
That’s why, to help you, we have noted a list of the most common stains. Based on your stain on the car seats, use the required technique as follows:
How to clean Pencil, Non-Permanent Ink, and Ground-in Dirts?
These stains are common and can happen anywhere to anyone. Removing these stains may seem pretty hard, but with the right method, it is only a matter of time.
Apply lukewarm water to the affected areas. Scrub them using a moist towel or sponge until it gets cleaned. Ensure to wring the towel or sponge out frequently throughout the cleaning process. Thus the excess water gets drained from the soaked towel/cloth, and you can clean it without any trouble.
How to clean Tea, Black Coffee, Coke, Beer, Wine, and varied Alcoholic Beverages spot?
To clean these spots, use a towel or sponge and lukewarm water. If the stain remains on the surface, it will ultimately need a bit more rough cleaning.
Lemon juice works pretty well in giving a tough fight to the stains, leaving no marks behind. Apply lemon juice to the area, and give it a good rinsing. It will get cleaned up with no remains!
How to clean Ice cream, coffee with cream and sugar, or hair gel stain?
Who doesn’t love having their ice cream or coffee?
But these delicious items are pretty hard to remove if they get spilled; the same goes for the hair gel.
Mix lemon juice with the lukewarm water before soaking the towel in it. Afterward, begin rinsing the affected areas with the soaked towel until the stains are removed. Remember to squeeze the cloth or sponge as tightly as you can. So the excess water gets drained out!
How to clean Syrup, Jelly, Fruit Juice, Mayo, and Ketchup spots?
These are some of the most common food items. No matter how tasty they are, these items can create stubborn stains, giving us a hard time removing them.
However, cleaning these stains is relatively easy.
You need a towel/sponge along with lukewarm water. Soak the towel/sponge in the water, and keep rinsing the affected areas until it becomes clean. Always wrung the towel or sponge out as frequently as possible in between the cleaning.
How to clean Blood, Urine, Excrement, or Protein-Based Stains?
While cleaning this kind of stain, use cold water instead of warm water. Lukewarm water may cause the stains to clump.
Use the same technique as ice cream, hair gel, or coffee with cream and sugar, except for hot water.
How to clean, Dried & Hardened Stains?
This is the most challenging form of stains compared to all the ones above.
Make a solution using an equal part of alcohol with distilled water. Spray it on a microfiber cloth.
With the help of a cloth, gently wipe away the stubborn stains. Next, remove the marks using a different towel soaked under water. Finally, use a dry towel to remove any remaining wetness and residues.
If the stains remain, repeat the entire procedure unless the desired result is achieved. Also, let the area dry out naturally. Leaving the windows or doors wide open can be a good idea.
To Conclude
Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading this article on “how to clean suede car seats?”
So, from now on, take proper care and do your cleaning carefully to have comfy and clean seat rides on every trip!
Just follow the steps as instructed. If you cannot get rid of the stain, make sure to contact a professional detailer to solve the issue as soon as possible. While common household cleansers and remedies work quite well, some severe stains may require expert assistance.
FAQs
Can Suede vehicle seats be steam cleaned?
Yes, you can. Using the correct steam cleaner will take only a moment to clean fabric, leather, and suede seats without needing expert help. Make sure not to use harsh chemicals; use simple cleaning solutions to eliminate dirt, grimes, and stains.
What can I use on suede car seats?
Make a solution using equal parts alcohol with distilled water and then spray it on a microfiber cloth. After then, use the cloth to gently blot the hardened stain while wiping it away using a different towel soaked under water. Finally, use a dry towel to wipe any remaining moisture and residue.
What can be used to clean suede upholstery?
If you don’t have any stain cleaner, diluting white vinegar with water can be a great alternative. However, before using it to clean the visible areas, test it on a small hidden area. As they are potent cleaners, it is better to check them beforehand.