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The interior of your vehicle can really tell a story about the owner. When you take a look inside and see dusty upholstery, leftover takeout containers, and other bits of trash, you might consider it easy to clean. However, stains are a completely different story. Regardless of the type of stain, it is important to take action sooner rather than later. The longer you leave a stain unchecked, the more difficult it will be to remove it. Not to mention the effect stains have on the resale value of your vehicle.
What you need to do.
The first thing you will need to do is to gently blot the affected area with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel. You want to press firmly enough to let the towel “suck” up the surface liquid without pushing it further into your vehicle’s upholstery.
When attempting to stain removal yourself, you will need to choose the appropriate stain remover. Avoid buying unknown products and stick to reputable brands on the market. Before you choose a stain remover, make sure that you read the label thoroughly and determine whether or not it is safe to use on your car’s interior. Furthermore, you will need to test the stain remover on a small unnoticeable area before you proceed to manage the stain itself. In other words, test the stain remover on a small, hidden part of your car’s seat or carpet and follow the instructions. Once you are sure that the remover is safe, you can then proceed with stain removal.
For leather, you might need to apply a leather conditioner to the area before attempting to remove the stain. Again, just like with fabric upholstery, it’s important to test the stain remover on an unnoticeable area first and then follow the directions to the letter.
Handy tips!
Some handy hacks for removing common stains include using rubbing alcohol and water to remove ink stains. Alternately, you can also try hairspray. Just make sure that you wipe up as you go so that the stain does not run and spread over a larger area. Greasy and oily stains can be removed with a watered-down paint thinner. You will need to mix a 1:1 ratio of water and paint thinner to achieve the best results. However, remember that paint thinners can be quite harsh, so it’s important to test the paint thinner on an unseen area first. After applying the watered-down solution, sprinkle some salt on top and allow it to sit for several hours (overnight if possible) before you vacuum.
Coffee is another common and tough stain which can successfully be removed provided you act quickly and follow the correct steps. First, blot with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to collect the excess coffee. Apply glass cleaner and allow to sit for approximately 5 minutes. Blot a second time to remove the stain. Take care not to rub or scrub and, if the stain is not completely gone, you can then use some regular household dishwashing liquid and water to remove what’s left.
Should a pet or passenger become car sick, you can remove this stain by cleaning with paper towels to remove any surface solids or liquids. Then apply water and wash the area with some warm water and mild soap. You can then apply some club soda (use the blotting technique) to remove the stain. Baking soda and water mixtures also work to remove these kinds of stains. They also help get rid of the smell.
The job is not done yet.
Once the stain is out, you might notice that the area is cleaner than the rest of your upholstery. This is why you need to perform a full upholstery clean for best results. There are many kinds of stains, and the number one rule is to act as quickly as possible. Although the tips mentioned above can help if you’re in a bind, there really is no substitute for a professional clean. In fact, in most cases, trying the DIY approach can often make the stain worse and even more difficult to remove.
At Wash Me Now, we use the very best cleaning materials, substances, and steam to ensure best results. Not only are harsh chemicals avoided to protect your car, but also to protect the environment. Our professional team is fully mobile within the GTA and happy to perform stain removal as well as full car detailing (inside and out) to give you that showroom fresh feel! Call us – (647) 607-5199.