Seats shape the impression of a car interior more than anything else. Spilt coffee, felt-tip marks on the rear bench, dust and grit working into the fabric: over time all of this makes even a well-kept car look tired.
Regular seat cleaning does not need a valeting service. A vacuum cleaner, warm soapy water and spot treatment of stubborn stains are enough. Here is how to do it at home without soaking the foam or leaving tide marks.
What you will need
- vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool
- bucket of warm water with a little laundry detergent
- bucket of clean cool water
- sponge and 2-3 microfibre cloths
- WD-40 Multi-Use for stubborn stains
- WD-40 Smart Straw for precise application
Important: Test any product, including WD-40, on a hidden area of the seat first (underneath or at the back). Do not use WD-40 on leather seats and do not over-wet the fabric: moisture trapped in the foam causes odours and mould.
Step 1
Vacuum the interior thoroughly
Start with the vacuum cleaner, covering the whole interior, not just the seats. Use the crevice tool between the cushion and backrest, along seams and side gaps, where crumbs, sand and winter road salt collect and wear the fabric. Slide the seats forwards and back to reach the floor underneath.
Step 2
Wash the seats with warm water
Dip the sponge into the warm detergent solution and wring it out well. Wipe the whole seat surface evenly, spending longer on dirty areas. Clean the entire panel rather than just the stain, or a pale ring will remain.
Never pour water onto the fabric: the sponge should be damp, not wet.
Step 3
Remove the residue with clean water
Dampen a microfibre cloth in cool clean water, wring it out and go over the seat again. This picks up loosened dirt and detergent residue, which would otherwise attract fresh dust. For routine care this is enough.
Step 4
Test on a hidden area
Stubborn stains often resist water. Before using any product, apply a little to a hidden spot, wait and wipe. If colour and texture are unchanged, carry on. This prevents the stain from ending up bigger than before.
Step 5
Lift the stubborn stain with WD-40
WD-40 Multi-Use helps with coffee, ballpoint pen, felt-tip, wax crayon and grease marks. Apply a small amount precisely to the stain, ideally using the thin straw of WD-40 Smart Straw. Wait a few minutes for it to penetrate and soften the mark.
Then wipe with a sponge dampened in warm soapy water, working from the edge of the stain towards the centre. Pick up the residue with a clean damp microfibre cloth.
Step 6
Dry the interior
Leave the doors or windows open, and in cold weather run the heater on warm air. Do not sit on the seats until the fabric is completely dry, or you will leave dents and marks from clothing.
Tip: Clean the seats in dry weather or in a heated garage: during a Ukrainian autumn or winter, fabric in a cold car can take a day or more to dry and starts to smell damp.
What next
Vacuum the interior every 1-2 weeks and give the seats a wet clean once a season, plus straight away after any spill. Fresh stains come out easily, old ones bind into the fibres. Keep WD-40 Multi-Use in the car for other jobs too, from squeaky door hinges to frozen locks.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».