Cleaning car seats with Vanish: how to quickly and effectively clean the upholstery in your car with your own hands and not leave streaks?

The websites of organizations offering dry cleaning and car washing contain a large number of “before and after” photographs. The effect is amazing: dirty, unkempt seats end up looking almost new.

But not every car enthusiast is ready to resort to the services of professionals: some are stopped by the high cost of work, others are deterred by the desire to do everything themselves.

The main task for those who decide to clean their car seats with their own hands is to choose the best product. It must be effective, safe and affordable.

Many car enthusiasts make their choice in favor of Vanish, but what is behind this - correct advertising or the actual effectiveness of the product? In this article we present step-by-step instructions for cleaning car seats with Vanish.

What types of contaminants in a car interior can be removed?

The more often you use your car, the higher the risk of getting something dirty on the seats. This is especially true for families with children: kids constantly spill, rub and smear things.

Reviews from car enthusiasts indicate that using Vanish you can remove a variety of types of stains:

from drinks (tea, juice, coffee, etc.);
from foods (chocolate, fat);
shoe marks, dirt stains.

The logic behind choosing Vanish is simple - if it's suitable for carpets or furniture, then why not use it to clean textile car seats?
Vanish is used not only for home cleaning, but also in cleaning services that provide professional cleaning of furniture, carpets and other textiles.

This popularity of the product is explained by the fact that it:

suitable for processing pile of any length;
prevents bright colors from fading;
Cleans gently without damaging the fibers.

How to properly wash a car at home

Currently, there are two different options for cleaning car seats: comprehensive and partial car seat washing. If partial is used in cases of specific contamination of a small amount of seat upholstery, then complex allows you to give an incredibly fresh and attractive appearance to the car interior.

Dry cleaning of car seats requires special attention, since the choice of product depends entirely on the specifics of the dirt and the characteristics of the coating. For example, fabric upholstery cannot be easily cleaned with the same detergent as leather interior material. There are special products that are used exclusively for cleaning the plastic part of the interior.

Which Vanish should I choose for my car?

The Vanish name includes products for cleaning stains from clothing, carpets, furniture upholstery and other textile products.

The release form is different:

spray;
moistened powder;
shampoo.

The spray is completely ready for use, just press the dispenser. The shampoo must first be diluted with water in certain proportions and beaten with a sponge or brush until foam appears.

The powder, like the spray, is ready for immediate use. Each of these means has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Shampoo or spray?

The most popular among car enthusiasts are two types of Vanish products:

Shampoo for manual cleaning of carpets . It is a medium-thick liquid that is whipped in water until rich foam. The resulting foam is distributed over the contaminated surface, wait until it dries completely and vacuum thoroughly. Judging by the reviews, the product is used sparingly, and its cost is completely justified - 300-370 rubles. for 600 ml.
Foam for cleaning furniture upholstery . The product comes in the form of a spray and produces foam immediately after spraying, which should simplify the cleaning process. However, car enthusiasts leaving reviews on online forums note that the spray is not entirely convenient to use. The foam is absorbed into the upholstery instantly, so it is difficult to treat the entire surface evenly and efficiently. The spray is consumed quickly, and its cost is slightly higher than that of shampoo: 350-410 rubles. for 600 ml.

Powder: effective, but inconvenient

Vanish in powder form can also be used to clean seats, but several significant disadvantages do not allow us to make a final choice in its favor:

The powder cleans worse than its analogues in the form of shampoo or spray. It is suitable for getting rid of fresh, superficial stains.
When cleaning with powder, no water is required; just sprinkle the product over the surface.
On the one hand, this is an advantage, but on the other hand, it is a disadvantage. The powder cannot be distributed evenly on a vertical surface, so the seat backs will have to be removed or another product must be used to clean them.
The powder is difficult to remove completely.
Its microscopic particles fall between the fibers of the fabric and become inaccessible to the vacuum cleaner. On such a seat, at the slightest contact with moisture, streaks will begin to appear (for example, if you sit on the seat after running several meters in the rain). Under no circumstances should such upholstery be washed, as the manufacturer himself notes in the instructions; you can only vacuum it after it has completely dried. If repeated vacuuming does not help, you will have to contact cleaning specialists for help.

Shampoo for washing vacuum cleaners: a firm no

It is worth noting such a product as shampoo for washing vacuum cleaners . Theoretically, it can be used to clean car seats, but in practice this is impossible. Even the smallest attachment will be too bulky for the seats.

The idea of using detergent for vacuum cleaners during manual cleaning is also not a good one. Products intended for special equipment always have a higher concentration of active substances.

This means that you will have to be in contact with a fairly aggressive substance for a long time, which can affect your overall well-being. And it is unknown how safe such an active product is for seat upholstery.

Useful tips

Doing your own dry cleaning is not always a bad option. Careful cleaning using specialized auto chemicals will give excellent results, and you will save money. It’s a pity that after a while the salon will become dirty again.
It is best to choose a sunny and warm day for cleaning the interior. The entire process may take from 5 hours to several days, during which the interior will dry out.
Protect your hands with rubber gloves. After all, if you use chemicals that dry out the skin, it can cause irritation or discomfort.

Checklist of necessary items for manual cleaning

To effectively clean car seats, in addition to the cleaning agent itself, you will need:

Soft large sponge . The smaller it is, the longer it will take to apply the foam, so it is better to choose a larger size.
Delicate brush . The soft bristles allow you to apply the cleaning foam intensively without the risk of damaging the upholstery.
Gloves. Vanish is considered a gentle product, but even the most gentle cleansers have a negative effect on the skin of your hands.
Bucket or basin with water . We will dilute shampoo in it.
Vacuum cleaner. Necessary for preparing seats for wet cleaning.
A pair of soft microfiber cloths . You will need them to complete the cleaning.

Removing paraffin

Sometimes paraffin from candles gets on the seat upholstery. It is easy to remove. For this you will need cornstarch and baking soda. Use this mixture to rub the dirt and vacuum it.

An ice cube is often used instead of baking soda, which can also remove stains from your car's upholstery. To do this, ice should be kept on the site of contamination until it completely hardens. After this, using handy means, you need to scrape off the stain. A knife, spoon, or even a credit card will do.

If the stain is old, then you should add a little Vaseline and leave for fifteen minutes. ]Baking soda also acts as a deodorizer.

How to clean it yourself: detailed instructions

To properly clean the seats yourself, it will take about 4-5 hours, taking into account the time required for them to dry completely. First of all, let's look at the process of cleaning textile upholstery.

The work can be divided into several stages:

Preparing the seats for processing. We pre-clean them with a vacuum cleaner. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner, you can tidy up the seats using a damp brush. In the latter case, it is important not to rub dust and dirt on the upholstery, but to make short movements from the center of the seat to the edges, as if you were sweeping with a brush.
We dilute Vanish shampoo in a suitable container. The instructions recommend a ratio of 1:9, but for cleaning seats the concentration can be increased to 1:5 (1 part Vanish x 5 parts water). Using a sponge, beat the water until a thick foam appears.
We prepare the means at hand: a basin or bucket of water and rags.
Distribute the foam over the seat and rub it using a brush or sponge.
You need to apply the foam evenly, directing your movements in one direction, for example, from the back edge of the seat to the front. We carefully process every centimeter of upholstery so as not to leave dirty areas. It is important to apply the foam and not squeeze the wet sponge onto the seat. Excess moisture will make subsequent cleaning and drying of the upholstery difficult.
Leave the product on the seat upholstery until completely dry, on average this takes 1.5-2 hours. The same period of time is indicated on the label. During this time, the active substances will penetrate into the fibers of the fabric and “push out” the dirt, which is why the drying foam will turn gray.
Removing shampoo residue:
using a microfiber cloth: wet it in water, squeeze it out and remove the foam from the upholstery, then, after rinsing and squeezing again, vigorously wipe the surface of the seats in a circular motion; If foam appears again, carefully remove it and rinse the cloth in clean water, repeat until the remaining product stops foaming.
We finish cleaning. When there is no foam left on the seat, wipe the dampened upholstery with a dry cloth under pressure to dry it as much as possible.
Leave the seats to dry completely for at least 1.5-2 hours. If possible, it is better to leave the car with the windows slightly open all night: the seats will completely dry, and there will be no foreign odors left in the cabin.

Can velor surfaces be cleaned?

Velor is a fabric type of upholstery, but it is much more demanding to care for than regular textiles . Since this material easily accumulates dust, the first thing you need to clean it is a good vacuum cleaner with a delicate attachment. This will remove dust from the seats without damaging the delicate fabric.

Stains on the surface of such seats can be wiped with a soft cloth soaked in soapy water. Vanish products are not suitable for processing velor, because... it contains bleaching agents.

In case of significant contamination, it is wiser to contact specialists . Their arsenal includes cleaning products suitable for delicate fabrics.

Is it suitable for leather?

Leather interior, like velor, requires careful handling. There are special products for caring for leather products, which Vanish does not apply to.

Products developed for leather goods include shampoos, conditioners, tinted or clear creams. Their use allows not only to clean the surface of the leather seat, but also prevents the appearance of cracks and abrasions on them.

What about vinyl?

Vinyl upholstery is one of the easiest to maintain . For easy cleaning, simply apply glass or dishwashing detergent to its surface and wipe with a soft cloth.

For more significant contamination, it is permissible to use simple home remedies such as soda, ammonia, and soap. Places that are difficult to reach with a vacuum cleaner, such as seams, can be cleaned with a toothbrush.

Vinyl can be cleaned without any difficulty using simple home remedies . There is no need to use Vanish to clean these seats.

A minimum set of products and tools for cleaning any car seats

There is no point in purchasing things like a steam generator or ionizer for domestic use, just as there is no point in buying industrial vacuum cleaners. We will describe the minimum set, which will be enough to dry clean the seats of your car yourself.

Vacuum cleaner. The more powerful the better. The vacuum cleaner must not have a dust bag. In principle, these are now used at home. Don't worry, you won't ruin it, it will only be needed to collect foam.
Sponge. Any one will do, but it’s better to choose a larger and denser one, it will be more convenient to work with.
Brush. It must be selected individually, just focus on the upholstery material of your cabin. Don't overdo it with rigidity.
Bucket and rubber gloves. Here it is for your taste and color.
Hot water. It's hot, not warm.
Well, the most important component of the process is the cleaning agent .

Let's dwell on the issue of choosing chemicals for cleaning the car interior. Let's not focus on brands and manufacturers. Let's look at the qualities and characteristics that this chemistry should have.

Concentrate with high foaming rates. Do not put foam in a spray can. This will cost you a lot and is unlikely to achieve the desired result.
Chemicals should not contain aggressive solvents.
It is preferable to use chemicals with a neutral pH.

Don’t look for such chemicals in auto stores; you can rarely find them there.
You can buy it in any city where there are car washes. Just use the Internet and enter something like: “Buy chemicals for car washes in city N” in the search bar. Managers will not refuse you to purchase goods from them and, perhaps, will even arrange delivery for you with a forwarder.

Don't take the most expensive one. You can buy good chemicals for 400-600 rubles per liter, which will be enough for you to clean the seats of your car more than once.

Professional dry cleaning: how much and when?

One of the reasons for cleaning car seats yourself is the high prices for this type of service. In the regions the cost is 3,000 rubles. and higher; in Moscow – from 5000 rubles.

It is difficult to determine the upper price limit; it depends on related services, location of the salon, type of upholstery, type of car body and many other factors.

In some cases, it is still worth turning to professionals, despite the high prices . These include:

Old, difficult to remove stains. There is a risk of wasting your time and nerves without any tangible results.
Traces of glue, plasticine, chewing gum. Vanish is not intended to remove this type of contamination, so the smart solution would be to contact a specialist.
The need to clean not only the seats, but also the entire interior.
Practice shows that it is possible to deal with the seats yourself, but cleaning the ceiling causes great difficulties. You have to constantly hold your hands up, rubbing the cleansing shampoo with force. As a result, your hands quickly get tired, it’s impossible to apply foam evenly, and as a result, stains from the cleaning agent are added to the dirt on the ceiling.
Lack of time. Preparing the seats for cleaning will take about 30-40 minutes. Add to this the time for applying the foam, waiting, subsequent removal of the foam and final drying.
As a result, the entire cleaning will take at least 5-6 hours. At the same time, in order to save time, you should not neglect any stage.
During the same time, specialists will clean not only the seats, but the entire interior. In addition, professionals use special equipment to dry the car, which reduces cleaning time without compromising quality.

Auto chemical goods

On my other car, after a year of operation, I tried professional Grass chemistry. Costs about 130 rubles. The effect is exactly the same as that described above, but you don’t need to shake anything.

The foam is applied directly from the bottle sprayer. At first I tried applying it directly to the seat fabric, but it turned out that it was easier to apply more onto a sponge and rub it into the seat. Then I clean it with a wet rag, as in the method described above. I wait an hour or two until the interior dries and looks like new.

This also includes Amway chemistry. I haven’t personally used it, but my friend assures me that the effect is excellent. I'll have to check it out.

TOP 3 alternative remedies

Any upholstery is subject to wear and contamination, but modern car enthusiasts are lucky: there is a wide choice of products designed to solve this problem.

The following tips will help you choose the right products:

the use of the drug allows you to remove dirt without causing damage to the fibers and maintaining the brightness of the fabric;
the cleaning product contains no hard particles that could cause damage to the product;
The product is manufactured by a well-known brand with a good reputation.

In accordance with the listed criteria and customer reviews, we can highlight a rating of three textile cleaning products that are a worthy replacement for Vanish:

LOC from AMWAY, USA .
Amway offers a concentrated multifunctional cleaning product. It removes not only fresh stains, but also old dirt. Simultaneously with cleaning, the product disinfects the surface and leaves an unobtrusive aroma.
The advantage of the product is its economical consumption, but the disadvantages include the cost - 550-600 rubles. per bottle.
Unicum Spray for cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture, Russia. It copes with both new and old traces of dirt, maintains the brightness of the color, and leaves a protective layer on the treated surface that prevents rapid re-contamination. Unicum is sold at an affordable price - 170-220 rubles.
Kärcher, Germany .
This product is one of the best in its category. The main advantage is the combination of a high degree of efficiency with an environmentally friendly composition. It not only cleans effectively, but also creates a protective layer on the treated surface, prolonging freshness and cleanliness. The product is completely environmentally friendly and safe, including for people suffering from allergies. The consumption is quite economical, which justifies the high cost - 590-650 rubles.

Details

How to clean car seats from stains

The key to quality cleaning is the correct choice of chemistry. The following should be taken into account:

Do you like guys with long hair?

Not really

Good foam formation and active foam, which is necessary to push dirt out of the fabric fibers and its final removal. It is the foam that needs to be distributed over all the textiles in the car interior; there should be no rubbing or soap washing.
The composition of the product must be non-aggressive and free of abrasive particles that can damage the fabric.

REFERENCE! Powders and other dry mixtures are not suitable for such cleaning. The chemical must be liquid and have good solubility.

Vanish - has many products, not all of which are suitable for interior cleaning. You can use spray, wet powder or shampoo for this purpose. Powder is the least suitable because its granules do not completely dissolve and can leave streaks. The spray is much more convenient to use; after pressing, the liquid is sprayed onto certain areas, after which a foam is formed that removes dirt. The most suitable form of Vanish for cleaning the car interior is shampoo. It only needs to be dissolved in a small amount of water to get a lush foam. The resulting product efficiently cleans the interior of stains without leaving streaks.
Unicum is an Israeli remedy, not as famous as Vanish, but gradually gaining popularity. This product is suitable for cleaning the interior in the form of a spray and liquid shampoo. Using a spray you can cope with the removal of individual contaminants. But when cleaning the seat, it is better to clean everything at once, otherwise the cleaned area will look no better than the original stain against the background of the rest of the dirty seat.

Automotive chemicals for cleaning the car interior

Specialty chemicals are represented by a wide range. The most popular are the following:

Folk remedies

If you want to save not only on the dry cleaning procedure, but also on chemicals, you can use the means at hand, but doing this is highly undesirable.

When using folk remedies, you need to be careful and know that you can get unpredictable results.

Baking soda and citric acid - used to clean car seats in the form of two solutions that form a foam upon contact, pushing out dirt. To use these products, you need to prepare a solution of 25 g of citric acid and half a liter of water with the addition of 5 g of detergent. The prepared solution is applied to contaminated areas from a spray bottle. Then the next solution is made from 15 g of soda and 0.5 liters of warm water, after which it is applied from a spray bottle on top of the previous product. The solutions begin to interact, resulting in foam, which should be removed after drying.
Vinegar can be used to remove foreign odors from inside a car, but is not suitable as a stain remover. You need to dissolve a little vinegar in warm water and apply the solution from a spray bottle to the upholstery.
Laundry soap - used to clean local stains on seats. You just need to make a solution of soap and water in a 1:1 ratio.

Reviews from car enthusiasts

A simple search query is enough to find many reviews on the Internet about cleaning seats using Vanish with real photos and videos.

Here are just a few of them:

https://forums.drom.ru/70/t1150972704.html
https://www.drive2.com/l/7114276/

The authors of some publications get rid of stains by applying undiluted product directly to the stain.

This method may be effective in some cases, but it creates the risk of streaks on the seat upholstery. Use it or not - decide for yourself.

Why you need to clean your car well

The interior of your favorite car should always shine in beautiful, fresh colors, just like from a car showroom! To return the vehicle to its original appearance, which attracts and attracts the attention of others, dry cleaning of car seats must be carried out using high-quality and safe materials that cannot damage the upholstery material.

Considering the fact that seat upholstery can absorb a significant amount of harmful elements, the seats in the car should be thoroughly cleaned regularly using modern available detergents. Thus, dry cleaning of car seats is not so much the work of professionals, but rather the responsibility of a truly attentive and caring motorist.