My first car was a 1974 BMW 2002 that had been left under a tree for over a year. The outside took the brunt of that neglect, but the interior was treated just like a car. Not a super cool old BMW like I saw it. The headliner was a thin vinyl perforated cover that could easily be cleaned. Not like the felt feeling, sound deadening headliners of today. Being 16, I grabbed a bottle of 409, a bucket, and a tooth brush to clean the headliner. I already had the front seats out of the car while I cleaned the carpets, so this was an easy job to do “while I was in there. I tested my mixture of 409 to water to make sure it wouldn’t hurt the headliner first. Then I turned on the stereo, (6 button alpine I installed.) and went to town.
As car ownership becomes increasingly common like 91.55% of households reported having access to at least one vehicle in 2020, it is important to know how to properly care for your vehicle. This includes cleaning the interior, which can be tricky since it is subject to a lot of wear and tear. In this article, we will show you how to clean your car’s headliner and seats. We will cover the basics of vacuuming and spot cleaning, as well as deep cleaning with a steam cleaner or upholstery attachment. We will also include tips for pre-treating stubborn stains. With these tips, you can keep your car’s interior looking like new for years to come.
1.Start with the basics- vacuum your car to remove any loose dirt and debris.
2.Use a mild soap and warm water to spot clean any areas of the headliner or seats that are particularly dirty.
3.If you have leather seats, condition them regularly to prevent cracking and fading.
4.To deep clean your car’s headliner and seats, use a steam cleaner or upholstery attachment on your vacuum.
5.If you have any stubborn stains, you can pre-treat them with a spot cleaner before trying to remove them.
1. Start With Basic Car Cleaning
Vacuum your car to remove any loose dirt and debris. This will help you to avoid spreading any dirt around when you start cleaning.
What Type of Vacuum Good To Use
Use a handheld vacuum for best results. If you do not have a handheld vacuum, use the upholstery attachment on your regular vacuum. Be sure to move slowly so that you don’t miss any spots. Here’s the Amazon Choice VacLife Handheld if you need to pick one up.
2. Use a mild soap and warm water
Spot clean any areas of the headliner or seats that are particularly dirty. If you have leather seats, be sure to use a leather cleaner rather than soap and water.
Step-by-Step Process
1. Wet a clean cloth with warm water.
2. Add a small amount of mild soap to the cloth.
3. Rub the cloth over the dirty areas of the headliner or seats.
4. Rinse the cloth with clean water and wipe away any soap residue.
5. Dry the area with a clean towel.
6. If you have leather seats, follow the instructions on your leather cleaner to spot clean any areas that are particularly dirty.
7. Use a steam cleaner or upholstery attachment to deep clean the headliner and seats.
8. Fill your steam cleaner or upholstery attachment with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
9. Add a small amount of mild soap to the water.
10. Turn on the steam cleaner or attachment and run it over the headliner and seats.
11. Let the area dry completely before using it again.
Here’s a Downloadable Checklist For The Basics Above
3. Condition leather seats regularly
To keep your leather seats looking their best, be sure to condition them regularly. This will help to prevent cracking and fading.
Tips to Condition Leather Seats
1. Choose a quality leather conditioner.
2. Apply the conditioner to a clean, dry cloth.
3. Rub the conditioner into the leather in a circular motion.
4. Allow the conditioner to soak in for at least 15 minutes.
5. Wipe off any excess conditioner with a clean, dry cloth.
6. Enjoy your refreshed, conditioned leather seats!
4. Avoid food and drinks in the car
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. Eating and drinking in the car can lead to stains on the upholstery, headliner, and floor mats. If you must eat or drink in the car, be sure to use a place mat or towel to protect the surfaces. And always clean up any spills immediately.
5. Don’t smoke in the car
Smoking in the car not only leaves unpleasant smells, it also coats the interior with harmful chemicals and tar. These can discolor and damage the upholstery, headliner, and windows. If you do smoke in the car, be sure to crack a window to let the smoke escape. And of course, always dispose of cigarette butts in a safe and responsible way.
Follow these tips and your car’s interior will stay looking clean and new for years to come!
4. Use a steam cleaner or upholstery attachment
For a deep clean, use a steam cleaner or upholstery attachment on your vacuum. Be sure to test any cleaners in an inconspicuous area before using them on the entire headliner or seat.
Recommended Steam Cleaner Brands
There are many brands of steam cleaners on the market. We recommend checking out the following brands:
Bissell Steam Shot Hard Surface Cleaner
Bissell Steam Shot Hard Surface Cleaner is a great choice for cleaning your car’s headliner and seats. It comes with a steam mop, hand-held steamer, and attachments for cleaning upholstery. The steam mop is great for spot cleaning, while the hand-held steamer is perfect for getting into tight spaces and crevices. The attachments make it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas and stubborn stains.
Vapamore Primo Steam Cleaner
The Vapamore Primo Steam Cleaner is another great option for cleaning your car’s headliner and seats. It comes with a steam mop, hand-held steamer, and attachments for cleaning upholstery. The steam mop is great for spot cleaning, while the hand-held steamer is perfect for getting into tight spaces and crevices. The attachments make it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas and stubborn stains.
I love how versatile this steam cleaner is. I can use it to clean my car’s upholstery, as well as the floors in my house. It heats up quickly and produces a lot of steam, so it’s great for tackling tough stains. The mop head is also detachable, so I can use it to clean my car’s headliner and seats.
The only downside is that it’s a bit heavy, so it’s not the best option for cleaning your car’s headliner and seats if you have a small car. But if you have a large car or SUV, this steam cleaner will be perfect for you.
I would definitely recommend this steam cleaner to anyone who wants an easy and effective way to clean their car’s upholstery. It’s also a great option for deep cleaning your carpets, so convince you significant other that is the reason you bough it,;)
Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner Machine
If you’re looking for an easy and effective way to clean your carpets, look no further than the Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner Machine. This powerful carpet cleaner will remove dirt, stains, and pet hair with ease. It also has a built-in upholstery attachment that’s great for cleaning your car’s seats and headliner. The Hoover is my go-to choice for carpet cleaning and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a deep clean. Thanks to the upholstery and crevice tools, stubborn stains are no match for this cleaner. It’s also very easy to use and comes with clear instructions. I’m so glad I made the investment in this carpet cleaner – it’s saved me so much time and effort!
McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
The McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner is a great choice for those who want a powerful and versatile machine. It features a 15000-watt boiler that produces continuous steam, making it ideal for tackling tough jobs. The large water tank ensures that you can clean for extended periods of time without needing to refill. This steam cleaner also comes with a wide range of accessories, including an upholstery attachment and a floor brush. The McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner is a great choice for those who want a powerful and versatile machine. It features a 15000-watt boiler that produces continuous steam, making it ideal for tackling tough jobs. The large water tank ensures that you can clean for extended periods of time without needing to refill. This steam cleaner also comes with a wide range of accessories, including an upholstery attachment and a floor brush.
If you’re looking for a deep clean for your car’s headliner and seats, a steam cleaner is a great option. Steam cleaning is a effective way to remove stains and dirt, and it can also help to sanitize surfaces. When using a steam cleaner, be sure to use the upholstery attachment or brush attachment to avoid damaging the fabric. You’ll also want to pretreat any stubborn stains with a spot cleaner before trying to clean them with the steam cleaner.
With a little time and effort, you can keep your car’s headliner and seats looking clean and new. Regular vacuuming and spot cleaning will help to remove dirt and debris, while deeper cleaning with a steam cleaner or upholstery attachment will remove stubborn stains and ground-in dirt. By following these tips, you can keep your car’s interior looking its best.
5. Pre-treat stains
For tough stains, pre-treat with a stain remover before cleaning. Be sure to follow the instructions on the stain remover bottle.
Conclusion
By following these simple tips, you can keep your car’s headliner and seats looking clean and new. Regular vacuuming and spot cleaning will help to remove dirt and debris, while deeper cleaning with a steam cleaner or upholstery attachment will remove stubborn stains and ground-in dirt. By pretreating tough stains, you can ensure that they are removed quickly and easily. So don’t wait – start cleaning your car’s headliner and seats today!
I guess you always start out as a car kid. Smokey and the Bandit, Corvette Summer, Bullitt, Ronin, etc. Throw in a massive match box car collection and add time. I’ve always been drawn to interesting cars. I’ve also always owned used cars, so detailing and some light wrenching were always on the list. My hope is that we can share some knowledge of the do’s and don’ts learned along the way. Be sure to share your own knowledge in the comments!
