Cleaning auto upholstry, Steam cleaner? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

shadrock · 07-28-2003, 05:39 PM

Can you use one of those steam cleaners they rent at the grocery store to clean auto upholstry? Anyone else got some good suggestions for really cleaning it out without paying to have it professionally done? Or is a pro the way to go?

seethreepo · 07-29-2003, 09:24 AM

are you spot cleaning to remove a stain or just overall ?

if spot cleaning the local auto supply place will have a variety of products. I've used Armor All stuff with success.

just remember to try any cleaning product or method on a small
inconspicous area to test for color fastness.

otherwise I dont see a problem with steam cleaning. apart from perhaps drying times.

ozracn2 · 07-29-2003, 12:57 PM

steam cleaning does work good, and the rug doctor with the set of optional attachements will do the trick. I might suggest that if you plan on using the thing like 3 or more times a year, it would probably be cheaper to just buy a small bissell cleaner, then you would only have to buy the solution.

If you are doing some spot cleaning, I would like to suggest a little product made by Blue Magic. I used that stuff and it took out some paint overspray on my seats and carpet that I had, ( I actually wasn't expecting it to take anything out, and bought it for a soda stain? i think, but it ended up taking out the overspray from when I repainted my car). I bought the foaming version that time, but have also bought the original type. Another option would be Oxi-Clean. I have used this on my house carpet to remove grease stains with much success. It would probably not take out the pain stain though, but I have no proof to back up that claim.

The last suggestion I can make is to get some sort of uposltry (sp) brush so that some good elbow grease can be used in trouble spots. Also, be sure to pick a good sunny day when you don't need to drive it for that day so the seat can dry and you won't be left with a wet spot on your pants.

shadrock · 07-30-2003, 06:22 PM

I am planning on giving the whole interior a once over. Probably won't do it more than once a year. I try to keep it pretty well vacuumed all the time. But I do play rugby and so mud finds its way in no matter how careful I am. I'm going to rent one and test it in the back. I'm planning on getting a liner for the cargo area soon anyway. Thanks!

merkerguitars · 07-30-2003, 08:51 PM

The best way to clean the carpet is what I did.
1. Take the whole chunk of carpet out.
2. Cut it into about 3-4 sections
3. Put it in the washer.
4. Let air dry.
5. Reinstall

Mephisto2 · 07-31-2003, 03:22 PM

That made me laugh...

07-28-2003, 05:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
shadrock Crazy	Cleaning auto upholstry, Steam cleaner? Can you use one of those steam cleaners they rent at the grocery store to clean auto upholstry? Anyone else got some good suggestions for really cleaning it out without paying to have it professionally done? Or is a pro the way to go?

07-29-2003, 09:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
seethreepo Addict Location: outer reaches of space	are you spot cleaning to remove a stain or just overall ? if spot cleaning the local auto supply place will have a variety of products. I've used Armor All stuff with success. just remember to try any cleaning product or method on a small inconspicous area to test for color fastness. otherwise I dont see a problem with steam cleaning. apart from perhaps drying times. __________________ rub it and see.

07-30-2003, 08:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	The best way to clean the carpet is what I did. 1. Take the whole chunk of carpet out. 2. Cut it into about 3-4 sections 3. Put it in the washer. 4. Let air dry. 5. Reinstall __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

07-29-2003, 12:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
ozracn2 Upright	steam cleaning does work good, and the rug doctor with the set of optional attachements will do the trick. I might suggest that if you plan on using the thing like 3 or more times a year, it would probably be cheaper to just buy a small bissell cleaner, then you would only have to buy the solution. If you are doing some spot cleaning, I would like to suggest a little product made by Blue Magic. I used that stuff and it took out some paint overspray on my seats and carpet that I had, ( I actually wasn't expecting it to take anything out, and bought it for a soda stain? i think, but it ended up taking out the overspray from when I repainted my car). I bought the foaming version that time, but have also bought the original type. Another option would be Oxi-Clean. I have used this on my house carpet to remove grease stains with much success. It would probably not take out the pain stain though, but I have no proof to back up that claim. The last suggestion I can make is to get some sort of uposltry (sp) brush so that some good elbow grease can be used in trouble spots. Also, be sure to pick a good sunny day when you don't need to drive it for that day so the seat can dry and you won't be left with a wet spot on your pants.

07-30-2003, 06:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
shadrock Crazy	I am planning on giving the whole interior a once over. Probably won't do it more than once a year. I try to keep it pretty well vacuumed all the time. But I do play rugby and so mud finds its way in no matter how careful I am. I'm going to rent one and test it in the back. I'm planning on getting a liner for the cargo area soon anyway. Thanks!

07-31-2003, 03:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	That made me laugh...