Why do we need car upholstery cleaners? Unless you and those around you are absolute saints, there’s probably no way you’ll get through your motoring life without having to call on the services of a good car upholstery cleaner. It doesn’t matter how careful you are there’s always that one unexpected time when your morning coffee gets launched over your previously pristine upholstery. It may even require the best leather upholstery cleaner.
Fortunately, when accidents happen, there are loads of products available to restore the look (and smell) of your car. To make it a bit easier we’ll break it down by fabric to make sure you use the correct product on the appropriate surface and won’t be left with a nasty greasy stain or damaged fabric.
We’ll look at the industry-standard leather and fabric cleaners, get a bit specialised with the more niche Alcantara and even a blast from the past with some vinyl cleaner. If you need to spruce up your trim and dashboard, a spot of interior dressing may be what you need.
The best upholstery cleaners shortlist:
Editor’s pick: Autoglym Interior Shampoo – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best leather cleaner: Autoglym Leather Clean & Protect Complete Kit – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best Alcantara and suede cleaner: Autobrite Direct Alcantara – Buy now from Amazon UK
So, don’t despair, there are plenty of different tried and tested products to get things looking and smelling great again. And once you’ve removed those stains, why stop there? You can invest in a fancy air freshener or a decent car vacuum cleaner to keep those pesky crumbs at bay.
The best car upholstery cleaners
Editor's pick
For cleaning stains and removing bad odours from a fabric interior, nothing can beat this. It is also effective for stains on carpets, Alcantara and vinyl, but not leather.
Pros
- Great smell
- Versatile
Cons
- Not good on leather
Runner up
Pros
- Powerful action
- Long lasting
Cons
- Spray area is a bit too narrow
Best all-in-one solution
Pros
- Good all-rounder
- Can be used in the home, too
Cons
- Fragrance is not everyone`s taste
Best car carpet cleaner
Pros
- Quick acting
- Comes with a brush
Cons
- Can be tricky to control flow
Best for deep cleaning
Aside from the actual spot washer, you get cleaning solution and two head attachments: one for hard and one for soft surfaces. The soft bristles in the soft brush attachment were perfect for pretty much any place within a car that needed cleaning.
Pros
- Great for deep cleaning
- Wash and vac in one
Cons
- The tank can fill up quickly
Best leather cleaner
It retains the essential oils needed to keep the leather supple and crack-free. It will also help deodorise the leather too, removing any nasty odours. You can then set about nourishing the leather with the Care Balm.
Pros
- Clean and protect
- Gets rid of odours
Cons
- Instructions could be better
Best all-in-one solution
As with quite a few of the products we've been looking at, this one can also be used around the house for revitalising leather sofas, handbags and jackets.
Pros
- All-in-one solution
- Can be used in the household too
Cons
- Requires a few application for best results
Best Alcantara and suede cleaner
Pros
- Restores 'grippiness'
- Tackles odours well
Cons
- Trigger quality could be better
Best vinyl and rubber cleaner
Spray it onto a vinyl or rubber surface and then buff it with a microfibre cloth for a clean surface and an extra protective layer. It can also be used on exterior vinyl and rubber trim too.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Good on exterior vinyl and rubber trim too
Cons
- Overspray can be difficult to remove
What is the best method for using car upholstery cleaners?
This will depend on the type of upholstery you have and how dirty it is, whether it may require pet hair removal products or otherwise. However, here are some general tips that can help you clean your car’s interior effectively. The first is that before applying any cleaner, vacuum the upholstery thoroughly to remove loose dirt and debris. Use a crevice tool to get into tight spaces, and make sure to vacuum under and between the seats.
The next is to choose the right cleaner. Use an upholstery cleaner that is appropriate for the type of upholstery – for example, Autoglym Rubber & Vinyl care is suitable for interior trim.. It’s always worthwhile reading the product label and following the instructions. Afterwards, test the cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area to make sure it won’t cause any damage or discoloration.
Apply the cleaner using a soft-bristled brush or sponge to work it into the upholstery. Avoid getting the cleaner on any electrical components or sensitive areas. If there are stubborn stains that won’t come out with regular cleaning, consider using a specialized stain remover. Remember to take your time and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using any cleaning product on your car’s interior. We recommend the same with Angelwax’s Enigma Interno as well.
Chris Williams is an Automotive Content Writer for Parkers and CAR Magazine, but he also contributes to Live For The Outdoors and What’s The Best. He trained as an automotive journalist in New Zealand, prior to which he studied International Relations and History.
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