Car Buying Tips

Maintaining the cleanliness and durability of automotive upholstery can be quite expensive as many upholstery professionals charge very expensive rates for even the smallest stain. Fortunately there are a number of inexpensive tricks that can do the job for most minor accidents that may be encountered on a daily basis by most car owners.

These tips often involve the use of common household items that are readily available and easy to use. However, keep in mind that major stains or marks may require the assistance of a professional automotive upholstery service to avoid further damage from improper treatment.

Automotive Upholstery Tips

· Cleaning Automotive Upholstery – Common automotive upholstery like cloth can easily be cleaned using a small vacuum to eliminate surface dust. A crevice tool can be used to clean in between the small cracks of the upholstery.

While vinyl and leather upholstery should be cleaned using a suitable cleaning solution with protector. The protector helps maintain a pliable leather surface as well as prolong its appearance.

· Spills on Upholstery – Spills are bound to happen in any automobile. In case of liquid spills try to soak up as much of the liquid as possible from the surface of the upholstery.

Use a cotton rag or loads of paper towels to absorb most of the liquid spilled onto velour or cloth seats. Apply heavy pressure on the area in order to draw out most of the liquid.

· Removing Heavy Stains on Upholstery – For most colored stains on automotive upholstery especially noticeable ones try dabbing the affected area with a baby wipe. If that does not work, try pre-treating the spot with soda water to wash off the stain.

· Special Treatment for Automotive Leather – Automotive leather is a very popular material for upholstery and at times can also be the hardest to maintain. Automotive leather can also be quite an investment and as such requires meticulous care. In most cases, automotive leather should be cared for delicately in the same way as most fine leather furniture is.

As with any type of leather, automotive leather reacts to extreme temperatures that can be a factor in its premature deterioration. As much as possible stay away from severe cold and heat as well as undue dryness and water.

· Spills on Automotive Leather – Sudden spills on automotive leather can easily be cleaned with a damp cloth. For maintenance purposes, a protectant must be applied regularly in order to preserve the suppleness and moisture of the leather.

Surface residue such as dust should be wiped off on a regular basis in order to avoid build up that can give a grubby outer shell to automotive leather.

· Odor Removal from Automotive Upholstery – Aside from stain, automotive upholstery can easily pick up odors that circulate regularly in the vehicle. After a while, the scent of the automotive upholstery can be quite overwhelming, as the smell tends to stay behind long after the origin has disappeared.

In most cases a deodorizing spray may suffice, be sure to keep the windows open to let the fumes escape with the wind. However in cases wherein the culprit is cigarette smoke, more drastic measures can be employed to drive out the odor.

A quick wash of the upholstery may be needed using a quality cleaning products. However if the smell persists, it may be time to seek professional help.