From the spilled coffee from your morning commute to muddy paw prints, courtesy of the dog park, your car’s interior takes a daily beating. Some things are easier to clean up than others but to keep your car’s inside spruced up, Peruzzi Toyota offers these helpful, easy tips.
First, know what kind of upholstery you’re dealing with. Leather is different from cloth is different from vinyl. And no matter what sort of cleaner you use (or what the label says), it’s always smart to do a spot test on a part that’s out of sight.
- Start by giving your interior a thorough vacuuming. Then tackle any splotches with a clean, damp cloth to get rid of basic surface grime.
- For leather: apply a dab of leather cleaner/conditioner to a damp rag and wipe in small, overlapping circles. Make sure to work it into any cracks or crevices. Use a clean, dry rag and wipe off any excess. When it comes to leather, experts suggest repeating this process a few times a year to keep the upholstery in top shape.
- For vinyl: this surface is similar to leather, in that it cleans up somewhat easily. Start with a damp cloth and a vinyl-approved cleanser. Dirtier surfaces may require an assist from a soft brush. And, like leather, it’s a good idea to repeat this process a few times a year.
- For cloth upholstery: headrests and armrests take a daily beating. Spray stains directly, and let the cleanser penetrate. Now, blot with a clean, damp cloth. It’s not a bad idea to leave car windows down to help fabric dry thoroughly. Another cleaning option is to sprinkle a tough stain with baking soda and salt and let it sit: then spray a combo soda onto it, and scrub that stain away.
Of course, if those options don’t quite do it, renting a steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment is the next step. Be careful not to oversteam/saturate cloth fabric or you may have to deal with a mildew problem. You may need to do some repeat-steaming every few days to finally knock those stains out.
A little attention and care is all that’s needed to keep your car’s interior looking spiffy! If your vehicle has serious upholstery issues, the service experts at Peruzzi Toyota can help you out with a full replacement. Just visit our Toyota service center to learn more about how we can help. If you’re looking for a new vehicle, look no further than Peruzzi Toyota’s huge selection of nearly 300 new Toyota vehicles available for purchase or lease near Allentown, PA and Bethlehem, PA. If you’re looking for something less expensive or from a different brand, Peruzzi Toyota also has an inventory of nearly 500 pre-owned vehicles available for purchase in Hatfield, PA. Visit us today at 2601 Bethlehem Pike in Hatfield, PA or give us a call at 877-545-2111 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
