Dreams about four wheels come true Just three decades ago in Poland it was much easier...
You can get in!
(photo Moje Auto)
There has already been a comparison of a clean table to the cockpit in our car. So today we're talking about a chair, an armchair or a living room sofa, on which we also spend most of our day. The analogy to them would, of course, be car seats, although for me the word "upholstery" covers several other elements. Or do you have it so that before you sit down, you instinctively check to see if everything is OK?
Upholstery dirt is not always visible
Similarly to the cockpit, I will first define my "upholstery territory". In addition to the seats and headrests, this includes the backs of the front seats, the armrest on the central tunnel (and the foldable one on the sofa), as well as the door panels and the storage compartments therein. as well as seat belts. I'm deliberately leaving out carpeted areas, because I'll talk about them in the next blog entry, and now we'll have something to do anyway.
Most cars have textile upholstery, ranging from completely smooth to combined patterns and textures. High-end cars are still distinguished by natural leather, but thanks to synthetic imitation it has also appeared in popular models. Today, however, another product of the chemical industry - Alcantara - is a hit. However, seat covers are becoming a thing of the past. If anyone else decides to use them, they must check whether they have side airbags. Covered ones will not fulfill their role in the event of a collision or accident!
By the way - who remembers wooden beads, popular years ago? On the one hand, they provided ventilation (ok, they prevented our body from sticking to the artificial upholstery), on the other hand, they served as an auto-massage :)
What do we use to dirty the upholstery?
Each upholstery is equally exposed to mechanical damage, but we will focus on dirt. As a rule, I avoid eating and drinking in the car, but I don't always manage to stick to this decision. Collecting a few crumbs is not a problem, but it is worse if it is a stain from coffee, a sweet drink, ice cream or chocolate. Children have a full set of creative inventions on this topic. Hmmm, and what remains after traveling with our pet? In this case, it is worth using a protective mat, a carrier or a harness. The easiest way to remove hair from upholstery is with a clothes roller.
Our clothes can also be a source of dirt. Dyeing fabrics is one thing, more often than not we do it unconsciously. Just get into the car with a wet jacket or coat (I take it off and put it in the trunk, I ask my fellow passengers to do the same). Water in contact with our body temperature and running ventilation will begin to evaporate and soak into the upholstery. Therefore, when cleaning, we must also take into account what got underneath. I'm not even mentioning cigarette smoke.
Wash or clean the upholstery?
The frequency of cleaning depends on many factors, so I will use my own example. My car has dark and fabric upholstery, so a quick cleaning once every two weeks is enough. At least once a year, in the summer, I decide to thoroughly wet wash my clothes. However, there are situations when you need to do it more often, or rather on an ongoing basis. Owners of cars with light upholstery face this challenge more often.
(photo: My Car)
I start each upholstery cleaning with vacuuming. Drivers who can connect the device to a home socket are in the best situation. The rest can use either a vending machine at a gas station or a portable (cordless or connected to a cigarette lighter) model of a vacuum cleaner. Honestly, I choose the option with my own device with interchangeable tips, thanks to which I can reach every crease, pocket and nook. Finally, wipe them with a damp cloth - I keep coming back to the colorful microfiber ones. An alternative is the form - also used in previous blog entries upholstery cleaning cloths soaked preparation for upholstery and fabrics.
Ways to clean upholstery
More powerful remedies are available upholstery foam, which easily soaks into the upholstery material. After applying it, I spread it with a microfiber cloth and wait for it to dry. I use it on stains or more serious cleaning atomizer with washing liquid and stain remover. Such an effective two in one. In this case, a brush used for washing hands will be useful to rub in the preparation. Finally, longer airing of the car interior.
(photo: My Car)
In the case of leather, it is important to vacuum more thoroughly and pre-wipe the surface and lines along the stitching with a damp cloth. Now we have to choose a preparation - it can be a spray or liquid balm for cleaning upholstery. The latter is more tedious to apply, but brings a much better effect. Spread the milk with a cloth and rub in thoroughly with circular movements. Its composition should contain added oil that protects the skin against drying, cracking and UV rays. More severe cases, such as stains, can be removed with a soft-bristled brush.
(photo: My Car)
Although the described activities related to seats, I repeat them on the elements assigned to the upholstery in the introduction. These products can also be safely used when child seats become dirty. In the next blog post we will look at your feet, above your head and into the trunk.
