We all spend a great deal of time inside our vehicles, which means our car seats are bound to get dirty over time. Coffee spills, diaper explosions, and pet hair accumulation cannot be stopped altogether, but clearing them soon can reduce the damage. In this post, we’re mentioning the best car seat cleaning hacks that will help keep your vehicle’s interior spotless.
Why Car Seat Cleaning Is Important
Yes, dirty car seats can ruin your car’s look, but what’s even more dangerous is that they pose serious health hazards. According to experts, unclean car seats can shelter millions of microscopic bacteria that damage your body’s immune system, one cell at a time. A car is their home on wheels for many out there, and regular car seat cleaning is something you must never skip.
Make Your Car a ‘No Trash’ Zone
The accumulation of trash is the root cause of dirty car seats and unclean car interiors. We tend to let coffee cups, pizza boxes, chocolate wrappers, and other junk stay in the car longer than they should. Take out the waste as soon as you notice it. You can have a trash bag to collect these items instead of letting them spread—remember to dispose of the trash bag, though!
Act Immediately
Timing is the key when it comes to cleaning your car seats. By clearing them off soon, you can reduce the impact of the damage. Always keep an interior car cleaning kit in your vehicle. It can help you clear off messes that need immediate attention, like coffee spills, food waste, and others.
Use Household Remedies to Clean Car Seats
Several household items that we use every day can help you maintain your car seats better. Here’s the list of items you can use to clean your car seats:
Baking soda: A baking soda solution—prepared with ¼ cup of baking soda and warm water—is an excellent cleaning agent that works wonders on cloth seats. If the stains are deeply embedded, let the solution sit for 30 minutes and then scrub to remove them.
Club soda: Spray the club soda on the stained area. Scrub it with a brush and then wipe it with a microfiber cloth. Remember to use the soda lightly.
Vinegar: To deodorize your car seats, mix vinegar and water, spray it on the seats, and let it dry. Vinegar is antibacterial and antifungal and will neutralize the odor.
Start Using Seat Protectors and Other Essential Products
Using seat protectors is a no-brainer while traveling with children. They are easy to clean and very durable. You can also place baby wipes in spots where your child can reach. Make sure you have sickness bags in your car, and this can come in handy on a long road trip.
Detail Your Car’s Interior Regularly
If you don’t have the time to clean your car’s interior regularly at home, we recommend you visit a professional auto detailing center near you. The professionals there will make your car’s interior, including your seats, clean and sparkling.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
