Cleaning the Upholstery

To prevent soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing to remove dust and dirt is recommended. In most cases, quickly wiping down a seat with a damp cloth will remove dirt, spills, and pet hair.

To preserve the upholstery and prevent damage, review the following sections for recommended cleaning procedures.

Cleaning Cloth Seats

Vacuuming cloth seats regularly and quickly wiping down the seats with a damp cloth to remove dirt, debris, spills, and pet hair should keep the seats looking new.

For resistant or greasy stains, spray a small amount of upholstery cleaner on the stain, work it in with a small scrub brush, and let it sit for fifteen minutes prior to wiping it up. For larger areas, start at the top of the stained area so any dirty solution drips down. Follow any product label directions about diluting the cleaner prior to use.

If seats are deeply soiled, clean in multiple rounds or, if possible, remove the seat covers and wash them in a washing machine.

CODURA ® cloth seats: If needed, apply a mild liquid soap to a damp cloth and rub the stained area. Follow this with wiping down the area with a clean water dampened cloth. Allow to seats to dry before using them. Spray-on upholstery cleaners can also be used and then vacuumed off.

Durawear ™ cloth seats: Durawear fabric is coated with PVC on the backside, making the seats waterproof. Start cleaning with a water dampened cloth. If needed, use upholstery cleaner or, if the seat covers are removable, wash them in washing machine. Do not dry Durawear seat covers in a dryer. Allow seat covers to air dry before using.

If needed, Durawear seats can be disinfected by wiping them down with solution consisting of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water.

Fabriform ® seats: Fabriform is a tri-laminate of film, foam, and fabric with superior wear resistance. To clean dirt, stains, and spills, wipe with a damp cloth. If needed, scrub with a soft scrub brush with mild soap or use an upholstery cleaner. Fabriform seats can be hosed off, if necessary.

Faux Leather Cleaning

In general, faux leather seats can be wiped clean with a rag and warm water.

Water-soluble spills and stains can be removed with mild soap and water. Gently wipe the stain with a soapy cloth or sponge. After cleaning the stain or spill, remove any remaining soap solution by wiping the area with a cloth and clean water. As a final step, dry the surface with a soft lint-free cloth or towel.

Non-water soluble stains caused by oils, such as lotions and foods, can be cleaned with 50 percent solution of isopropyl alcohol and water. Rinse the cleaned area with water after applying the alcohol solution. Dry with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Faux leathers can be disinfected by wiping them down with solution consisting of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water. After disinfecting, wipe down with a clean damp cloth and then dry with a clean dry cloth.

Avoid cleaners containing abrasives, as these can damage the product’s coating.

Vinyl Upholstery Cleaning

Harsh cleaning agents can cause permanent damage to vinyl upholstery. Waxing or refinishing improves soil resistance for all vinyls.

Ordinary Dirt

Wash the upholstery with warm water and mild soap, such as saddle or oil soap. Apply soapy water to a large area and let it soak for a few minutes, then rub briskly with a cloth to remove the dirt. This can be repeated several times, as necessary.

If dirt is deeply imbedded, use a soft bristle brush after applying the soap.

If dirt is extremely difficult to remove, wall-washing preparations normally found around the home can be used.

Powdered cleaners, such as those used for sinks and tiles, are abrasive and must be used with caution as they can scratch the vinyl or give it a permanent dull appearance.

Chewing Gum

Harden the gum with an ice cube wrapped in a plastic bag, then scrape it off with a dull knife. Any remaining traces of gum can be removed with an all-purpose light oil (peanut butter will also work) and wiped off.

Tars, Asphalts, and Creosote

Each of these items stains vinyl after prolonged contact. They should be wiped off immediately and the area carefully cleaned, using a cloth dampened with naphtha.

Paint, Shoe Heel Marks

Paint should be removed immediately. Do not use paint remover or liquid-type brush cleaner on vinyl. An unprinted cloth, dampened with naphtha or turpentine may be used. Use care to prevent contact with parts of the upholstery that are not vinyl.

Sulfide Stains

Sulfide compounds, such as those found in eggs and some canned goods, can stain after prolonged contact with vinyl. These stains can be removed by placing a clean, unprinted piece of cloth over the spotted area and pouring a liberal amount of 6 percent hydrogen peroxide onto the cloth. Allow the saturated cloth to remain on the spot for 30 to 60 minutes. For stubborn spots, allow the hydrogen-peroxide saturated cloth to remain on the area overnight. Use caution to prevent the solution from seeping into the seams, or it will weaken the cotton thread.

Nail Polish and Nail Polish Remover

Prolonged contact with these substances causes permanent damage to vinyl. Careful blotting immediately after contact minimizes damage. Do not spread the liquid during removal.

Shoe Polish

Most shoe polishes contain dyes which penetrate vinyl and stain it permanently. Shoe polish should be wiped off as quickly as possible using naphtha or lighter fluid. If staining occurs, try the procedure used for sulfide stains.

Ball Point Ink

Ball point ink can sometimes be removed if rubbed immediately with a damp cloth, using water or rubbing alcohol. If this does not work, try the procedure used for sulfide stains.

Miscellaneous

If stains do not respond to any of the treatments described above, it is sometimes helpful to expose the vinyl to direct sunlight for up to 30 hours. Mustard, ball point ink, certain shoe polishes, and dyes often bleach out in direct sunlight, leaving the vinyl undamaged.