How to Clean Cloth Interior Seats

Park your vehicle in a cool, shady spot while cleaning. Working in direct sunlight could bake the cleaner into the fabric.

Remove, by hand, all debris lying on the seats or stuck in the creases. Items to look for are gum wrappers, loose change, children's toys, store receipts and fast food wrappers.

Vacuum the seats thoroughly using the upholstery attachment. To get into the creases and crevices, use the crevice attachment. This is the long slender vacuum tool.

Read and understand the directions for using the upholstery cleaner. Apply the cleaner to a small area. You want to work one area at a time, removing the dirt before moving on. Avoid applying too much cleaner. Some materials may not look wet when sprayed.

Work the cleaner into the fabric with a clean cotton terrycloth towel. Use vigorous strokes, keeping in mind that too much force could damage the material. As you work and the towel becomes dirty, turn it often to keep a clean side toward the fabric.

Apply a little more cleaner if the material still appears dirty or if there are stubborn stains. Be careful not to soak the material too much. Keep several clean towels nearby to soak up any excess cleaner.

Allow the seats to dry, then vacuum a second time.

Examine the seats. If a second application is necessary, repeat the process; but instead of using a towel, use a soft-bristled brush.

Finish the cleaning process by applying 3M Scotchgard according to the instructions. This helps protect the fabric from future staining due to accidental coffee spills or ketchup mishaps, and keeps it looking newer longer.