Home Improvement and Gardening

Steam cleaning is an effective stain removal and car upholstery cleaning method. While regular car upholstery cleaners are good, they are not as powerful as machine steamcleaning. Using steam allows the machine to penetrate more deeply to remove dirt and stains. If you do not own a steam cleaner, you can rent one for a daily rate at home repair supply shops.

Before you can proceed to steam clean your upholstery, you will need to thoroughly vacuum it. Begin this step by using one of your vacuum cleaner’s furniture attachments to purge any caked-on dust deposits. When performing this step, take your time. The more dust you can vacuum up, the easier it will be to steam clean your upholstery.

After your upholstery has been vacuumed, spray it down with a commercial furniture cleaner, taking care to pay special attention to any stained areas. Next, allow your cleaning solution to sit for several minutes before proceeding to wipe down your furniture with the aid of a washcloth. Make sure your furniture has had ample time to dry before carrying out the steam cleaning process.

Things You’ll Need:
Vacuum with hose attachment
Steam cleaner with triangular nozzle attachment
Towel

Instructions:

1
Remove all items from your car, all items that could mess up the upholstery processes. This includes any trash, food mess, papers or any other items on your carâ”s upholstery. Remove any floor mats or seat covers. Seat covers generally do not need steam cleaning and can be machine washed.

2
Vacuum any dirt and debris from your carâ”s upholstery, using the vacuum’s hose attachment so after all have been vacuum, it will be clean and ready for the next step. Use an angled nozzle to penetrate in between the folds of your car seats, on the flooring, on the headliner and around hard-to-reach areas such as between the seats and car door.

3
Test your steam cleaner on a hidden or rarely seen area of your car, such as in the trunk or behind the back seat. While most steam cleaners are appropriate for most upholstery fabrics, the heat of the machine may damage delicate materials. Test before using.

4
Set your steam cleaner to low or medium power. Use the triangle brush on the hose attachment to run the steam cleaner across your carâ”s upholstery. Start from one side of the seat and move vertically, taking care to cover all upholstery evenly and thoroughly.

5
Dampen a towel with warm water. As you steam clean an area of the carâ”s upholstery, use the towel to mop up the dirt. Rinse the towel periodically to avoid spreading the dirt along your fabric. Allow your car to air dry or use a hairdryer to prevent buildup of mold or mildew.

For more information please go to

http://www.upholsterycleaning.co.nz/upholstery-cleaning-methods
http://www.aucklandcarpetcleaning.org.nz/upholstery-cleaning.htm