How to clean car seats with baking soda remains the most affordable method for car owners. You won’t keep your car interior from getting messy as a family person.
Spills happen, especially when you have kids. Pet’s hair on the seat, crisps, and bread crusts remains and all other mess. In another case, it’s never strange for people to vomit or pee in the car.
Owning a car has various responsibilities. One is digging into your pockets after every weekend out for cleaning services.
Thankfully, this article will loop you in on how to clean car seat fabric yourself with baking soda.
Why is Baking Soda Regarded as the Best Car Seat Cleaner?
Baking soda is a super absorbent that will quickly subside car seat bad odor. It’s a natural and non-toxic car interior cleaning method.
Additionally, it’s is very flexible. You can mix it with various ingredients to deodorize and leave the car interior spot on.
That aside, it’s the most available household product. Many car owners will never lack it at home.
How to Clean Car Seats with Baking Soda
If your car interior has leather material, you may require some special leather cleaner. Leather is more sensitive than cloth materials.
Baking soda does wonders on cloth car seats like fabric. As such, I’ll walk you through how to clean fabric car seats with baking soda.
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Ingredients
- Synthetic gloves
They protect your hands from reactive ingredients. Second, it protects your skin from acidic urine or vomits on the car seat.
- Spray bottle
The spray bottle will hold the mixture as you spray on the affected areas. Using the other hand, you’ll scrub the stains.
- Warm water
It easily dissolves the baking soda and penetrates the fabric with ease.
- Baking soda
It absorbs moisture quickly. It also dissolves dirt and stains from the fabric.
- Vinegar
It acts as a disinfectant because of its acidity level. It will remove the mold and kill bacteria in the seats.
- Dishwashing soap
Dishwashing soap is an effective stain remover. It strengthens the mixture.
- Bowl and spatula
A bowl is spacious enough to stir the mixture with a spatula. The reactions may create a lot of foam.
- Microfiber towel
A microfiber towel effectively removes the excessive moisture after scrubbing.
- Vacuum cleaner
It best removes tiny dust particles and pet hair from the seats.
- Fabric Scrub Brush
It’s a soft brush for scrubbing stubborn stains. The brush is soft enough to protect the fabric color from fading.
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The Procedure
For better results, it’s wise to clean the car seats on a sunny day. If your car has a bad odor from pee or vomit, clean when you aren’t in a hurry to use the car.
Baking soda requires enough time to absorb the moisture from the fabric.
Step 1: Park the Car Outside and Clear the Trash
Park your car in an open area for air circulation. Open the doors and windows and clear all the trash inside.
Remove the plastic bottles, bread crusts, and food remains that may choke the vacuum. Then, take out the tools and other items for easy vacuuming.
Step 2: Sprinkle the Baking Soda on the Seats
Why put baking soda on car seats? Baking soda is an absorbent. If your seats have vomit and urine moisture, it will dry and subside the smell.
Leave your car for around 6 to 12 hours before vacuuming. Note you shouldn’t be on the go. The best time to clean is during the weekends or off days.
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Step 3: Vacuum the Interior
Vacuum the interior to remove the dried baking soda and the remaining dust. Pet’s hair may stick on the fabric too.
Ideally, you can use a battery-powered vacuum cleaner since you may lack electrical outlets in the home compound.
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Step 4: Prepare the Mixture
Pour a quarter cup of baking soda into the mixing bowl. Add a few drops of dish-washing soap and some hot water.
Slowly stir the mixture as you pour in the water. Baking soda to hot water should be a quarter cup for a full cup, respectively.
Once the mixture starts getting foamy, add some vinegar and continue stirring until it’s well mixed.
Step 5: Use a Fabric Scrub Brush to Scrub the Stains
Pour the mixture into the spray bottle and spray on the stained areas. Scrub using a fabric brush until the fabric regains its color.
Some stains may be stubborn. Spray the mixture and leave it for around 30 minutes for the stains to weaken. Try to scrub again until the seats look neat.
Be keen enough while scrubbing. Applying extreme pressure can fade the fabric color.
Step 6: Dry the Seats Using Microfiber Towel
Lay the microfiber towel on the seats to remove excessive moisture. Press the towel using your hands until the seats become less moist.
Leave the car doors and windows open for at least an hour for the seats to dry. If it’s not sunny enough, use a dehumidifier and a fan.
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FAQs on Cleaning Car Seats
Why Do Dealerships Put Baking Soda on Car Seats?
First, baking soda is super absorbent. It quickly removes the moisture from the car interior. Second, its odor-busting properties subside foul smells from the upholstery.
Ideally, you can just use baking soda to freshen your interior while cleaning. More so, if you experience motion sickness by using car air fresheners.
How Long Can I Leave Baking Soda on Car Seat?
Baking soda can absorb moisture and subside bad odor from seats for as fast as 30 minutes. However, it’s recommendable to leave it for at least 24 hours for better results.
How Do You Get the Smell Out of Your Car with Baking Soda?
It’s simple; wet the upholstery and sprinkle the baking soda if the stains have dried. Give the baking soda some time to absorb the moisture.
Afterward, vacuum the baking soda, and your car interior will be fresh.
Is Vinegar Safe on Car Seats?
Vinegar may discolor your car seats because it’s acidic. If you’re using vinegar, create a mixture with other ingredients to dissolve it.
Embrace how to clean car seats with baking soda for better results. Luckily, most ingredients used with baking soda are affordable.