Steam cleaning seats?

[roadrunner 45]

Hello,

Has anyone used a steam cleaner on the seats to remove grim from our used Cali that we have just purchased.
Is it safe to steam the fabric or would it leave water stains?
How about steam cleaning the carpet?
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Hotel California]

Thats why you need to buy seatcovers that matches the original fabric ( brandrup or others...) so you won't need to worry ....just take them of wash and back on in one day on a sunny day leave them dry outside , goes realy quick!

 

[roadrunner 45]

Thats why you need to buy seatcovers that matches the original fabric ( brandrup or others...) so you won't need to worry ....just take them of wash and back on in one day on a sunny day leave them dry outside , goes realy quick!

Yes I agree.
Unfortunately the previous owner (it is 2011 Cali) has not covered the seats and we wish to give them a good clean and then fit covers , if I can find some for reasonable price due to spending a lot on the Cali money is tight. Ideally second hand covers will do for now while save money to buy new nice ones.

 

[calikev]

I really would get a mobile valleter in to do it. Worth the expence otherwise
It will probably look worse

 

[Hotel California]

OK , if buying a second hand i would also give it a good clean first ....also the rest of the Cali needs a good close inspection ...so you don't find any suprises ..
Just look for the seatcovers you like and buy them if you feel like your up to , best to invest in a good product doh...
Have got it yet , couse your underwrithing still say " looking to buy"
Btw , nice nickname does the numbers stand for anything (....age.....)

 

[calikev]

I would go for the inka waterproof ones first while you are saving up
For the more luxurious set

 

[storma63]

On a previous vehicle I used a Bissel carpet cleaner with attatched hand tool. It cleaned brilliantly and left the seats almost dry..... Worked a treat

 

[Freeley]

Autoglym interior shampoo is popular on here and easy to use. It cleaned our seats a treat so perhaps try that first?

 

[WelshGas]

I think it would be worthwhile to have a Professional Valet company give the vehicle a good going over to start anew. Worth it in the long run.
They use stuff that the public cannot get hold of easily.

 

[Andresz]

Be careful with aggressive chemicals.
I remember my Toyota Picnic some years ago, I cleaned it perfectly with some dedicated seat cleaning spray, but a after a year or two the fabric became week and torn.

 

[WelshGas]

I think that was more the fabric used by Toyoto than the cleaning chemicals. Many extended reviews praise the mechanicals and slate the upholstery and fabric used by Toyoto.

 

[Edsr]

Autoglym interior shampoo is popular on here and easy to use. It cleaned our seats a treat so perhaps try that first?

I’ve just blitzed a 10 year old Cali back to as-new.
Use AG interior shampoo and buy a specialist car detailing brush with a round head. Work one panel of the seat at a time:

1. soak the dry surface with the shampoo spray
2. Agitate the spray using the brush in a circular action which should foam it up
3. If it doesn’t foam use more shampoo
4. Use a steam cleaner with a micro fibre towel around the head to wipe off the foam pushing hard with a back/forth scrubbing motion as it steams (if you don’t have one they are cheap compared to seat covers, but just wiping it off with a dry Microfibre towel works Ok)
4. Immediately vacuum the seat until it’s as dry as you can get it. Allow the remaining moisture to dry.

This method should get literally any stain out of the interior upholstery including the fitted carpets and original car mats.

 

[Edsr]

I’ve just blitzed a 10 year old Cali back to as-new.
Use AG interior shampoo and buy a specialist car detailing brush with a round head. Work one panel of the seat at a time:

1. soak the dry surface with the shampoo spray
2. Agitate the spray using the brush in a circular action which should foam it up
3. If it doesn’t foam use more shampoo
4. Use a steam cleaner with a micro fibre towel around the head to wipe off the foam pushing hard with a back/forth scrubbing motion as it steams (if you don’t have one they are cheap compared to seat covers, but just wiping it off with a dry Microfibre towel works Ok)
4. Immediately vacuum the seat until it’s as dry as you can get it. Allow the remaining moisture to dry.

This method should get literally any stain out of the interior upholstery including the fitted carpets and original car mats.

For carpets and mats replace the brush in step 2 with a clean scrubbing brush.

 

[Perfectos]

I’ve just blitzed a 10 year old Cali back to as-new.
Use AG interior shampoo and buy a specialist car detailing brush with a round head. Work one panel of the seat at a time:

1. soak the dry surface with the shampoo spray
2. Agitate the spray using the brush in a circular action which should foam it up
3. If it doesn’t foam use more shampoo
4. Use a steam cleaner with a micro fibre towel around the head to wipe off the foam pushing hard with a back/forth scrubbing motion as it steams (if you don’t have one they are cheap compared to seat covers, but just wiping it off with a dry Microfibre towel works Ok)
4. Immediately vacuum the seat until it’s as dry as you can get it. Allow the remaining moisture to dry.

This method should get literally any stain out of the interior upholstery including the fitted carpets and original car mats.

Good job

Before and after photo?

 

[Edsr]

Unfortunately not. But mud and sand in carpets, mud on drivers seat / arm rests, black marks on back of both front seats, a few misc marks on the upholstery and an inch of dog hair over everything. Had to use tweezers and a vac to get the do hair out - I got it Saturday before last and we go away on our first outing tomorrow. I’ve been on it every evening for several hours. Today’s mission was two new leisure batteries as it still had originals in and can’t get an electrical pitch for love nor money. Could take some ‘after’ shots when it’s light tomorrow but I’ve just fitted carpets too which has been a dramatic change to how it looks and feels. I found ecover kitchen spray, a scrubbing brush, and mopping-up afterwards with a wet rag was best for the rubber floor.


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[LRGS253]

I have used a steam cleaner on mine. You have to do the whole seat otherwise you leave watermarks. I used the normal Ariel washing liquid from the washing machine diluted, steamer head put in it with the microfibre cloth attachment on the end. Results were good, but took a day to dry.

 

[Edsr]

Good job

Before and after photo?

Some ‘after’ photos - the grey panels each side of the pattern on the drivers seat, and the arm rests were brown when I got it...
(

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[WelshGas]

Some ‘after’ photos - the grey panels each side of the pattern on the drivers seat, and the arm rests were brown when I got it...
(

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Well done.

 

[Perfectos]

That is a seriously great job you’ve done of cleaning the van,
obviously we didn’t see it before, but I looks like a new penny now.

I wonder if the previous owner would have got more for it if they showed it in the condition you have now? (their loss, your gain)

makes you think about about the additional expense of decent seat covers when a 2011 van comes up that good, stain repellant may be a cheaper option such as Scotch guard etc (Seats and carpet)

 

[GrahamB]

Some ‘after’ photos - the grey panels each side of the pattern on the drivers seat, and the arm rests were brown when I got it...
(

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Very impressive!

 

[sidepod]

Yes I’ve pulled the seats out and fired up the Karcher with Rug Doctor.
Very therapeutic but you do need a conservatory and sunshine to get them dry again.

 

[SusiBus]

Do people find DIY application of Scotchguard effective?