Vinyl and leather automotive upholstery are easier to clean, however if your vehicle has fabric upholstery, the job involves a little more work – but it can be done. At CarMark Hawaii, we’re familiar with the steps involved to clean all types of upholstery because we buy used cars for cash, which means a bit of cleaning is often necessary.

Basically, fabric upholstery can be cleaned by shampooing, or using a spray-on product that wipes off. Of course a spray-on product is easier, however if the upholstery is extremely soiled you will need to shampoo the upholstery. This involves using water to rinse, so be sure to have a large supply of clean towels on hand, an extractor, or a wet-dry vacuum.

Before you shampoo the upholstery, vacuum it thoroughly to remove loose dust, dirt, crumbs, etc. Next, use a good quality spot remover to spray areas that are heavily soiled, and allow it to penetrate for a few minutes.

In the meantime, fill a bucket with warm water – about two gallons should do it. Spray your upholstery cleaner lightly on an area about two square feet, then use either a sponge or upholstery brush to gently scrub the upholstery in a circular motion. Dip the brush in water occasionally to keep it damp, but try not to apply too much water to the upholstery. Use a detailing towel or sponge to wipe away excess soap suds.

Once you have cleaned all sections of the upholstery, refill your bucket with clean warm water, being sure it is rinsed of all suds. Now you can use a damp sponge or terry cloth towel to rinse the upholstery using the clean water, rinsing the towel/sponge often and wringing it out before beginning on the next section. Once you have rinsed all upholstery with clean water, use the wet-dry vacuum or clean, dry towels to remove as much remaining water as possible.

You will want to let the upholstery dry for about 8 to 10 hours before using your vehicle; if possible, leave windows cracked to speed the drying process.

Shampooing is a lot of work, but it’s worth it to keep the upholstery in your vehicle looking new and smelling fresh.

Ready to sell your used car for cash? If you have a 2007 or newer model with less than 100,000 miles, give us a call at CarMark Hawaii today. We buy used cars in Honolulu, and have been in the business for more than a quarter of a century! You can trust our team for the best deal, and fast, friendly service.