How To Clean A Car Seat Cover

If you have a car seat cover, then you know what a beating it can take. Your car seat cover protects your seats from kids, pets and food. But if it is not cleaned properly, then it can actually do more damage than good. Car seat covers that are not cleaned of dirt and debris can start to make the car have an unpleasant odor after a while. Also, scratches may go unnoticed, so food and drinks can spill and leak through the cover and onto your seats. Keeping your car seat covers clean will keep your car looking newer longer. Below are instructions on how to clean your car seat covers.

• It's best to remove the cover from the car completely. Leaving it strapped on the seats and trying to clean it will not do a thorough job, and you won't be able to get into all the corners and crevices of the seats. If you want to just do a quick light once-over, then you can keep the covers on the seats and just wipe them with Windex or water and a towel. But if there is some real grime on there, then you'll have to take them off.


• Read the owner's manual. Check to see if it can be tunnel car washing machine machine washed - just about all seat covers can be put into the washing machine on gentle cycle. If it says do not machine wash, then you'll have to wash it by hand. Fill up a large sink or bathtub with water and a good stain remover detergent and hand wash the it in the sink. Let it sit in the sink for about 10 minutes before taking it out and hanging it up to air dry.


• If it's OK to put the cover in the machine - which is the case with all covers I've seen - then it is best to soak them before putting them in the washing machine. Spray a gentle stain remover on it for about one hour. Afterward, put it in the washing machine on the cold cycle with a gentle detergent. Never use a detergent with bleach. Even if it is a "color safe bleach" detergent, it is best to just use a regular detergent. Car seat covers are delicate and any bleach may cause it to rip or tear.


• To dry it, never put it in the dryer. This will cause the covers to shrink, and you won't be able to fit them on your seats anymore. If you have a clothesline, this is the best way to dry them. You can also lay them flat on top of your washing machine or dryer.