How to Get Water Stains Out of Those Car Seats

Simple advice straight from the pros for how to clean water stains off the car seat and upholstery.

It's never the same: The one time you forget to put your windows open for the night, and it starts to rain. You may even forget that the rear windows are open to the fullest when you go across the wash. Although you're using "just water," your seat, whether cloth or leather, appears like someone attempted to paint watercolor on the upholstery.

The good news is that it's possible to get it cleaned using a few ingredients and a bit of patience. Here's how you can get water stains off of car seats, as per the experts.

Move Quickly

Like all stains, the quicker you respond, the more successful you'll be. The longer the stain sits on the furniture and set, they'll get worse and get more difficult to remove.

Before you get rid of the stain, make sure that you don't accidentally cause more damage. Remember: Blot, don't rub. When you rub with your hands, you run the risk of pushing the stain further into the fibers, which makes it more difficult to wash away.

Vacuum Up Debris

Experts agree that you should begin by cleaning the automobile seat completely. This will take out all dirt and dust particles and will make wiping the area easier in the next stages of washing.

Sometimes, these particles or dirt may make the stain more difficult to remove once they've become wet, which is why it's safer to take your time and eliminate them prior to you begin the process of deep cleaning.

Evaluate Your Cleaners

We suggest beginning using the least abrasive products first before taking out the more powerful ones in the event that the stain becomes hard to get rid of. For any stain, the experts suggest staying clear of aggressive solvents like alcohol, kerosene, and acetone cleaning products.

Pre-Treat Darker Stains

An effective first step, particularly for darker stains, is to gently rub about a teaspoon of white vinegar on the stain using a clean microfiber cloth. It should be left for approximately five minutes prior to blotting it out before moving onto shampoo.

Other people suggest mixing the equivalent of one gallon of water, one cup of vinegar, and one teaspoon of dish soap to clean your car seats. Note that both these methods are intended for upholstery made of fabric and not leather.

Shampoo the Upholstery

The answer to any error that you make with leather automobile seats will always be a Lexol line. We've tried a variety of products for cleaning and conditioning leather, but Lexol is our absolute favorite by an inch. It's quick and simple, and it can correct a world of wrongs.

Spray and clean using the cleaner using an emery cloth, which will get rid of dirt and watermarks. Wipe off any excess, let it dry, and then apply the conditioner. Apply the conditioner and let it sit for a few minutes as a hair conditioner, then clean it up using your microfiber towel.

For upholstery use, Woolite Upholstery & Carpet Foam. It's a foam-based cleaner that helps you make use of less product and to avoid pushing a ton of soap down into the cushion of your seat. Then, you can use Woolite to be safe to color and not damage the fabric. Blot using a microfiber cloth for finishing.

If the material appears sturdy, employing an upholstery tool to clean any staining that is stubborn from the crevices is okay. But be careful not to overdo it.

Prep and Protect

Once you've removed the stain, remember to make sure you are prepared and protected to ensure that this doesn't happen again.

Similar to cleaners, there are many sprays to protect the fabric and waterproof it if available. Be sure to ensure whether it's suitable for the fabric inside your vehicle. Be sure to try the product on a small area first to make sure it's compatible with your leather upholstery. Make sure to maintain the leather.