Cleaning the seats - help!

[mr_merc]

My other half opened the front passenger door on our grey-interior'd 2005 Leon FR (Tdi) and snow fell on to the passenger seat. Randomly, it has left a stain on the seat and I am gutted because other than that, the car is mint.

To say I'm livid is an understatement but that doesn't help me, sadly.

I detail the exterior of cars, but interiors I tend to leave well alone, just don't know much about them and therefore don't trust myself.

I'm looking for a recommendation for an excellent interior valeter / seat cleaning service please. I say recommendation because whilst I could go and employ anyone from the Yellow Pages, cleaning seats worries me as if they get it wrong, the effects don't just 'polish out'!

I await your recommendations!

Thanks

James.

 

[BRUN]

where are you based, i can recommend Tony @ Cherished Car Care in St Helens if thats anywhere close to you, he did mine last week

 

[Jonny1*2]

Have you tried a bit of diluted down APC? What material are your seats? If they are suede like material it will leave a water mark, which could be what you have. wet vax would probably be the best. shouldn't cost you much, about 25quid to get it valeted.

 

[iimushroomzii]

I used upholstery cleaner on my seats, cleaned all the stains out a treat.

 

[mr_merc]

where are you based, i can recommend Tony @ Cherished Car Care in St Helens if thats anywhere close to you, he did mine last week

I'm in Milton Keynes, so probably too far

This is one of the first cars I've owned (and I mean paid for in cash out of my own pocket) where it's been mint and I've wanted nothing more doing to it, so I daren't risk pissing about with AG upholstery cleaner and so on, would rather go to a specialist, even if it means a few ££.

 

[BRUN]

ive used AG interior shampoo, the spray version not the aerosol, quite a few times on my vRS seats (white/cream!) and its been spot on, removed all marks and general grub and not left any marks of its own

 

[Jay]

As above Auto Glym Interior Cleaner (spray)

 

[Jonny1*2]

best thing to do is go to www.detailingworld.co.uk and see if there is anyone there that can help. There are sections on the forum for detailers and where they are based.

 

[Tigger]

Warm soapy water & soft sponge, then hoover.
Spray with AutoGlym Interior Spray and wipe it over with a MF towel - mint

 

[Rich]

Getting it dry at this time of year is the trick/hassle, wet and dry vac is a must.

 

[MarcC]

I Wet and dry Vax'd my Alcantara with Autosmart Bio Brisk, after my GF had the good sense to put shopping bags on the back seats with milk in, which obviously was going to leak.

now all is well. I used distilled water to help prevent tide lines.

 

[Tigger]

Are those Combi-Vac's any good?

 

[Rudi]

I detail the exterior of cars, but interiors I tend to leave well alone, just don't know much about them and therefore don't trust myself.

cleaning seats worries me as if they get it wrong, the effects don't just 'polish out'!quote]


There seats, not people, get some autoglym interior shampoo and man the f*ck up

 

[MarcC]

My Vax is great, you should see how car matts come up after being rinsed through with 9 litres of water lol.

 

[mr_merc]

vax and then this I reckon:

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/interior/chemical-guys-fabric-clean/prod_342.html

Am I okay to use Vax's own stuff?

Thank you for all your suggestions, Vax is the best one I reckon.

 

[mr_merc]

Took the plunge, hope it's cool:

Order Inventory:
Product: Chemical Guys - Fabric Clean
Quantity: 1
Product Code: CHEC10
Price: £5.17

Product: Chemical Guys - Bodywash and Wax
Quantity: 1
Product Code: CHEZ22
Price: £5.17

Product: Valet Pro - Bilberry Wheel Cleaner (1 litre)
Quantity: 1
Product Code: VALB7
Price: £7.78

Product: Chemical Resistant Sprayer
Quantity: 1
Product Code: CHE26
Price: £1.70

 

[MarcC]

Bilberry is very good wheel cleaner, imo. Can't comment on the other products, as i haven't tried them.

 

[Tigger]

Ok folks, which Vax is best?
Need a new hoover for the house anyway so an excuse to get something to aid cleaning the interior

 

[Tigger]

^^

 

[MarcC]

You need to make sure the VAX you buy has the upholstery tool which i think is only available with the pet models, but i'm no expert.

People on DW seem to rate graded electricals on ebay selling 'seconds' do a serach over there there's loads of info.

This is the one i bought
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vax-Pets-and-...296|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318#ebayphotohosting


This is the key tool you need imo:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAX-UPHOLSTER...14&_trkparms=72:1301|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

Go with that tool and any VAX it fits^^ adn you're sorted, also i've got 4 litres of fresh water capacity and still forever changing it so i'd also go for something with at least that.

Hth
Marc

 

[MarcC]

Vax V-020 is a popular model and would fit that tool according to the seller.

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_nkwZVaxQ20VQ2d020QQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ

I have no idea what they're like for dry vac'ing as i only use it for washing.

 

[Tigger]

If you say yours does a great job then that's music to my ears

How do you dry your seats then? lol

 

[MarcC]

just kill the water and go over it several times and let the VAX suck the water back out, then leave the seat in the house for 48 hours to thoroughly dry out. I've never done my front seats. just the matts rear bench and carpet.

When i did the carpets i just ran the car with foot heat on full power for a couple of days but tbh the vax gets loads of the water out and just leaves the carpet damp.

the V020 is the newer model.