Off with those spots and stains!

If you're a cleanliness freak, this article probably won't be of any use to you. But sometimes, despite your best intentions, accidental spills and stains will happen in your car. Don't panic, though- you can do something about those "damned spots", unlike Lady Macbeth!

Wipe it out

As soon as you can, remove as much of a liquid spill as possible by blotting, not wiping, with paper towels or clean rags. Press the cloth down into the spill until all liquid is absorbed.

Leather seats are much easier to clean than fabric upholstery. After tackling a spill, follow up with a leather cleaner for a more thorough cleaning job as well as leather conditioner.

For fabric upholstery, your first line of defence should be prevention, by treating the car seats with a stain-repellent product.

General spills and stains

Dab the stain with a mild solution of soap or upholstery cleaner and water solution and scrub gently in a circular motion. Allow the foam to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then wipe away. Rinse well with  a clean and damp cloth without over-saturating the upholstery. If that doesn't work, use a foam fabric or upholstery cleaner.

Crayons

Scrape off what you can of the crayon mark with a spatula or metal spoon. Next, spray the stained area with an upholstery cleaner or WD-40 and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub gently with a stiff brush, then wipe away with paper towels. Re-spray with the cleaning agent and apply dishwashing liquid on the area. scrub the stain again gently, then wipe off with  a damp sponge.

Ink

Blot immediately with a clean rag or paper towel to remove excess ink. Never rub or scrub ink stains. spray a small amount of hairspray or rubbing alcohol on the stain and let it sit a few minutes. Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the area. If you are worried about the hairspray or rubbing alcohol damaging your upholstery, test it on a less conspicuous part of the seat first.

Coloured drinks/coffee

You can make your own "home remedy" by mixing one litre of water, a tablespoon of white vinegar and half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, and applying it to the stain with a sponge or towel. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Wipe away with warm water.

Source: The Straits Times Saturday, October 30 2010