This DIY Car Upholstery Cleaner Will Make Your Car’s Interior Look New

An Easy, Affordable Way To Clean Auto Upholstery

While it can be tricky to keep the floors in your home clean during the wet winter months, it’s nothing compared to how dirty you car’s floors can get! My floor mats are caked in a layer of dirt, debris, and road salt after a winter of non-stop snowstorms, and the upholstery isn’t much better.

Related: DIY Armor All: The Most Affordable Way To Enjoy A Sparkling Clean Car

But thankfully, the weather has been warming up over the past couple of weeks, and I’ve been thinking that it’s high time I give the interior of my car some much needed TLC! So today I’ll be sharing an easy recipe for a great DIY car upholstery cleaner, just in case your car could use a good cleaning as well. :-)

Why Make A DIY Car Upholstery Cleaner?

There are a couple of reasons why it’s worth going the DIY route to clean the interior of your car. The first reason is that it’s surprisingly easy! You only need a few simple ingredients to make this cleaner, and it doesn’t actually take that long to use it. In just an hour or two, this cleaner will leave your car looking as clean as the day you drove it off the lot at the dealer.

Another thing I love about this cleaning solution is that it’s really affordable! The ingredients are very inexpensive, not to mention that you’ll save a small fortune by doing the actual cleaning yourself. (Have you ever paid to have your car’s interior detailed? It’s definitely not cheap!)

Thus, using this DIY car seat cleaner and floor mat cleaner is the best way to clean auto upholstery and freshen your car’s interior without emptying your wallet in the process. Here’s how to do it:

How To Make A DIY Car Upholstery Cleaner

You’ll need:

• 3 Tbsp grated Fels Naptha soap
• 2 Tbsp borax
• 2-4 cups boiling water*
• 10 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• Bucket
• Sponge or scrub brush
• Clean, damp cloths

*Note: If your car’s interior is really dirty or stained, use less water for a more concentrated cleaning formula. Otherwise, I’d recommend using closer to 4 cups of water for a less concentrated, easy-rinse formula.

Directions:

Step 1 – Make The Cleaner

Add the soap, borax, water, and lavender oil (if using) to your bucket, then stir until the soap dissolves and the mixture is foamy.

Step 2 – Scrub

To clean cloth seats, dip a sponge into the cleaner and dab stains and soiled areas. (If you made a more concentrated cleaner, use it sparingly to make it easier to rinse later.)

To clean carpeting or floor mats, follow the same steps above but use a scrub brush instead of a sponge. Carpeting is more resilient than cloth seats are, so don’t be afraid to give them a good scrub.

Step 3 – Rinse

To rinse cloth seats, use a clean, damp cloth to blot the loosened dirt and cleaner out of the seats. I find it helpful to keep a bowl of clean water nearby while I do this so I can rinse out my damp cloth as I go. (If your upholstery is really dirty, don’t be surprised if you have to replace the dirty rinse water a few times!)

To rinse removable floor mats, it’s quicker and easier to just spray them down with your garden hose. Spray them until the dirt and soap are all rinsed away, then use a few dry towels to soak up any excess water.

Step 3 – Dry

Once you’ve rinsed out all the dirt and cleaner from your seats and/or carpets, you’re done! Find a sunny spot to let everything dry for a few hours, and reward yourself for a job well done.

Related: 17 Of The Best Cleaning Hacks For Your Car

Note: This DIY cleaner uses basic cleaning supplies you may already have, but if you’re looking for an option that requires a little less elbow grease, you may want to consider investing in a machine like the Bissell Little Green Cleaner. It’s just as effective as an upholstery cleaner machine for cars as it is for cleaning carpets and upholstery in your home.

Now, who’s up for a road trip? ;-)

What’s your best tip for keeping the interior of your car clean?