Whether you are a parent with a back seat full of hungry children or a busy executive with no time to stop between meetings, all too often the car becomes a de facto dining room. Although it may be convenient to eat in the car, spills are inevitable. You can diminish the value of your automobile by leaving the upholstery stains untreated, or you can invest a little time and energy to clean and refresh your car's interior.
Vacuum the interior of your car to remove dirt and debris. If your seats are upholstered in fabric, spray upholstery cleaner on the seats, then use a soft brush to scrub away any stains or marks. Allow the spray to dry, then vacuum again to remove any residual cleanser.
Use saddle soap or other gentle cleansers specially designed for leather if your automobile has leather upholstery. Start by vacuuming the dirt and debris, then apply the leather soap to a damp cloth. Clean the leather by applying light pressure to the damp cloth as you rub it across the upholstery. Rinse thoroughly by wiping with a clean, lightly dampened cloth. Take cotton swabs and run them across the seams to make sure that no dirt or residual soap is left in crevices.
Spray glass cleaner on the grease spot if it's still visible. Make sure the area is thoroughly soaked with glass cleaner, then wait five minutes. Take a clean, dry cloth and blot until the area is dry.
Use paint thinner on stubborn spots only after testing it on a hidden portion of the upholstery. If the paint thinner doesn't discolor the material, then dip a clean pure cotton cloth into paint thinner and rub the stain to clean it. Pour cornmeal onto the stain and allow to sit overnight. In the morning, vacuum thoroughly.
