Upholstery cleaning best method

2013 with cloth seats.Nit badly stained but never had a “deep” cleaning.Looking at different YouTube vids and trying to get an idea for a home owner what would be the best system for cleaning seats.I don’t mind spending for one of the steam extractors.So solution and extractors?Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Steam is a game changer, not just for cars but honestly getting stuff in the house spanking clean. If you have tile in the bathroom or kitchen, a steam machine will absolutely blow you away.

I have a non-extracting steam unit and use a separate wet vacuum to follow it -

$192 McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner, 2-Hour Runtime, Chemical-Free, 23 Accessories: Mop Head, Brushes & More - Built for Home, Tile, Carpet, Furniture, & Personal Car Detailing

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G00BTEA - I seriously love this unit. Just be sure to feed it distilled water, descaling is kind of a pain in the ass with this particular one.

For upholstery, steam it, follow with a stiff detail brush and soapy water (plain dish soap), then suck it out with a shop vac.

The steam machine will also nuke brake dust, crud on floor liners, ground in filth on interior vinyl, and pull odors out of the headliner.

 

I detail cars in my area so this is like me specialty or something
I use this carpet cleaner, it has worked the best for me on our cloth seats. Smells like jolly ranchers too ( mmmmm, carpet cleaner….)

$29 P & S PROFESSIONAL DETAIL PRODUCTS Carpet Bomber – Professional Upholstery Cleaner, Citrus-Based Formula, Removes Grease, Dirt & Odors, Highly Dilutable, Safe for Engines & Wheel Wells - 1 Gallon

https://www.amazon.com/PROFESSIONAL-DETAIL-PRODUCTS-Carpet-Bomber/dp/B0779L7MVR
Just spray it on, agitate then use an extractor like this to steam it and suck up the cleaner and steam.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/BISSELL-Little-Green-HydroSteam-Portable-Deep-Cleaner/5014342647
the first time I did it on my truck this is what came out. And this is after it was already visually clean.

Of course this method doesn’t allow you to have the full versatility of a true steamer like a McCulloch which is super handy for cleaning hard grime and brake dust in the garage or bathrooms.

 

Honestly I just use turtle wax interior cleaner and travel to my nearest free car wash vacuums and spray it on the seats then use a microfiber to wipe away the dirt and dry it with the vacuums.