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.

 

Back when I was into air cooled VWs and Land Cruisers, when it came to fabric seats I'd just take them to a local carpet cleaning place and let them clean them when they had time. If the carpet needed cleaning and I wasn't replacing it I'd take it out if I could or just drop the vehicle off and let them do the seats too. Since I wasn't in a hurry and they could do it on their time in their shop (and he knew I recommended him to others) the owner always gave me very good prices. Their equipment was a lot more powerful and did a better job than the small homeowner steamer and Shopvac I owned (still have the vac, the steamer broke). He'd usually get the headliners too which get surprisingly nasty and trap a lot of stink, especially if the previous owner smoked. Best to do when it's hot and you can let the vehicle sit with the doors open or windows down to completely dry out.

Floor mats and seat covers help although taking Wet Okoles out to wash them is a PITA. This is going to sound funny, but the thing that's probably helped me the most was buying one of those inexpensive waterproof towel/terry cloth seat covers that just goes over the headrest. After working out, hiking, kayaking, whatever where I'm sweaty and/or dirty I just slip that thing over the Wet Okole- a seat cover for a seat cover. It's a lot easier to lift that thing off the headrest and toss it in the washing machine than to pull the Wet Okoles off and then reinstall them. Since getting it I only need to pull the Wet Okoles off about once a year now and the factory seats underneath look fine, not that I care about resale value since I have no plans to get rid of it. Added bonus is I just leave it draped over the back of the seat and it covers the trauma kit that's on the back of the seat on one of the headrest posts molle panels.

This is the one I got, currently unavailable, but there are a bunch essentially the same thing out there. Straight out of the box it needed a washing and to air out but if you're someone who gets sweaty/dirty often it's worth the $20.

Car Seat Covers Waterproof Front Seats Only,for Gym Workout,Running,Swimming,Beach and Hiking,Universal Fit for Most Cars Trucks Suvs Car Seat Protector Accessories (Grey)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZMLX44Z