Let’s face it - life happens, and sometimes it happens right on our car seats and carpets. Whoops. From coffee mishaps to unexpected ketchup explosions, our car interiors bear the battle scars of our daily adventures. But fear not because we’re diving into how to remove stubborn stains from car seats and carpets. 

Before we talk about how to remove those stubborn stains from your interior, let’s meet the culprits. Car interiors are like war zones for stains, with each stain type having unique characteristics. Coffee spills, soda splatters, muddy paw prints - the list goes on. But, don’t you worry, I’ve got your back and will unveil the secrets of conquering these common adversaries. 

The Stain Lineup: Know Your Enemy 

Coffee Catastrophes

So, you’re cruising down the highway, coffee in hand, when suddenly, a pothole turns your cup into a caffeine volcano. Coffee stains on your car seats? Been there, spilled that. The tannins in coffee can leave behind brown stains that if ignored, can turn into a permanent reminder of your morning chaos. Also, the acidity in coffee can damage fabric and leather over time, causing you more clean up down the road. 

Soda (or Pop) Spills

Mmm, soda; joy in a can - until it decides to blow up all over your car’s interior. The sugars and artificial colors in sodas can be a powerful combo for staining. If left untreated, they can penetrate fabrics and become a sticky mess. The carbonation in sodas might also leave a residue that attracts dirt, creating a not-so-appetizing cocktail of grime.

Mud Mayhem 

Off-road enthusiasts, what’s up?! Mud, especially if it contains abrasive particles, can scratch and damage the surfaces of your car’s interior. The combination of water and dirt can turn into a gritty, abrasive mixture that acts like sandpaper on your upholstery. Now, I know that many of you off-roaders have a particular vehicle you use when going on your adventure, so you may not care too much about the cleanliness of the interior. However, you will want to tackle the mess before it gets out of control. 

Ketchup: Fast Food Fiascos

Who doesn't love a side of fries with ketchup? But when that ketchup takes a nosedive onto your car seat, things get messy. The high acidity and vibrant red color in ketchup can spell trouble for your car's interior. If left unchecked, it can seep into the fabric and leave an unsightly stain.

Cigarette Butt Blues

Cigarette butts can do more than just stink up your car. The chemicals in tobacco can leave a lingering odor and, if you're not careful, burn holes in your upholstery.

Now that I’ve mentioned some of your car interior’s worst enemies, it’s time to talk about how to get rid of them and keep your interior looking/smelling good. 

Steps to Remove Those Stubborn Stains

Depending on how deeply embedded the stains in your car seats and carpet are will determine the types of products and processes you’ll need to take. The best example I can give you of a disastrous interior was the 600,000-mile Lexus LS my team and I did. We ripped out the entire interior down to the metal. This was easily the most challenging detailing job I’ve done in my professional career. 

I mentioned that experience because it was the most extreme one. So, whatever the condition of your car’s interior is, I have some tips I’d like to share with you to get it looking fresh and smelling clean.

P&S 3-STEP CARPET CLEANING KIT

I swear by P&S’s 3-Step Carpet Cleaning Kit. If you’re looking for a system that will remove seat and carpet stains from your car, this is the one. I mentioned the Lexus I did and this was the system I used to get all the interior pieces back to showroom clean status. 

What’s so great about this stuff you ask? I’ll tell you.

• Efficiency: It's not just about removing stains; it's about doing it effectively and efficiently. This carpet cleaning kit is designed to tackle a range of stains without spending countless hours doing it.
• Versatility: It's not just for seats! This kit works its magic on carpets too, ensuring a thorough cleaning of your car's interior.
• Gentle Yet Effective: Unlike some harsh cleaners that can damage upholstery, P&S strikes the perfect balance. It's tough on stains but kind to your car's interior materials.
• Scent-sational: It doesn't just clean; it leaves behind a fresh, clean scent that'll make you want to take a deep breath of satisfaction every time you step into your car. The carpet bomber is responsible for getting the funk out. It’s comprised of citrus derivatives, biodegradable cleaners, and water-based solvents that dissolve the grease and lift the dirt from the carpet and leather. Carpet Bomber rinses away foreign particles and stains that most cleaners leave behind. It provides a safe, natural solution to vehicle heavy-duty cleaning and degreasing.

All in all, this is some pretty serious stuff.

Steps to A Cleaner Interior

1. Terminator (doing my best Arnold Schwarzenegger impressions when I say that): This product is designed to loosen things up a bit. It’s a uniquely formulated product that’s a blend of dry and wet cleaning chemicals and degreasers that quickly remove spots and stains. Terminator cuts grease, oil, dirt, and food-related stains. Use Terminator to pre-treat spots and stains on the carpet and upholstery before shampooing.
   
   
2. Carpet Bomber: You’ll want to immediately spray this right over the Terminator and let it sit for a few minutes to saturate into the carpet. You can then use a soft-bristled scrub (white) brush to agitate the carpet or a yellow (hard-bristled) brush if you have longer piles. If you still have some leftover dirt/stain, you can spray a few spritzes of the carpet bomber and go over the surface again.
   
   
3. Finisher Peroxide Treatment: This is the neutralizer that’s going to help brighten the upholstery. The Finisher completes the system by adding a final attack on odor-causing molecules and organic stains. The finisher breaks down odor-causing chemicals, eliminates any residual organic stains, and slightly sterilizes the surface. Finisher assists in reducing water stains, mold, and mildew odors as well as finalized stain removal. Finisher breaks down into oxygen and water, leaving no chemical residue that requires further removal. In this step, you can use either a microfiber towel, an extractor, or a steamer - this will depend solely on the level of enhancement you want to achieve.

I promise you this entire process may seem like a lot of work, but ultimately, it’s really simple. Sure, it'll take a bit of elbow grease, but trust me, it's worth it. It’s fun taking something that looks like complete crap and making it look amazing. There’s something about riding around in a freshly clean interior; I can’t explain it, but for those of you who know, you know.