I recently cleaned an oil stain out of my passenger seat with some foaming spray cleaner and one of those cordless drill brush attachments. Worked great, spot was gone within seconds. I figured while I’m at it I want to clean the rest of the seat with it to see how good it is. I noticed a few small brownish spots that I’d like to make grey again.
The cleaner and brush combo loosened it right up until I realized I needed a way to pull the soil from the fabric rather than smear it around.
I used rags then realized I’d be there all night because no matter how much I’d blot or wipe it kept coming up. An extractor looks like the tool for the job.
Didn’t want to spend a lot of money so I got a cheap shop vac and one of those extractor attachments. It actually works… too good. I keep bringing up deeper and deeper stains from the cushion to the surface of the fabric. Now almost the entire seat cushion has a light dirty brown tint to it. Do I just reduce the wetness to try and prevent wicking through the seat or is there something I’m not getting?
TL;DR Cleaning my car seat caused deep hidden unending stains to wick to the surface. What can I do?
I figured the foam would be pretty bad under the surface. If taking it easy with the moisture doesn’t help I’ll probably just put seat covers on. It’s an old car with many years of family use, who knows what it is lol.
My next attempt will be very light cleaner application and light pressure with the brush followed by leaving the windows down all night.
I dunno but I always just use the foam but usually follow up with the shop vac. Now on carpet I use folex (from Lowe’s) the best spot cleaner I’ve found. Never used it on upholstery but might be worth a try. Stains just disappear. Only use it on the light carpet in the house though. In the cars I just mix up some steam cleaner solution an use a brush followed by shop vac, so simulated steam cleaning. More than you wanted to hear but thought I’d better clarify.
You can go to YouTube under old school upholstery to see how it is done. Great guy, lots of topics. Most of it beyond me. No one ever shows though how to remove the molded back on the seat.
Check the directions on your cleaner carefully. Usually on spot cleaners you’re not supposed to soak the material you’re cleaning, you just foam the top of the stain and vacuum it off after light brushing.