Cleaning/Shampooing Cloth Interior?

McDonald · 07-18-2008, 10:47 PM

What is the best cleaner/method to do a mini-shampoo or thorough wipe down of the seats (cloth interior, not leather)? I found one thread that mentioned Simple Green (I like this idea) and ArmorAll (found their products to generally be sticky in the Prius), some people swear by 303, any others I should check out?

And do I have to rinse after I scrub? Is this generally true for all cleaners? How wet can I get the material?

Anything to NOT use? (Bleach obviously)

Thanks!

kazots · 07-18-2008, 11:31 PM

Cover your seats!

rigormortis · 07-19-2008, 05:37 AM

i guess i beat everyone on the reply. the seats are some weird italian fabric
and the manufacturer warns against shampooing, i forgot the name of the manufacturer, i don't have their name on the top of my head, but they recommend just plain water, a neutral cleaner, lemon juice, or booze (hard liquor like everclear) to clean the seats, depending on what the stain is. don't scrub too hard and don't soak it too much

carpets, i dunno about that., repeated use of a carpet shampooer can really harm the fabric

alacante? alicante? something like that

seasalsa · 07-19-2008, 08:29 AM

I think you will find that plain water on a cloth will remove most stains. The fabric is similar to Alcantara in that it is a polyester ultramicrofibre.

In my 4+ years of ownership I have yet to run into a fabric stain that could not be removed with a damp cloth. The carpets can be cleaned with your favorite carpet cleaning product.

Armor All protectant is not meant to clean fabric.

rigormortis · 07-19-2008, 10:03 AM

i thought i read somewhere that it was alacantara and not "similar" too

seasalsa · 07-19-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rigormortis

i thought i read somewhere that it was alacantara and not "similar" too

Alcantara is a registered trademark and you will not find it used in any Prius specifications.

When the 04 came out someone used Alcantara to describe the fabric however it was later refuted.

rigormortis · 07-19-2008, 10:48 AM

i feel less special now

McDonald · 07-19-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seasalsa

Armor All protectant is not meant to clean fabric.

I didn't say the protectant. Armor All makes many products, including interior shampoo/upholstery cleaner. I was saying that from my experience with their dash/cleaner etc. I wouldn't use any of their other products.

And I think seat covers are tacky. It's not that my seats get really dirty, I just want to be able to clean them as much as I can.

07-18-2008, 10:47 PM	#1
McDonald Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 272 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 6	Cleaning/Shampooing Cloth Interior? What is the best cleaner/method to do a mini-shampoo or thorough wipe down of the seats (cloth interior, not leather)? I found one thread that mentioned Simple Green (I like this idea) and ArmorAll (found their products to generally be sticky in the Prius), some people swear by 303, any others I should check out? And do I have to rinse after I scrub? Is this generally true for all cleaners? How wet can I get the material? Anything to NOT use? (Bleach obviously) Thanks!

07-18-2008, 11:31 PM	#2
kazots LifesaBeach Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 262 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Cleaning/Shampooing Cloth Interior? Cover your seats!

07-19-2008, 05:37 AM	#3
rigormortis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 1,313 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Cleaning/Shampooing Cloth Interior? i guess i beat everyone on the reply. the seats are some weird italian fabric and the manufacturer warns against shampooing, i forgot the name of the manufacturer, i don't have their name on the top of my head, but they recommend just plain water, a neutral cleaner, lemon juice, or booze (hard liquor like everclear) to clean the seats, depending on what the stain is. don't scrub too hard and don't soak it too much carpets, i dunno about that., repeated use of a carpet shampooer can really harm the fabric alacante? alicante? something like that

07-19-2008, 08:29 AM	#4
seasalsa Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,202 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Cleaning/Shampooing Cloth Interior? I think you will find that plain water on a cloth will remove most stains. The fabric is similar to Alcantara in that it is a polyester ultramicrofibre. In my 4+ years of ownership I have yet to run into a fabric stain that could not be removed with a damp cloth. The carpets can be cleaned with your favorite carpet cleaning product. Armor All protectant is not meant to clean fabric.

07-19-2008, 10:03 AM	#5
rigormortis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 1,313 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Cleaning/Shampooing Cloth Interior? i thought i read somewhere that it was alacantara and not "similar" too

07-19-2008, 10:48 AM	#7
rigormortis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 1,313 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Cleaning/Shampooing Cloth Interior? i feel less special now

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