Body Oils vs. Cloth Interior

[Hytec]

We pick up our 2005 Blue BJ Package tomorrow, but my wife and I were "allowed" to sit in and caress it yesterday...SIGH 8)

This will be our first experience with cloth seats and arm rests. How damaging are body oils, sweat, and the like, to the seats and arm rests? What is recommended, or what do most owners use for keeping the cloth clean and unmatted?

We keep our cars 10+ years, and we wear shorts most of the year, so keeping seats and arm rests clean is an on-going chore. Our previous cars had leather and vinyl interiors, so a cleanup with Armor-All and/or leather treatment was all that was needed. But I imagine that cloth could be a lot more difficult to keep clean......?

Thanks, Hank

Yes, there is a "BJ" Package, at least that's how it's listed on the Gulf States Region MSRP sticker. BJ is similar to the BC Package, but without the HID lamps and VSC system. I'll have to check on the Foglamps, but I don't think they're included either. BJ is also about $1000 less than BC.

[IsrAmeriPrius]

Not counting my wife's cars, the Prius is my first car ever with cloth upholstery.

In a warm climate, cloth is infinitely more comfortable than the leather that I was accustomed to.

The upholstery manufacturer, Alcantara®, has very good maintenance instructions for this very resilient (and expensive) material at this site: Alcantara® Maintenance.

[Tideland Prius]

is our seat material really Alcantara?!? wow I thought it was just a really nice set of cloth with suede inserts...

[Hytec]

The upholstery manufacturer, Alcantara®, has very good maintenance instructions for this very resilient (and expensive) material at this site: Alcantara® Maintenance.

Thanks for the info and links. I had never heard of Alcantara, it sounds like an excellent product.
Now I guess I'll just have to learn to clean the car more often...at least more than once a year. ops:

[Prius Maximus]

My armrest got really nasty over the summer. I used Simple Green. It worked great.

[V8Cobrakid]

I think the only things you may potentialy have problems with are the armrest and center console. but i would guess the material to be easy to replace. I've heard of ink coming out of the seats with just soap and water. I had an ink mark and it came out with me sitting on it. hehe. the seats are truly awesome from what i've seen so far.

[DaveinOlyWA]

i had fabric protection put on by my sister (she works for the local ford dealer) and i have had several spills already. taco sauce cleaned up perfectly. ketchup didnt stand a chance.

and yes i had a small accident with a pink gel pen, it also cleaned up easily.

i dont know how much was due to the fabric protection, but i no longer worry about stains.

i am more concerned with the coating that is on the hard plastic interior areas. things like the buttons for the glove boxes have started to show wear already. it seems almost like paint peeling.

whatever it is, it has depth and color. seems like latex paint...

[V8Cobrakid]

the plastics "scuff" easy.. if you get them wet the color comes back. and it looks richer. I went to www.moreshine.com and purchased the case of products. While a few are not needed, the rest work wonders. More shine, Less time put a nice coating on the inside. it does not make it look a gross shiny like armorall or other products would. it simpley brings out the burgandy color in my dash and i no longer get those marks from people fingers. if you need to keep the MFD clean.. i would recommend having the screen off or the car off. I use a microfiber type of cloth from lensecrafters. do not use produts on the screen. it can stain it and cause other problems.

[V8Cobrakid]

I've heard of others who protected.. but i have not notices a difference between those who have protected theirs and those who have not. I did not want to put anything on my seats. I already know about the company that made them and didn't want to mess with their high class product. but my ink came out no problems. I have not had anything else stain. dirt and everything simply wipes right up.

[IsrAmeriPrius]

Some of the cars that feature Alcantara® fabrics:

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