When it comes to keeping our cars clean, one of the most important tasks is taking care of the seats. After all, we spend a lot of time sitting in them! Not only does this mean that we need to keep them clean and free from dirt and dust, but it’s also important to take care of any spills or accidents as soon as possible. In this article, we will be discussing whether car seat covers can be washed or not, and we will also discuss the best way to clean them.
To answer the question “Can car seat covers be washed?” It depends on the type of seat cover that you have. If you have a seat cover that is made from cloth, then it is probably safe to say that it can be washed. However, if you have a seat cover that is made from leather or vinyl, then it is not recommended that you wash it. This is because these materials can be easily damaged by water. Leather seats can be cleaned with a leather cleaner or conditioner. These products will help to protect the leather and keep it looking its best.
Things to know before washing your seat cover
If you do decide to wash your car seat covers, then there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.
- Mild detergent
- Warm water
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Hairdryer (on a cool setting)
Let’s explore these options in more detail.
1. Mild detergent
If you decide to wash your seat cover, I will recommend you use a mild detergent. This is because harsh chemicals can damage the material of your seat cover. Detergents contain surfactants, which are designed to remove dirt and stains and some are very harsh. I quite remember using a detergent that removed all the dirt but I couldn’t recognize my seat cover because It had faded because of the detergent.
You should also avoid using bleach as this can damage the color of your seat cover and leave it looking dull.
2. Warm water
When it comes to washing your seat cover, you should use warm water instead of hot water. This is because hot water can damage the material of your seat cover and make it shrink.
If you are using a machine to wash your seat cover, then I would recommend that you use the delicate cycle.
I would also recommend that you wash your seat cover separately from other items of clothing because other items of clothing can rub against your seat cover and damage it or even transfer dye to your seat cover.
3. Soft cloth or sponge
When it comes to cleaning your seat cover, you should use a soft cloth or sponge because hard scrubbing can damage the material of your seat cover. You should only use a soft cloth or a sponge when you decide to do it by hand.
All you have to do is add some detergent to the cloth or sponge and then gently scrub the seat cover until all the dirt and stains are removed.
4. Hairdryer (on a cool setting)
Once you have cleaned your seat cover, you need to dry it. The best way to do this is to use a hairdryer in a cool setting. This is because hot air can damage the material of your seat cover.
You should hold the hairdryer about 30cm away from the seat cover and move it around so that all of the seat covers are dry.
You can also dry it under the sun if it’s summer or you live in a place where there is a lot of sunshine. Another alternative is to air-dry it for a few hours.
Once your seat cover is dry, you can put it back on your car seat. Make sure that you put it on correctly so that it doesn’t come loose while you are driving.
How often should I wash my seat cover?
This really depends on how often you use your car and how dirty it gets. If you use your car regularly, then I would recommend that you wash your seat cover at least once a month.
If you don’t use your car that often, then you can probably get away with washing it every few months.
How to clean different types of car seat covers
There are a few different types of car seat covers, so let’s take a look at how to wash them.
1. Cloth seat covers
As I mentioned before, cloth seat covers can be washed. To wash cloth seat covers simply
- Remove them from your car seat
- Machine wash them on a delicate cycle
- Hang them to dry
It is as simple as that.
2. Leather seat covers
Leather seat covers should not be washed as this can damage the leather. The best way to clean leather is with a leather cleaner or conditioner or you can simply wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove the dirt and dust. You can use a blower to shake the loose contaminants off them before you start cleaning. You should avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners on leather as this can damage it.
3. Vinyl seat covers
Vinyl seat covers can be cleaned with a vinyl cleaner or you can simply wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove the dirt and dust. As mentioned earlier, you should avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners on vinyl as this can damage it.
4. Suede seat covers
Suede seat covers should not be washed as this can damage the suede. The best way to clean suede is with a suede brush or you can simply wipe them down with a damp cloth to remove the dirt and dust. You should avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners on suede as this can damage it.
5. Faux fur seat covers
Faux fur seat covers can be machine washed on a delicate cycle or you can hand wash them. To hand wash them
- Fill a sink with cold water and add some mild detergent
- Submerge the seat cover in the water and let it soak for 30 minutes
- Gently scrub the seat cover with a soft cloth or sponge
- Rinse the seat cover in cold water
- Hang the seat cover to dry
6. Sheepskin seat covers
Sheepskin seat covers can be machine washed on a delicate cycle or you can hand wash them. To hand wash them, follow the same instructions as for faux fur seat covers.
You should avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners on sheepskin as this can damage it.
Final Thought
So, can car seat covers be washed? Yes, they can but you need to be careful about what type of detergent you use and how you dry it. I would also recommend that you wash your seat cover separately from other items of clothing and that you avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners on it.
I hope this article has helped you to understand how to wash your car seat cover. If you have any tips or advice, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQ’s
1. How to wash a Graco car seat cover
Graco car seat covers can be machine washed on a delicate cycle. You should avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners on them as this can damage the material.
2. How to wash a Britax car seat cover:
Britax car seat covers can be machine washed on a delicate cycle. You should avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners on them as this can damage the material.
3. How to wash a Chicco car seat cover
Chicco car seat covers can be machine washed on a delicate cycle. You should avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners on them as this can damage the material.