Need some advice on interior cleaning - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Tried2Live · 12-04-2007, 07:13 AM

So the buddy deal isn't always the best deal. I got an alignment and tire balancing last night for $20, and this morning I notice that there's a big dirty spot on the seat, and the armrest fabric is FILTHY. I'm not that anal about my truck, but this is just excessive.

So I can't really take it back to them since I'm not in the system. Has anybody used anything to clean that armrest fabric? And what about the seats? I have a TRD, so I have the mesh-looking seats. I was thinking about running out to Autozone today at lunch to find some type of cleaner, but I obviously don't want to ruin the fabric either.

04asphalt · 12-04-2007, 07:47 AM

looking for the same info. was going to use a can of upolhsrty cleaner from wallyworld but read it may not be color safe

TacomaNashville · 12-04-2007, 08:12 AM

check out the DIY threads for the leather arm rest mods

dktaco · 12-04-2007, 09:34 AM

http://www.autogeek.net/interior.html

Use diluted Simple Green or some of my favorite from AutoGeek DP's Total Interior Cleaner.

Tried2Live · 12-04-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dktaco

http://www.autogeek.net/interior.html

Use diluted Simple Green or some of my favorite from AutoGeek DP's Total Interior Cleaner.

I didn't even think of simple green for some reason. I'll give it a shot. I'd try the other stuff, but I already have the simple green.

Jamco6000 · 12-04-2007, 10:29 AM

have your tried resolve? I used it to get a stain out of the carpet. havent tried the arm rest.

Tried2Live · 12-04-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamco6000

have your tried resolve? I used it to get a stain out of the carpet. havent tried the arm rest.

I haven't tried anything yet. Resolve sounds like it might be a little strong for that armrest fabric, but I really don't know.

WilsonTheDog · 12-04-2007, 12:38 PM

04asphalt · 12-04-2007, 08:02 PM

does anyone have first-hand experience cleaning the upolhstry? leather cleaner should work for the armrest

Jredneck480 · 12-04-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamco6000

have your tried resolve? I used it to get a stain out of the carpet. havent tried the arm rest.

+1, resolve works awesome, you just have to be careful on the seats as it will take up some of the fabric if you scrub to hard.

On the arm rest i just scrub the crap out of it with a meguires interior wipe.

Pb · 12-05-2007, 01:48 AM

Hot water, brush, and wet/dry vac can do a lot. Sucking out the stain is better than using chemical cleaners. Many spot cleaners just make the stain sink down deep into the carpet, so it isn't as visible, but the stain is still there, down deep.

Or you can buy a Bissel Little Green hot water extractor for about $80. They work great.

Or rent a professional cleaner.

On leather I use 8:1 mix of water and original Woolite. Spray it on, rub a little, wipe it off.

gary79 · 12-05-2007, 09:21 AM

[quote=Pb;2081197]Hot water, brush, and wet/dry vac can do a lot. Sucking out the stain is better than using chemical cleaners. Many spot cleaners just make the stain sink down deep into the carpet, so it isn't as visible, but the stain is still there, down deep.

Or you can buy a Bissel Little Green hot water extractor for about $80. They work great.

I agree. many spot cleaners "hide" the spot and then it shows up again in 2 weeks. we had a chocolate milkshake stain on the cloth drivers seat on our 97 Rav. It didn't help that no one cleaned it up initially, it dried into the seat. after 2 yrs of resolve and other cleaners, I got the wife's Little Green machine out and worked that stain over. it did not come back