Reddit mentions: The best automotive upholstery care products

Unless it's really bad you're just better off cleaning it yourself rather than taking it somewhere, because the car most likely doesn't need a full interior detail just for one spill.

For the spill on the center console, an all purpose cleaner (usually abbreviated APC on this subreddit) and microfiber towel will clean it up easily. You can get things like Simple Green locally most likely or if you just want to order things online you can choose whatever. For the leather, you could try a leather cleaner like Adam's, but most will probably do the job just fine. I'm sure you can just use all purpose cleaner on the leather too honestly.

If the center console isn't super messy, you'd probably be fine with just gettings Adam's leather and interior cleaner since it seems to be good for both things that need cleaning

This stuff works great for spot cleaning and this is good for carpet and cloth interiors all over.

Grab one of these next time you're at WalMart (Aisle 12, near the plastic horse dongs) and do it yourself- you'll save money over a professional detailer; you'll have the hardware to use elsewhere; and most importantly, you won't be that guy who drops off a spew-filled car and expects someone else to take care of it. There are a pile of auto detailing videos on youtube that give good tips and techniques. AmmoNYC and Car Cleaning Guru are where I'd start.

I haven't tried it on mine, but I've read that an Alcantara cleaner like the below works well:

Sonax (206141) Upholstery and Alcantara Cleaner - 8.45 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rVU1CbDKNY8RP

There's others, and if you read reviews you'll find people who've used it on their Alcantara Surfaces with success. The only reservation I would have is with later versions of Alcantara (ie. Surface Laptop) which supposedly have a different protective layer than the Alcantara Touch Cover, which I have.

I left mine at airport security check and the airport had to mail it to my house. The person put tape on alacantra keyboard backside, and wrote my name on the tape in pen. The pen marked past the tape and resulted in an inch long pen stain on the alacantra keyboard that I use on my surface pro 3. I successfully removed the blue ink line with the product link below. Just follow instructions. I highly recommend using the brush that is recommended under the "frequently bought together".
I will add that I used a high power stand fan to dry the alacantra area after I have finished cleaning it with the brush.



Sonax (206141) Upholstery and Alcantara Cleaner - 8.45 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_i67-Ab6P2VNY1

I actually do compressed air (I use a Mechanical Duster) first to blow off all the dust and particles that could scratch, then use CG's Total Interior Cleaner sprayed on a clean microfiber cloth to wipe it down, follow up with another dry microfiber cloth to remove any remaining cleaner and buff, then lightly hit it with the air again to blow off any remaining dust that may have clung from the cloth to make it look perfect.

​

I got the carbon fiber package, but I've got similar black plastic in areas and this works extremely well for keeping it clean and protecting it from small scratches. One of my pet peeves is when my SO puts her hands and rings on the carbon fiber/plastic, have been able to buff out small scratches doing this and so far haven't had any permanent scratches.

Paper is a fabric too, why not compare it?

> good luck getting it fully out without damaging your device.

This is where you're wrong, an alcantara cleaner can easily clean stains/dirt (read the reviews, people even mention cleaning their SP4 alcantara keyboards effectively which isn't coated like the surface laptop).

Go to Amazon and order this (I like Meg's products),

• Harbor Freight DA
  
  
• Meg's Endurance Tire Gel
  
  
• Meg's Ultimate Protectant
  
  
• Meg's Ultimate Liquid Wax
  
  
• Meg's APC
  
  
• Rag Company's Borderless Blonde
  
  
• Rag Company's Waffle Weave
  
  
• Hex Logic White Pad (3)
  
  
• Hex Logic Orange Pad (2)
  
  
• Hex Logic Red Pad (2)
  
  
• M105
  
  
• M205
  
  
• 3M Auto Tape
  
  
• Mother's Wheel Brush
  
  
• ABN Woolies
  
  
• Trim Brush
  
  
• Chem Guys Wash Mitt (2)
  
  
• Mother's Clay Bar Kit
  
  This should run you about $345 for everything and have you setup to take care of your car for a long time. You can find a 20% discount code online for harbor freight to bring the price down $55 for the DA. Go to home depot and buy a couple buckets and you will be good to go.
  
  Edit: To add, I went to Lowes and bought a cheap inline sprayer for my hose and it works fine for foaming up the vehicle, plus it only costs $5.
  
  Edit2: If you are going to downvote me please post why you don't like my recommendation.

I've had really good luck with this stuff in my old Focus. Luckily haven't used it on the ST yet.

https://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Wax-T-246R1-Upholstery-Eliminator/dp/B003K1ES2C

Soap

Interior Cleaner

Foam Cannon

Scratch Free Wash Mitt

I'm really enjoying what chemical guys has to offer in their cleaning line up. I'm going to pick up hydro charge from them soon. It's a spray on ceramic coating.

The chamois and quick detailer help to remove grime, oil spots or whatever they are. It's very apparent on a white car. but glad I can actually see it too remove it versus another color car.

​

cc: u/simply_lime

Pretty much the same as regular cloth. Alcantara requires special cleaning products though and to be a little more gentle when rubbing the product in. I feel that stains stick to alcantara more compared to regular cloth, so you will have to repeat product applciation a few times, which can be time consuming. Product

It's why I sold mine. I had to be too precious about it. Constantly cleaning and wiping it - and terrified of scratches.

That said, the Alcantara cleaner from Amazon is good stuff indeed and should help remove sweaty palm stains. https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1536091047&sr=8-2&keywords=alcantara+cleaner

What spray cleaner do you guys use to clean the alcantara?

I was wondering if this $20 Sonax cleaner was worth it: https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494953995&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=alcnatara+cleaner

or can I get away with a $3 bottle of Tuff Stuff? https://www.amazon.com/Tuff-Stuff-Purpose-Cleaner-Cleaning/dp/B0009PCPNQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1494953867&sr=8-4&keywords=fabric+cleaner

edit: or can I even get away with just vacuuming and using a damp microfiber cloth?

My team has a few hundred Surface Laptops that they support. I can attest that the link below works great. Spray it on, brush it in a bit (soft tooth brush, dry rough fingers that we are too manly to put lotion on, etc.), wait 20 minutes, wipe it off.

https://smile.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U?sa-no-redirect=1



Copy of my response from a previous post.

This may not be what you need but you just a few spots here and there, Toyota makes a great spot remover that smells nice.

I believe this is it: SONAX SONAX (206141) Upholstery and Alcantara Cleaner - 8.45 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_nyEHAbCZVRXHP

Haven't tried it because my Alcantara still looks nice but it does have good reviews.

You could try some Alcantara Cleaner. It's worth a shot. I'm thinking you are probably out of luck, though.

This literally happened to me 2 days ago and I was heart broken. This is what worked for me, I took an ice pack and hardened as much as I could and scraped it off, then I took and iron set to cotton, and ironed over a paper bag until no more wax would soak into paper, took maybe 4-5 clean sections. Then I was left with what looked like a grease stain, which I used "Blue coral" upholstery cleaner. There is no indication remaining that anything happened. Here's a link.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Coral-DC22-6PK-Upholstery-Eliminator/dp/B008YFIALY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408556300&sr=8-2&keywords=blue+coral

Edit:Words

Is it fabric/vinyl?

Fabric, try this RaggTopp Fabric Convertible Top Cleaner/Protectant Kit

Vinyl, try this RaggTopp Vinyl Convertible Top Cleaner/Protectant Kit

If it's a painted surface, try white vinegar with water (diluted 1:1), or clay.

Hi,

Maybe try this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=sonax+alcantara+cleaner&pd_rd_r=66c54ddc-042c-48fb-a0fb-c7e19b1d7532&pd_rd_w=7WaL8&pd_rd_wg=bfIv5&pf_rd_p=9bcef603-6ec3-4264-9154-aba24753bfba&pf_rd_r=1HQAXZVPB4HS3TV4895G&qid=1571488374&s=automotive&sr=1-1-catcorr

​

I don't tried it yet, but apparently it works well with surface covers.

Sonax (206141) Upholstery and Alcantara Cleaner - 8.45 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2AMgyb0KENNDZ

This is the product I use whenever I'm detailing a clients car with Alcantara, suede or another kind of fabric, it works wonders and won't damage the fabric.

I've been planning to buy a bottle of this for a few weeks to clean mine. It's probably snake oil in a bottle but it's still cheaper than inkjet printer ink!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BBWJ16U

This has worked well for me getting food spills and discoloring out of my black interior.


turtle wax

Mine is 1 year old and looking like this:

lower-right corner

lower-left corner

upper-right corner

EDIT: I tried all sort of things, including Sonax but nothing changed.

This is what I use for the alcantara in my personal vehicle, works wonders!! https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483915379&sr=8-1&keywords=alcantara+cleaner

try this: https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_2530472011

https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499214591&sr=8-2&keywords=alcantara+cleaner

https://www.amazon.com/forum/-/Tx2E9X3X95MNSTX/ref=ask_dp_dpmw_al_hza?asin=B00BBWJ16U

Found this on amazon

Premium materials require premium cleaning products

What year is your car?

Leather no it shouldn't crack like that after a year.

Alcantara, yes it can. Alcantara is terrible and is nothing but a royal pain to restore/care for. I use this to treat my alcantara.

Sorry 16:9 is a looser guy. I guess we all have preferences but 16:9 sucks for web, sucks for docs, sucks for books, it's only good for video.

Someone in another article recommended the Alcantara cleaner on Amazon this is the first one I saw... didn't do a deep search.
https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494025436&sr=8-1&keywords=alcantara

Actually I believe I found the solution. I was giving it some time to see if it works and today is day number two.
I used this product:

Eagle One E300891200 Interior Detailer, 10 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FKKB2CE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LCraBb53W2PEA

I just sprayed this over the stains and let it rest without wiping it. I left it kind of moistured over night and the the next day I cleaned it with a microfiber towel without applying force. The marks where completely gone but still left some greasy feeling to it. I'm just waiting to see if they come back.
It probably didn't have to be this product and just any other detailing kind of spray. I was kind of scared that leaving the product overnight would leave a mark or something, but it worked. I'll try to add pics later.

After pics: (https://www.imgur.com/a/fzaFA6j)