How to Clean Car Upholstery and Floor Mats at Home

Your car interior takes a beating. Coffee spills during the commute, muddy shoes after a hike, dog hair from weekend trips, and food crumbs from the kids in the back seat. Over time, this buildup makes your car look worn and can create unpleasant odors that no air freshener can mask.

Professional auto detailing is great but expensive — typically $150 to $300 for a full interior detail. The good news is that you can achieve excellent results at home with common household products and about an hour of your time. This guide covers fabric seats, leather seats, floor mats, and carpet, with specific stain removal techniques for the most common car interior messes.

What You Need

For Fabric Upholstery

• Vacuum with crevice and upholstery attachments
• Spray bottle
• Warm water
• Dish soap
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Clean microfiber cloths
• Soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush

For Leather Upholstery

• Vacuum with soft brush attachment
• Leather cleaner (pH-balanced, designed for automotive leather)
• Leather conditioner
• Microfiber cloths

For Floor Mats

• Garden hose
• Stiff brush
• All-purpose cleaner or laundry detergent
• Baking soda (for rubber mats)

Cleaning Fabric Car Seats

Step-by-Step Process

1. Vacuum everything first. Use the crevice tool to get into seams, between the seat and console, and under the seats. Remove loose debris before adding any moisture.
2. Pre-treat stains. Spray stained areas with your cleaning solution (see below) and let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Mix your cleaning solution: In a spray bottle, combine one cup of warm water, one tablespoon of dish soap, and one tablespoon of white vinegar.
4. Spray and scrub. Mist the solution onto a section of the seat (do not soak it). Scrub with a soft-bristle brush in circular motions.
5. Blot and absorb. Press a clean microfiber cloth into the fabric to absorb the dirty solution. Repeat spraying and blotting until the cloth comes away clean.
6. Rinse. Spray lightly with plain water and blot again to remove soap residue.
7. Dry. Open all doors and windows to allow airflow. If possible, park in the sun. Do not close the car until seats are fully dry — trapped moisture leads to mold and mildew.

For Odors

Sprinkle baking soda over fabric seats and floor carpet. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (overnight is better). Vacuum thoroughly. Baking soda absorbs odors without leaving a fragrance.

Cleaning Leather Car Seats

Step-by-Step Process

1. Vacuum with a soft brush attachment. Be careful around stitching and perforated leather.
2. Apply leather cleaner. Spray onto a microfiber cloth (not directly onto the seat) and wipe in gentle, circular motions.
3. Work in sections. Clean one seat panel at a time — do not let the cleaner sit and dry.
4. Wipe clean. Use a fresh, damp microfiber cloth to remove cleaner residue.
5. Dry. Buff with a dry microfiber cloth.
6. Condition. Apply leather conditioner following the product instructions. This step is critical — it prevents cracking and keeps the leather supple.

Important Warnings for Leather

• Never use: vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, baby wipes, or household cleaners on leather car seats. These strip the protective coating.
• Avoid excessive water. Leather seats have foam padding underneath that traps moisture and breeds mold.
• Condition every 3 to 6 months to maintain suppleness and UV protection.
• Use a UV protectant on leather if your car is frequently parked in the sun.

Cleaning Floor Mats

Carpet Floor Mats

1. Remove the mats from the car.
2. Shake vigorously to remove loose dirt.
3. Vacuum both sides.
4. Apply carpet cleaner or a mix of laundry detergent and warm water.
5. Scrub with a stiff brush.
6. Rinse with a garden hose.
7. Hang to dry completely — do not put wet carpet mats back in the car.

Rubber or All-Weather Floor Mats

1. Remove from the car.
2. Rinse with a garden hose to remove loose dirt.
3. Scrub with a stiff brush and dish soap or all-purpose cleaner.
4. For stubborn stains, make a paste of baking soda and water and scrub.
5. Rinse thoroughly and let dry.

Tip: Rubber mats are especially important during Oregon's rainy season. They protect the carpet underneath from mud and moisture. Clean them monthly during the wet months to prevent mud buildup and odors.

Removing Common Car Interior Stains

Coffee and Tea

Blot immediately. Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with one tablespoon of white vinegar in two cups of warm water. Apply with a cloth, blot, and repeat. Rinse with a damp cloth.

Grease and Food

Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the stain to absorb grease. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum. Follow with the dish soap and vinegar solution.

Ink

Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Blot, do not rub. For leather seats, use a leather-safe ink remover only.

Pet Stains and Odors

Use an enzyme-based cleaner designed for pet stains. These break down the proteins that cause lasting odors. Apply, let sit for the recommended time, and blot. Follow with baking soda for residual odor.

Mud and Dirt

Let mud dry completely before attempting removal — wet mud just smears. Once dry, vacuum or brush off the dried mud. Then spot-clean any remaining stain with soap and water.

Keeping Your Car Interior Clean

• Vacuum weekly — or at minimum biweekly. Regular vacuuming prevents ground-in dirt that becomes permanent.
• Use seat covers if you have kids or pets. They are far cheaper to clean or replace than the actual upholstery.
• Keep a microfiber cloth in the glovebox for quick spill cleanup.
• Use all-weather floor mats year-round in Oregon to protect carpet from rain and mud.
• No eating in the car is the single most effective rule — but we know that is not realistic for everyone.
• Crack windows when parked on dry days to let air circulate and prevent musty smells.

A Fresh Car Interior, No Detailer Needed

You do not need to spend hundreds on professional detailing to have a clean car interior. An hour with common household supplies, the right technique for your seat material, and a thorough vacuum will make your car feel brand new.

While car upholstery is a DIY job, your home's upholstery and surfaces benefit from the same careful, material-specific approach. Otesse's cleaning professionals treat every surface in your home with the right products and techniques. Get a free quote for your home cleaning needs.