There's nothing quite like that ""new car smell"", but chances
are, time has caused your vehicle to smell like a combination
of tennis shoes, tobacco and wet dog. There's no magic potion
to regain the original luster of your car's interior, but with
a little elbow grease and detailing, you can breath new life,
and a fresher scent, into tired upholstery.
 
Automotive upholstery comes in a variety of materials and
fabrics including vinyl, leather, cloth and velour. Maintaining
the durability and cleanliness of automotive upholstery can be
quite expensive, as many upholstery professionals charge
expensive rates to remove the smallest stain. Fortunately,
there are a number of inexpensive tricks that you can do to
clean up the kind of minor accidents you'll encounter during
your daily drive.
 
These automotive upholstery care tips can involve the use of
common household products that are easy to use and readily
available. However, you must keep in mind that major stains or
marks might require the assistance of a professional automotive
upholstery service to avoid further damage caused by improper
treatment.
 
* Cleaning Automotive Upholstery
Common automotive upholstery, like many fabrics, can be easily
cleaned. Eliminate all surface dust using a small vacuum, and
then use a crevice tool for detailing between small cracks and
spaces in the upholstery. Leather and vinyl upholstery must be
cleaned using a suitable cleaning solution with protector. This
added protection helps to maintain a pliable leather surface,
and prolongs its beautiful appearance.
 
* Spills
It's bound to happen to any commuter: you hit the tiniest bump
or hit the brakes, and you've got a spill on your upholstery.
When it happens, try to soak up as much of the liquid from the
surface of the upholstery as you can, as quickly as possible.
On cloth or velour seats, use a cotton rag or wads of paper
towels to soak up the liquid. You'll need to apply heavy
pressure to get as much of the liquid as possible from the
upholstery.
 
* Heavy Stains
Heavy stains can give you a heavy heart, but don't be too quick
to bring out stain removing chemicals that can damage
upholstery. For most colored stains on automotive upholstery,
especially noticeable ones, try dabbing the affected area with
a baby wipe. If that does not lift the stain, try pre-treating
the spot with a little soda water.
 
* Odor Removal
Aside from obvious sources like spilled beverages, automotive
upholstery can easily pick up odors that circulate throughout
the rest of the vehicle. After a while, the scent of the
upholstery itself can be quite overwhelming, even after the
odorous perpetrator has long since vanished. Cigarettes,
drive-thru fast food bags and even innocent cups of coffee will
all leave a lasting impression. In most cases, deodorizing
sprays can clear the air. Make sure that the windows are open
when you spray, to let harmful fumes escape. If your stinky
culprit is cigarette smoke, more drastic measures can be in
order to drive the odor away. Try to snuff out the smoke smell
by shampooing the carpet with a quality commercial product. If
the smell persists, you'll need to seek professional help.
 
* Leather Upholstery Care
There is nothing more luxurious than a car with leather seats.
Automotive leather is the pinnacle of upholstery options, but
can also be the hardest to maintain. If your automobile is clad
in leather, you've already made quite an investment, and you
know that it requires meticulous care. Most leather interiors
undergo more wear and tear than fine leather furniture, and
require the same degree of care. As with any type of leather,
automotive leather upholstery reacts unfavorably to extreme
temperatures. Premature deterioration, cracked surfaces and a
dull appearance can be caused by severe hot and cold, water and
excess dryness.
 
* Spills on Leather
Unlike fabric seats, sudden spills on leather upholstery can be
easily cleaned with a damp cloth. Leather upholstery must be
maintained with protectant. Purchase protectant specially
developed for leather automotive upholstery, and apply it
regularly to preserve the supple feel and natural moisture of
the leather.  Your beautiful leather seats can easily become a
sticky, grubby mess. Avoid build-up by wiping away surface
residue and dust on a regular basis.
 
Automobiles are big investments, and maintaining your car will
help retain its value. With proper automotive upholstery care,
you'll be able to keep your automobile looking--and
smelling--just like a new car.

About The Author: James Williams contributes to several web
sites, including http://rukar.com and http://yuzie.com