We all know how tough fabric upholstery in cars can be.
Whether it’s coffee spills, grease smudges, sweat marks, or just everyday dust, fabric tends to soak it all up.
And even when you think you’ve gotten rid of a stain, sometimes that stubborn smell just sticks around.
The problem with most store-bought cleaners? They often just cover up odors and can leave behind sticky residues or streaks—especially if you don’t have a wet vacuum to get everything properly rinsed.
A Simple DIY Upholstery Cleaner Using Just Three Household Ingredients
But here’s some good news: you don’t need fancy or expensive products to get your car’s fabric looking and smelling fresh again.
There’s a super effective homemade cleaner you can make with just three common ingredients from your kitchen—baking soda, citric acid, and dish soap—plus a bit of water.
This mix can rival professional upholstery cleaners without costing you a fortune.
How to Prepare Your Homemade Upholstery Cleaning Solution
Start by grabbing two empty 0.5-liter plastic bottles. In the first one, pour in some warm water and stir in 5 teaspoons of baking soda until it’s dissolved.
Put on a spray nozzle, shake it up well, and then generously spritz the areas of your car seat that need cleaning.
Let it sit for a few minutes—this step helps loosen grime and tackle odors naturally.
For the second bottle, dissolve 5 teaspoons of citric acid in water, then add 50 ml of dishwashing gel.
Mix it thoroughly, attach your spray nozzle, and spray this solution over the same spots you treated with the baking soda.
You’ll notice it foams up quickly—that’s the cleaning magic happening as the acids react with the baking soda, breaking down dirt and eliminating smells.
After waiting a couple of minutes for the foam to work, take a clean, dry cloth and gently blot the area to soak up the foam and dirt.
For tough stains, simply repeat these steps until the fabric looks and smells fresh again.
Where Else You Can Use This Cleaning Trick in Your Car
This easy cleaning method isn’t just for your car seats.
It’s great for other fabric surfaces inside your vehicle too, like:
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Fabric-covered door panels
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The car’s ceiling liner
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Thick fabric floor mats
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The cargo or trunk area
Just a heads-up—try not to soak the fabric too much since excess moisture can seep under the upholstery and cause issues later on