Your car is an investment, one that costs thousands of dollars and should be handled with care if you expect it to last. Because cars are such a central part of life, people often take them for granted and treat them as if they are any other possession, but the truth is that your car is a valuable asset that needs to be treated as such. Part of keeping your car in great shape is maintaining the integrity of the upholstery. Though other aspects of the vehicle can be replaced, updating or mending upholstery can be expensive, time consuming, and may alter the look of your automobile forever. To avoid going through the process of fixing tears, stains, and other injuries inflicted upon your car’s seats, keep these tips in mind:
Limit the food that is allowed in the car. Of course eating on the go is a large part of the modern lifestyle, so attempting to ban all consumption of food and drinks while in your vehicle is a bit unrealistic. However, you can limit the damage done to your automobile’s upholstery by managing what kinds of food and drink are allowed. For example, require that everyone use a lid for their cups and that no condiments, such as ketchup, ranch dressing, or honey mustard, are utilized without being first put into a sturdy and easy to manage container. No more emptying ketchup packets on the edge of your fast food bag, that’s a recipe for upholstery disaster.
Keep an eye on the kinds of objects that you transport. You should always take everything with you when you leave the car to keep it clean, but even if you do so you may cause damage to the upholstery by traveling with sharp or dirty objects. Wire hangers or old car parts, for example, can cause tears and stains in the fabric after only a few seconds in the seat. Make sure that you put any potentially damaging items in your trunk or pad them with towels or blankets.
Vacuum regularly. Even if you do not have any large spills, dirt, leaves, and other debris can get caught in your seats, causing wear. Many vacuums have attachments made especially for upholstery, so be sure that you utilize the correct equipment to avoid tears or holes.
Quickly clean any spills. If left unattended, even the smallest of spills can cause big stains. Keep an upholstery cleaner handy and always utilize a clean towel to mop up any unruly drinks or food.
If needed, use seat covers. A tasteful cover that matches the interior of your car can keep your upholstery clean and the interior looking fabulous.
Maintaining the upholstery in your car may seem like a lot of work, but in reality it takes just a little attention a few minutes a week and an awareness of the kinds of items that you allow in your vehicle. The little inconveniences that come with keeping your seats clean and in one piece are well worth the money you will save by not having to replace them.