How to Clean a Car Headliner

If your car’s interior roof is dirty, you’re in the right place. You can easily remove stains and grime with detailing brushes and an upholstery cleaner. For more resilient marks, use a steam cleaner or wet vacuum to give your vehicle a deep clean. We’re here to help you make your vehicle's ceiling look as good as new with step-by-step instructions on everything from spot-cleaning to deep-cleaning and the best cleaners to use , with pro tips from cleaning expert Raymond Chiu and car detailer Chad Zani.

How to Clean a Car Ceiling

Use an upholstery cleaner like Folex or a 2:1 solution of warm water and vinegar.
Spray your cleaner onto a soft-bristled brush.
Move the brush over the headliner in small circles so bubbles form.
Wipe or blot the stain using a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
Repeat until the stain is removed.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Spot Clean Your Headliner

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1
Spray upholstery cleaner onto a soft-bristle brush. Use an auto-industry standard upholstery cleaner like Folex or P&S Carpet Bomber to ensure it’s safe for interior use. Alternatively, make your own cleaner and test it before use. Wet the end of a small detailing brush with your cleaning solution. This way, you have better control of where you’re applying the cleaner inside your vehicle. ^{[1]
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- Keep your vehicle doors open and work in a well-ventilated area while spraying the cleaner.
- Wear nitrile or latex gloves while working with your cleaner to avoid any skin irritation.
DIY Headliner Cleaner

Mix ¹ ⁄ ₄ cup (59 mL) of white vinegar, ¹ ⁄ ₂ tablespoon (7.4 mL) of liquid soap, and 1 cup (240 mL) of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix the solution together.
2
Work the cleaner into the spot by scrubbing it with the brush. Move the brush in small circles so the cleaner starts to form bubbles. Apply light pressure to the brush so the lather works deeper into the spots and penetrates the stain. ^{[2]
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- Be careful with the amount of pressure you add to the brush. If you use too much, you could damage the adhesive underneath the fabric. ^{[3]
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- This method should easily remove stains from dirt or regular wear and tear from any material.
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3
Wipe or blot the spot with a clean, dry microfiber towel. Hold the towel firmly against the area you cleaned to absorb the cleaner. Rub the towel in small circles around the stain to help lift it off of the surface. Check to see if the stain has lightened up, and if it’s still noticeable, repeat the cleaning method. ^{[4]
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- It’s important to use a clean microfiber towel so you can see the stains that lift and avoid adding extra dirt by mistake.
- Microfiber towels can be purchased at any home care or automotive care store.

Section 2 of 5:

How to Remove Tough Stains

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1
Lift as much of the stain as you can with upholstery cleaner and a stiff-bristled brush. Spray an upholstery cleaner like Folex or P&S Carpet Bomber on the bristles until they’re wet. Then, lather the cleaner into the stain by working the brush in small circles to loosen the stain. Wipe away the cleaner with a microfiber cloth and clean as much of the stain as you can. ^{[5]
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- Detailing brushes can be purchased from your local auto care store.
- Avoid skin irritation from the cleaner by wearing a pair of thin nitrile gloves.
2
Buy or rent a steam cleaner. Steam cleaners use pressurized vapors to loosen dirt and penetrate the stains. Look at your local big box or home improvement stores to see if they offer rentals on steamers. Otherwise, purchase a small steam spot cleaner . ^{[6]
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- Low-end steam cleaners cost around $40 USD to purchase.
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Spray the nozzle while holding it 2 in (5.1 cm) from the stain. Use the narrow nozzle or brush attachment on your steamer. Hold it away from the stain and pull the trigger to shoot a burst of steam. Spray the entire stain so the heat and water lift it off from your headliner. ^{[7]
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- Don’t oversaturate the stain with water or else you may damage the adhesive underneath the fabric.
- Damaging the adhesive can cause your headliner to sag. If the moisture penetrates enough, it may also damage the electrical wiring underneath.
4
Blot the stain dry with your microfiber cloth. While the stain is still wet from the steam, pat it dry with your microfiber cloth. If you notice that the stain is still there, spray it with another burst of steam and work your cloth in small circles. ^{[8]
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- This method works best for removing food stains or other resilient spots.

Section 3 of 5:

How to Deep Clean Your Car Ceiling

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1
Spray upholstery cleaner on a stiff-bristled brush. An upholstery cleaner like Folex or P&S Carpet Bomber or an all-purpose cleaner like Chemical Guys Interior Cleaner will work on your headliner. Wet the bristles of a large detailing brush with your cleaning solution. Avoid spraying the cleaner directly on the ceiling of your vehicle since it could cause the adhesive underneath the fabric to loosen up. ^{[9]
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- Work in a well-ventilated area while cleaning your vehicle.
- Wear a thin pair of latex gloves if your skin is easily irritated by chemical cleaners.
2
Rub the ceiling with your brush to lather the cleaner. Work in long back-and-forth strokes so the cleaner starts to bubble. Apply gentle pressure to the brush while you scrub your vehicle’s ceiling. As you’re working, continue to spray cleaner onto your brush if you notice that it isn’t producing a lather anymore. ^{[10]
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- For noticeable spots or stains, work extra cleaner into the area by making small circles with your brush.
3
Use a wet vacuum or steam cleaner to remove the cleaning solution. Put a brush attachment on the nozzle of your machine. Hold the nozzle against your vehicle’s ceiling and turn it on. Start in the front of your vehicle and work towards the back. Work in 24 in (61 cm) strokes across your ceiling to suck up your cleaning solution. ^{[11]
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- This process works best to remove nicotine and smoke residue from your vehicle interior.
4
Let the headliner dry completely. The vacuum or spot cleaner should absorb most of the moisture in your ceiling, but let it air dry for 24 hours. Run your hand over the fabric to make sure the fabric is dry and to remove any lines in the fabric left by the vacuum.
- Leave your windows open if your vehicle is in a safe, temperature-controlled space to let your vehicle air out.
5
Repeat the process if stains are still visible. Once your vehicle has dried out, look for any stains or discoloration remaining on the headliner. Start by doing a spot treatment, but if that doesn’t work, try a heavier cleaning method.
- Some stains won't come out completely. Lighten the stain as much as you can.

Section 4 of 5:

How to Get Mold Out of Your Car Headliner

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Vinegar is a strong disinfectant that works to break down mold. Mix a 2:1 solution of warm water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and shake it vigorously. Although the vinegar may have a bit of a tangy smell, it should dissipate in a few days. ^{[12]
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Apply the solution to a stiff-bristled brush or microfiber cloth and scrub. Once you’ve made the solution, spray it onto a microfiber cloth or stiff-bristled brush and thoroughly rub down the moldy area. It’s important to tackle the mold as soon as you notice it, or else it may grow deep into your vehicle and require a full ceiling replacement to fix. ^{[13]
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- Clean the mold as soon as possible to avoid health problems. Inhaling or touching mold can cause symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, and a skin rash. ^{[14]
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- Wear full-body clothing, disposable gloves, goggles, eye protection, and an N-95 respirator to protect yourself from mold. ^{[15]
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If you’ve scrubbed away at the mold and there are still remnants, repeat the process until you don’t notice any more mold. If the headliner has been left to mold for a long time, say a month or longer, it may be best to replace it entirely, as the mold has likely worked its way past the foam and adhesive. ^{[16]
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Section 5 of 5:

The Best Cleaners to Use On Your Car Headliner

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1
Water and vinegar To make the vinegar solution, Chiu says to mix warm water and white vinegar in a 2:1 ratio in a spray bottle and shake it well. Spray the mixture onto a clean microfiber cloth or brush and scrub gently in a circular motion. Reapply and re-scrub until the stain is removed.
- Chiu suggests adding a few drops of dish soap to help lift heavy stains.
2
Club soda, white vinegar, and Dawn dish soap In a heavy-duty spray bottle, mix 1 tablespoon (14.8 mL) of Dawn blue dish soap, 1 cup (236.588 mL) of white vinegar, and 1 cup (236.588 mL) of club soda. Thoroughly shake to mix. Spray the solution onto a soft or stiff-bristled brush depending on the severity of the stain, then vigorously scrub the stain in circles, reapplying the solution when you notice your bristles drying out. ^{[17]
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- Avoid overapplying the liquid to your brush. You don’t want to damage the headliner!
3
Citrus-based cleaner Zani suggests using a citrus-based cleaner when removing oil stains from your car upholstery. Spray it onto a clean microfiber towel and scrub the stain to loosen it. For the best results, suck the rest of the stain out using a hot water extractor, which is a specialized car cleaning machine.
- If a standard citrus-based cleaner doesn’t work, Zani says to use a bubbling citrus-based cleaner.
4

All-purpose cleaner Zani suggests using a good quality, all-purpose cleaner to remove water and coffee stains. Apply it to a microfiber towel that’s 70% polyamide and 30% polyester and scrub the area. Zani recommends going over an area that’s about 5-10 times bigger than the stain so there isn’t a contrast between the sections that were cleaned and the ones that weren’t.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What's the easiest way to get stains out of a car headliner?

Chad Zani
Auto Detailing Expert
Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services.

Chad Zani

Auto Detailing Expert

Expert Answer

Spray a good-quality all-purpose cleaner onto a clean microfiber towel, preferably one that's 70% polymide and 30% polyester. You could also use a soft horsehair brush. Then, use that to clean directly over the stain. If you spray your cleaner right onto the headliner, you'll end up with a larger area that's obviously been cleaned, and it will stand out.

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How can I remove water stains in my headliner caused by a leaking sunroof?

Community Answer

Baby wet wipes work well without any damages or problems. it's not an easy way do it due to the fast drying, so you may use one peace to clean a little bit, but the results are amazing.

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How can I remove soda from a car ceiling?

Richard Mark

Community Answer

The best way to do this would be to take a terry cloth towel or a microfiber towel and spray the cleaner onto the towel. The you gently rub the area that needs to be cleaned. You should never spray onto the headliner, as getting it too wet can cause the glue to fail and the headliner to sag. Also, do not use anything like a stiff brush, as this can cause a texture difference on the headliner. The good news is that most headliners are pretty easy to clean. Just keep spraying the towel and scrubbing away.

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Tips

The car headliner is a delicate car part that can be easily damaged.

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The headliner is made out of a light material that’s backed by foam, which itself is backed by an adhesive. If the adhesive or foam is damaged, it can cause sagging over time.

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Warnings

Work in a well-ventilated area so the fumes from your cleaner don’t build up.

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Applying too much moisture to the headliner can loosen the glue, penetrate the ceiling, and damage the electrical components.

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Using too much aggression on your headliner can cause sagging.

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Wear a pair of nitrile or latex gloves if you’re easily irritated by chemical cleaners.

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Things You’ll Need

How to Spot Clean Your Headliner

Upholstery cleaner
Soft-bristle brush
Microfiber towel

How to Remove Tough Stains

Upholstery cleaner
Stiff-bristle brush
Steamer
Microfiber cloth

How to Deep Clean Your Car Ceiling

Upholstery cleaner or all-purpose cleaner
Stiff-bristle fabric brush
Wet vacuum or steam cleaner

How to Get Mold Out of Your Car Headliner

Stiff-bristle brush
Microfiber cloth
Warm water
Vinegar

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How to Clean a Car Headliner

How to Clean a Car Ceiling

Steps

How to Spot Clean Your Headliner

How to Remove Tough Stains

How to Deep Clean Your Car Ceiling

How to Get Mold Out of Your Car Headliner

The Best Cleaners to Use On Your Car Headliner

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You’ll Need

How to Spot Clean Your Headliner

How to Remove Tough Stains

How to Deep Clean Your Car Ceiling

How to Get Mold Out of Your Car Headliner

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