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More and more professional car detailers are using a vapor steam cleaner to detail vehicles interiors. Steam cleaners produce dry, superheated steam to dislodge dirt, grease and stains from any surface in minutes. It is possible to steam clean seats, center consoles, dashes, cup holders, vents, engines, carpets, door jams and even leather surfaces. Steam cleaning let you detail the car entirely without having to use any chemical. While commercial-grade steam cleaners are sold to car washes, detail shops, car dealerships and car rental companies, home-grade models are available to help you deep clean your car in the most DIY fashion.
Steps
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Vacuum the mats, carpets and upholstery. Don't forget to vacuum the trunk. Unless your steam cleaner has an integrated vacuum, steam cleaning will remove only small debris and dirt, so it is best to vacuum thoroughly first. [1] X Research source -
Use the steam lance to remove dirt and debris in hard to reach areas where your vacuum won't reach. Try it between the seats, in the cup holders, vents and central console. Wipe off excess moisture with a cloth.Advertisement -
Steam clean the seats using the triangular tool with a microfiber cloth, at minimum or medium pressure setting. For very dirty seats, you can use the triangular brush directly on the surface and scrub with the bristles to dislodge dirt. [2] X Research source Wipe off with a clean microfiber cloth. Leather seats should be cup holders after a steam treatment. -
Apply steam to the windows using the window squeegee tool or by spraying steam and wiping off moisture with a clean microfiber cloth. [3] X Research source -
Clean the side panels, ceilings, headliners with the triangular tool and a microfiber cloth. [4] X Research source -
Use the triangular tool to steam clean carpets and mats. A slow forward motion will give the best results. [5] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I remove stickers from windows?Community AnswerIf steaming didn't work, apply an adhesive remover such as Goo Gone and scratch it off with a credit card after it's had a chance to set for a bit.
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QuestionHow do I remove strong odor from a car rug?Gina SayeCommunity AnswerMake sure the rug is dry and then sprinkle dried coffee grounds on the rug. Let it sit for 24 hours and then vacuum coffee grounds up.
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Tips
- Steam cleaning is pretty good at removing unpleasant car smells. If you still have noticeable odors after such a vigorous cleaning, use an odor-removal product designed to get smells out of fabrics.Thanks
- A second vacuuming removes dirt dislodged during the cleaning process.Thanks
- You can remove heavy salt stains using the steam lance with a nylon detail brush. Gently scrub the salt rock until it dissolves entirely. Vacuum for perfect results.Thanks
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Warnings
- Do not steam cleaner damaged leather since it can make it look worse. Always test the surface first.Thanks
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References
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- "I drive a cab and efficient interior cleaning is a huge key to my success!"
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