The majority of people install the car seat covers to their vehicle’s car with the aim of protecting it from damage and keeping them clean. This is particularly true for car owners with children and pets because it ensures a stress-free driving experience. These protective interior coverings also require cleaning from time to time.
Cleaning car covers can be taxing which is why most people opt for professional cleaners. However, even professional cleaners tend to miss a spot or worse, damage the seat covers in the cleaning process. For these unfortunate reasons, you might find yourself googling “can you wash and dry car seat covers”?
Keep reading to learn more about whether you can clean your car seat covers at home and how to dry them. This article will offer insightful details to empower you and your companion to travel safely.
Can You Wash Car Seat Covers?
The answer is YES! You definitely can. Being able to clean your car seat covers and dry them at home, makes them handy and the best solution to keep your vehicle seats clean. These covers will keep away the contaminants from the actual seat surface. Since most of car seat covers are machine washable, you can just take them off and place it in the washer.
It is crucial to understand that all seat covers are not the same and each cover might require a specific cleaning process. For instance, some seat covers may need to be hand washed such as those made with sheepskin. If you want to know “can you wash and dry car seat covers”, you must go through the label that details the cleaning instructions.
There are some common things that you should avoid while cleaning and drying car seat covers. These incorporate certain chemicals, excessive heat, etc.
Step-by-step Guide to Wash and Dry Car Seat Covers
Now that we understand the importance of having clean car covers and have answered can you wash and dry car seat covers; it’s time to figure out how to go about it:
Preparation
Washing the car seat covers take some time. For this reason, it is better to be prepared and collect the tools and appropriate cleaning material required beforehand. In some cases, you might need a portable vacuum cleaner, mild cleaning solution, and a soft brush. Laundry detergent will work for all seat covers.
Wipe of dirt
Before you take off the car seat covers, it is best to remove maximum grime and dust off the covers. This step will decrease the chance of loose containments getting stuck in the washing machine. You can either brush up for this purpose or use a vacuum cleaner.
Disassemble seat covers
If you have really messy covers or love deep cleaning, then you must take off the covers. Be gentle when detaching seat covers. Make sure you remove loose hooks and ties before putting the covers in the machine because it can create serious damage.
Spotting stains and washing the covers
- For Machine-Washable Car Seat Covers
If your car seat covers have tough stains on them, you can pretreat it in the washer by soaking the covers in a mix of stain remover and warm water for 20 minutes. Set the washer on a short washing cycle. When washing the seat covers, try to avoid using hot water as it might cause shrinkage, long cycles as it can harm the covers, and cold water because it will not be effective for dirt and stains.
- For Sheepskin Car Seat Covers
For spot cleaning on sheepskin, you can dampen the stained area and rub detergent on it. Take a soft bristle brush, let it absorb some cold water, and rub on the stains. Using a damp sponge, you can wipe away the detergent from the surface. To protect your luxurious car covers, it is best to see the instructions manual as it will specify the detergent that is safe for sheepskin. It is best to do a spot test with any cleaning solution you are planning to use to see if it would safely clean the covers and not destroy them.
Drying the Car Seat Covers
It is vital to allow the car seat covers to dry to prevent mildew or mold from forming on it.
- For Machine-Washable Car Seat Covers
As high-temperature water is not recommended, it is best to avoid using the dryer on your machine. The high heat from the dryer can also cause them to shrink. For best results, allow the seat covers to air dry on a clothesline. You must dry the covers in a partially shaded area and away from direct sun.
- For Sheepskin Car Seat Covers
Drying sheepskin seat covers typically takes three days. As the covers dry, stretch them out every once in a while to avoid shrinkage. Once they are 90% dry, put them on the seat for it to fit perfectly.
Reinstallation
After the covers dry out completely and do not have any moisture, reinstall them on the car seat.
How can I dry a car seat?
There are numerous ways that can be utilized for drying a car seat, like drying with a towel or using a high-powered air blower. If you wash them in a machine, you can hang the car seat covers on a clothesline to avoid smell, mold, or mildew. Completely dried car seats will also enhance your comfort.
Final Words
Since the answer to the question, “Can you wash and dry car seat covers?” is yes, it makes car maintenance much easier. However, you will need to be cautious when it comes to washing the covers and drying them. To protect your car seat covers from damage, it is essential to read through the instruction guidelines that come with them. Moreover, depending on the car seat cover material; you will need to determine the best way to wash it: hand or machine wash. Lastly, knowing which products are the most suitable will not only make the cleaning process easier but also smoother.