The best method for getting food out of a car seat depends on the seat material and how big the stain is. The most common solution is to use baking soda. First, blot up the grease stain with a dry cloth (place the cloth and apply gentle pressure).
Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Vacuum up the baking soda and wipe the area with a damp cloth.
As a mum of three girls, who love to eat in my car, I have to deal with grease and oil stains on my seats constantly. Act as quickly as you can when you discover such a stain. The stains can get harder to remove, and the smell becomes impossible to deal with.
Generally, Grease stains are similar to oil stains, although they smell worse, and are harder to remove. This means the cleaning procedure is the same for both grease and oil.
In this article, I’ll share six sure-fire methods to remove food grease from your car seats. I’ll also help you determine what technique to use, depending on your car seat type: fabric or leather.
Six ways to remove food grease from car seat
Removing grease or oil stains from your car seat requires two things:
✅ Removing the oil or semi-solid grease from the surface of your seat.
✅ Removing soaked material in the seat to avoid the smells that may remain in your car.
All six methods I’m about to present meet these two requirements, and will work at different efficacies for fabric and leather seats.
Method 1: Using Baking Soda
Baking soda is a mild abrasive. So it can loosen up grease stains. It is also a natural absorbent that can soak up grease and oil.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ First, blot the stain with a dry cloth or paper towel. This should remove any residual oil or grease on the surface of your seat. Make sure you’re not rubbing the stain. Blot up as much oil as possible.
2️⃣ Now sprinkle enough baking soda all around the stain. Baking soda will help to soak up any remaining oil. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
3️⃣ Finally, Vacuum the baking soda and wipe the area with a damp cloth. If there is any residual stain, you can repeat the process.
4️⃣ Baking soda is suitable for cleaning both fabric and leather car seats. However, remember that baking soda is abrasive. So use it with a light touch on the leather seats.
Some benefits of using baking soda:
✅ Inexpensive and easy to find.
✅ A natural product that is safe for the environment.
✅ Effective at removing grease and oil stains.
Method 2: Using a Degreaser
A degreaser is a cleaning solution that removes grease and oil from multiple material types. It’s an excellent solution for cleaning grease or oil stains off your car seats. The degreaser loosens and breaks down the stain, making it easier to clean off.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Apply the degreaser to the stain. Only do this after you’ve blotted up as much grease as possible. Follow the instructions on the product label.
2️⃣ Let the degreaser sit for the time specified on the product label (Usually 10 – 15 mins).
4️⃣ Scrub the area with a brush or sponge (Be super gentle with leather).
5️⃣ Rinse with water.
6️⃣ Wipe the area with a clean cloth.
Repeat these steps if the stain is still visible.
Why use a degreaser to clean grease or oil from a car seat?
✅ It is effective at removing grease and oil stains.
✅It is fast-acting. You get results instantly.
✅ It is easy to use.
Degreasers can help clean both fabric and leather car seats. However, they’re harsh on leather, so use them with caution. I won’t use degreasers on my leather seats because there’s a lot of scrubbing involved that could destroy the leather.
Method 3: Using steam
Steam cleaning is another effective way to remove oil and grease stains from car seats. Hot steam loosens the grease and oil, making it easier to clean. Steam cleaners are also gentle on fabric and leather seats, so they’re a safe option for all types of upholstery.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ At the surface level, remove any loose debris, crumbs, or semi-solid grease from the area around the stain.
2️⃣ Set the steam cleaner to the highest setting.
As a measure of caution, try out the steam cleaner on some area of the seat that is not visible “it could be an area under the seat or a place that is covered by a piece of clothing”. This is to ensure that the steam cleaner does not damage the fabric or leather.
Here’s how you test your steam cleaner:
1️⃣ Set the steam cleaner to the lowest setting.
2️⃣ Hold the nozzle at least 1 inch away from the fabric.
3️⃣ Direct the steam cleaner nozzle at the material. Hold the nozzle in place for a few seconds.
4️⃣ Check the fabric for any signs of damage. Stop using the steam cleaner in that area if the fabric is damaged.
5️⃣ Move the nozzle back and forth over the stain. The steam will loosen the grease and oil.
6️⃣ Blot up the loose grease and oil.
7️⃣ Repeat until the stain is gone.
8️⃣ Allow the seat to dry completely.
Advantages of steam cleaning
✅ Safe and effective for cleaning car seats.
✅ Gentle on fabric. An excellent option for all types of upholstery.
✅ Easy to use and a quick way to get rid of stains.
Anyone can use a steam cleaner.
However, the steam cleaning process can be time-consuming and expensive.
Method 4: Combining baking soda and a degreaser
Baking soda and degreasers can be combined to clean grease and oil stains from car seats with more efficacy. Baking soda, a mild abrasive, can help to lift the stain, while a degreaser can dissolve the grease and oil.
This method is safe for fabric and leather seats because the soda loosens the stain, so you have less scrubbing. Soda and degreasers are two common household products, so this method is cheap.
Here’s how to combine baking soda and degreaser to clean grease or oil from a car seat:
1️⃣ Blot up as much grease or oil as possible with a clean cloth.
2️⃣ Sprinkle the baking soda over the stain and let it sit.
3️⃣ Mix equal parts degreaser and water in a spray bottle.
4️⃣ Spray the degreaser solution over the baking soda and let that sit.
5️⃣ Scrub the stain with a sponge.
6️⃣ Blot up any remaining baking soda and degreaser with a clean cloth.
7️⃣ Wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
8️⃣ Allow the seat to dry completely.
Method 5: Using Enzyme cleaners
Enzyme cleaners use enzymes to break down grease and oil. They’re effective at cleaning various stains, including grease and oil stains, and they’re safe to use on both fabric and leather seats.
Equipment: Enzyme cleaner, spray bottle, a clean cloth.
Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Blot up as much grease or oil as possible with a clean cloth.
2️⃣ Mix the enzyme cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3️⃣ Pour the enzyme cleaner into a spray bottle.
4️⃣ Spray the enzyme cleaner over the stain. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
5️⃣ Scrub the stain with a clean cloth.
6️⃣ Wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
7️⃣ Allow the seat to dry completely.
Some of the benefits of using enzyme cleaners:
✅ Effective at breaking down grease and oil.
✅ Safe for fabric and leather seats.
✅ Enzyme cleaners are relatively cheap.
Method 6: Using an Oxiclean Upholstery cleaner
Oxiclean is a laundry booster effective for cleaning food grease from car seats.
Here’s how to use Oxiclean:
1️⃣ Vacuum the seat to remove any loose dirt or debris.
2️⃣ Mix 1 part Oxiclean with two parts water.
3️⃣ Apply the solution to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
4️⃣ Scrub the area with a brush or sponge.
5️⃣ Rinse the area with water and wipe it dry.
Caution: Always test the OxiClean Upholstery Cleaner on a part of the seat that’s not visible to ensure it doesn’t damage the fabric or leather. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using OxiClean Upholstery Cleaner.
What’s the best method for cleaning grease off your car seat?
The ideal cleaning method depends on the stain’s severity and the type of upholstery. The baking soda method is a good option for small, fresh stains and leather seats. The degreaser method is a good option for larger, older stains.
Combining these two methods is arguably the best option for you, and it’s and it’s the go-to method when all else fails. The technique is not only effective for small and large stains, but it’s also inexpensive and works well for leather car seats.
For stains that have been embedded in the carseat, the steaming method is the best option, and steam.
Regardless of your method, test the cleaning with an area of your seat that’s not visible. Do this to ensure cleaning won’t damage the seat fabric.
Conclusion
There are multiple methods for cleaning grease and oil stains from car seats. The best solution depends on your seat type and the gravity of the stain. Steam cleaning is the most effective method for both leather and fabric seats. Other methods, such as baking soda and degreaser, enzyme cleaners, and OxiClean Upholstery Cleaners, are less expensive and easier to use. Combining degreasers and baking soda is the last resort when most methods fail.
Discover more of our expert car seat maintenance guides to help you make the most of your car seats.
