Best Car Seat Cleaners Reviewed [Mom Approved]

Nothing feels better than owning a clean car. However, car owners everywhere will tell you how easy it is to get it dirty again. In this guide, we will review the best car seat cleaners for such task.

Facing a constant exposure to dirt and dust from your body doesn’t do your vehicle any favors. It’s even worse if it’s dealing with the passengers like kids and pets.

After all, children and animals are prone to make a lot of mess without even realizing it. Thankfully, most of the products reviewed are safe for both groups. Especially important for parents of children who still use child’s seats in their vehicles. 

While it’s true that car upholstery is tough, placing your faith in its durability is a gamble. Without the necessary love and attention, your seats are bound to break or stain (or worse grow bacteria). As such, you’ll want to do your best to keep it in tip-top shape. Cleaning a car by yourself can be a chore; however, there are plenty of tools to facilitate the job. Continue reading below to discover the top 12 car seat cleaners on the market.

Top 12 Car Seat Cleaners

1.Carguys Super Cleaner

Versatility is the name game when it comes to Carguys Super Cleaner. Capable of cleaning a multitude of fabrics such as:

• Leather
• Rubber
• Plastic
• Vinyl
• Leather
• Canvas

Using a water-based polymer formula, Carguys developed a non-toxic, yet extremely potent cleaner. It’s able to remove even the toughest grease stains. Furthermore, this specially designed formula doesn’t require rinsing after using it.

Just don’t use it on the following:

• Glass
• Instrument Panels

Using the Super Cleaner on these surfaces might leave stains on them. Thankfully, aside from those two particular areas, the CarGuys have it covered. Even the toughest kids stains, will not stand a chance.

2. Kids ‘N’ Pets 

Children are messy, dirty, and a tad gross and don’t even think about a pet’s general lack of cleanliness. Both of these will easily make a mess out of your vehicle.

A child’s car seat is one of the dirtiest spots in a vehicle. Accumulating bacteria, mystery stains, food crumbs, and untold secrets, children leave their mark upon it as they grow. Cleaning it can be slightly complicated.

Thankfully, Kids ‘N’ Pets can tackle all of those problems. Removing odors, and stains from even the dirtiest car seat. 

Kids ‘N’ Pets cleans the following materials:

• Carpet
• Furniture
• Bedding
• Clothing
• Car Seats (Built-in, Children)

The best part about this cleaner is that it’s biodegradable, non-toxic, and cruelty-free. Ensuring nobody is harmed during development or even afterward. 

3. Meguiar’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

Professional cleaning right in the palm of your hand. This cleaner works by dissolving quickly into your car’s seats, penetrating the fabric, and removing stains directly. Leaving no residue to clean up afterward, but smelling great. 

The nozzle on Meguiar’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner uses two settings:

• Narrow Stream 
• Wide Mist 

Cleaning has never been easier than now with the help of this product. Capable of removing even the toughest stains, Meguiar’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner can handle children and pets easily. 

4.Chem-Dry Carpet Stain Extinguisher

Liquid stains are particularly hard to remove from car seats. Water stains are particularly tricky as people are commonly unaware of them. However, H20 leaves minerals in the fabric, which eventually sets into the upholstery as time moves forward.

For those scenarios, the best bet is Chem-Dry’s Carpet Stain Extinguisher. Using the power of carbonation, it removes the sediments leftover from any liquid that stains your vehicle seats.

Chem-Dry Carpet Stain Extinguisher removes:

• Pet-related Stains
• Ketchup
• Children-related Stains
• Dirt
• Dust
• Food Spills 
• Soda
• Chocolate
• Syrup
• and More

Accidents are inevitable, pets and children as especially prone to them. Cleaning after them is a chore, however, using Chem-Dry’s Carpet Stain Extinguisher makes it rather simple. 

Non-toxic and green-certified, this cleaner is a fantastic choice for parents of children and pets. 

 5. Mothers Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

Dealing with discoloration can be a real hassle. Thankfully, Mothers Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner is designed to be tough on stains and easy on colors. Offering the perfect pH balance for avoiding discoloration or damaging your car. 

Additionally, the product works for products at home too; great for those moments when children bring the mess to the house. Mothers Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner works on:

• Sheepskin
• Carpet
• Vinyl
• Velour
• Upholstery

Stubborn stains are no match for continuous cleaning. However, Mothers Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner simplifies the process. This environmentally safe cleaner removes stains and leaves no discoloration thanks to its perfectly balanced pH levels. 

6. Blue Coral Upholstery Cleaner Dri-Clean Plus

Designed to tackle a wide variety of “heavy” stains, Blue Coral’s Upholstery Cleaner Dri-Clean Plus makes life easier. Hard-to-remove stains such as:

• Chocolate
• Ink
• Blood
• Lipstick
• Coffee
• Grease

are infamous for their notoriety.  Almost nothing can eliminate these once they’ve set. Thankfully, Blue Coral’s Upholstery Cleaner is specifically designed to handle them. 

Not even children or pets can stand against the might of this product. Which is capable of working on the following fabrics:

• Upholstery
• Carpet
• Floor Mats
• Microfibers

Just don’t use it near the little ones as it could potentially irritate the skin. 

7. Armor All Oxi Magic Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

Cars deal with constant exposure to staining materials like grass and oil. Thankfully, Armor All’s Oxi Magic Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner does a great job of removing them.

By penetrating deeply into the fabrics of your seats, it dissolves even the toughest stains. Restoring your carpets and upholstery to the best possible condition. Oxi Magic Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner works on:

• Carpet
• Upholstery
• Cloth
• Fabric

For tough stains such as coffee, ink, grass, motor oil, mud, and even soda, this product is a lifesaver. 

8.Tuff Stuff Multi-Purpose Foam Cleaner

A classic product known for its reliability and cleaning ability, Tuff Stuff’s Multi-Purpose Foam Cleaner’s reputation is well deserved. However, its primary purpose is cleaning upholstery.

Tuff Stuff works on the following materials and surfaces:

• Upholstery
• Floor Mats
• Carpets
• Walls
• Fixtures
• Tiles (Asphalt and Ceramic)
• Vinyl
• Home Appliances
• Bathroom Fixtures
• Metal
• and more

Known as the ultimate cleaner in some circles, Tuff Stuff’s Multi-Purpose Foam Cleaner is fantastic. Just make sure it stays away from children and pets. 

This product is a flammable aerosol that can cause skin and eye irritation.

9.Chemical Guys Upholstery Shampoo and Odor Eliminator

Cleaning tough stains is a lot easier with the help of chemicals. Thankfully, Chemical Guys’ Upholstery Shampoo and Odor Eliminator do wonders on stains. Even without the use of toxic chemicals like bleach, ammonia, bleach, and other damaging solvents.

This product works on: 

• Fabrics
• Upholstery
• Carpet

Less is more with Chemical Guys’ Upholstery Shampoo and Odor Eliminator. This fast-acting solvent can break down even stubborn stains while remaining non-toxic.

10. 3D Upholstery & Carpet Shampoo

Quality over quantity is the name of the game with 3D’s Upholstery & Carpet Shampoo. Featuring an optical brightener, it’s capable of bringing out the color of your car’s interior back to its original condition. 

3D’s Upholstery & Carpet Shampoo works on: 

• Carpets
• Cloth
• Upholstery

Parents with children of sensitive skin can also rest easy, as it is hypoallergenic. Making it a great product to use in both houses and vehicle interior. 

Finally, it’s biodegradable making it safe for the environment.

11. Black Diamond Upholstery Cleaner

Cleaning upholstery on a budget does not have to be complicated, thanks to Black Diamond Upholstery Cleaner. Specially formulated to tackle grime, and children-related stains, it can handle even tough stains easily. 

Black Diamond Upholstery Cleaner works on the following surfaces and contaminants:

• Carpets
• Grease
• Dirt
• Wine
• Pet Stains
• Upholstery
• Cotton
• Wool
• Microfiber
• Nylon
• Rugs
• Fabrics

Phosphate-free, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable, Black Diamond’s Upholstery Cleaner is safe for children, pets as well as the environment.

12. Ultima Antimicrobial Interior Shampoo Gel

No rinsing is required when you use Ultima’s Antimicrobial Interior Shampoo. Dirt and residue are no match for this product as it dries within minutes. Leaving a vehicle’s interior finish intact and without damage. 

Additionally, without the use of harmful chemicals, Ultima’s Antimicrobial Interior Shampoo Gel does not leave a negative impact on the environment. 

This product works on the following surfaces:

• Leather
• Fabric
• Carpet
• Plastic
• Wood
• Vinyl

Finally, an Active Defense additive removes the threat of bacteria, mold, and viruses. Leaving your car a safer place for the immune system of adults, children, and pets everywhere. 

Easy Cleaning 

Cleaning a car’s seats can be difficult at times. Don’t give up if stains don’t disappear after a single time. Persistence is the key to clean upholstery.

Keeping a car’s interior clean can extend its life and slow down its loss of value. Plus, it feels good to walk in on a clean smelling vehicle.

Just keep in mind the warning labels on each product.

While the majority of the products on this list are non-toxic and safe for children, remember to read each label. Also, don’t forget to clean your child’s car seat as well, these products won’t harm him/her.

Have you tried any car seat cleaners on our list? Which one do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section below!

Last update on 2020-07-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API