Advice on safely cleaning vintage upholstery

I want to try and spot clean a couple of areas on my cloth upholstery. But I'm not sure the best approach. I don't want to scrub too much and fray the 38 year old fabric. I also don't want to create spots that turn out lighter than the surrounding upholstery. So any suggestions on what to use? Best methods you've tried? o No: o No:

 

Try resolve carpet cleaner...in a red spray bottle. Test a small area and see how it works.

 

Might be too strong for that application.

Here is one you can't go wrong with...

-Half bucket of warm water
-A "little bit" of liquid Tide
-Wash cloth and soft brush

 

You might try to clean a small spot in an 'out of sight' area. If you're doing carpet, try under a seat.

 

How about getting soil out of vinyl? My GS has a white vinyl interior, and I'd like to clean it a bit better than it is right now.

Keith

 

I've been very impressed with a product called "Lifter 1". It has removed every stain except rust from both upholstery and carpet in my daily drivers -- with no color removal. I can't promise what it will do to your 38-year old upholstery, but I can tell you that no scrubbing is required; just spray, blot and vacuum.

 

I would have to see how bad it is with my own eyes but...

Wesley's Bleach White DELUTED 50% with 50% water.

Really works well on old white vinyl that has 30 years of filth built up, takes the yellow out of it.

 

Somebody else recommended Bleach White, but didn't say anything about diluting it. I was planning to try it on a piece that wasn't visible, but I like your idea as well. I'll let you know what I find out...

Keith

 

Keith,

After you wash the vinyl with whatever you decide on (I've used simple green, but bleche white sounds like a good idea) - get a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and use it on the seats, door, etc. Basically, you just wet the thing and wipe it over the surface, and you'll be surprised how much black comes off. It gets down in all the crevices.

You can get Magic Erasers in the household cleaning aisle. I see they now have them specific for "heavy dirt" and "automotive", but I don't know if they are any different from the original.

Good luck! They did wonders on my white interior.

Annie

 

Thanks, Annie. I'll try that as well.

Keith