Any suggestions please on how to clean the cloth upholstery in my soon to be returned Buick? We have apple juice stains on the seat plus various other general dirt marks and I think a bit of sucker and blood too....lovely! Of course, we have the pale beige/ cream colored cloth so it is showing everything.
Hi V.!
I've always had good luck with Tuff Stuff. It is in the car cleaning supply section in the store. It has gotten out really tough stains in my upholstery and carpet in my car. I use that and a scrub brush and it works really good. Good luck!
Get a spray n wash pretreater, or one of the others, one with Resolve carpet cleaner added. Then some of the car wash centers (where you clean your own car) sometimes have a vacuum machine and sometimes an upholstery cleaner. Otherwise you can rent a steam cleaner.
Or buy a Shark steam cleaner and clean it that way. Then you'll have it around for cleaning the house too
Ask GM for a list of things that are chargeable on a lease. I just turned in a Chrysler, and they sent be a pamplet of things that they charge and don't charge for.
Stains were something that they don't. The only interior thing they charged for was rips and holes.
Pay to have it detailed. It will cost around $100, but the dealership will charge you more than that if you turn the car in with stains.
Try Murphy;s Oil Soap mixed with some water, a clean cloth, and start scrubbing!
My husband is a car salesman at Hank Graff Chevrolet in Davison. I just double checked with him and you are fine. Stains are considered normal wear and tear. The only things you would have to be concerned about would be any holes or rips and any damage to the outside such as dents or anything broken. If you are nervous still, he would be happy to help you with your turn in. You are allowed to turn in your lease at any gm dealership. His name is Mark Swanson. Dealership phone is ###-###-####.
There are detailing places where you can have it professionally cleaned and detailed. I haven't done it but I think it's about $100.
Honestly, I would pay someone to do it. It's probably worth the money because I'm assuming if you turn it in this condition you will pay penalty $? You can usually get a car detailed for $100-$150. Look in your phone book and call around to get estimates. Tell them about specific stains so they can tell you if they usually can get that kinda stuff out and if there is any up charge for extra stains.
I'd love to know too! I have twin 4 year old girls and my car is a disaster. The juice stains are the worst I think.
V. -
I have a leased Chevy due to be returned in May of next year. My two year old unknowingly stepped in ivory paint and tracked all over my grey backseat when he got in the car! It was on his shoes, the backseat, the carpet, the back of the passenger's seat...
Anyway, I asked a few people what to do, and they suggested letting the dealership clean it. It's considered normal wear and tear, as another commenter suggested, and they don't penalize you for cleaning it. Besides, you'll come out of money trying to clean it yourself or having someone else clean it, and if (God forbid) your upholstery gets damaged further, then you'll most likely have to pay the dealership for having to refurbish or replace it. To be safe, just give them a call and double check.
Best of luck!
Take it to a place that does car detailing. They might have something stronger.
It would be in your best interest to get it done professionally. The cost would be much less then what you will be penalized for after returning the car.
Have you tried Spot Shot on the stains? I think you can get it in most stores like meijers, kmart etc. I got it from sams club. It's like a foam that you spray on, leave and then scrub the stain. I have used it on carpets in my house on various stains (caused by my lovely kids) and it has worked well for me. It hasn't affected the colors on the carpets either.
Good luck ;)
