Remove stains from standard fabric-covered seats

Hello all!
Anyone know an effective way to remove stains from 6.1 Cali standard fabric seats? I've tried Dr Beckmann's carpet cleaner - very good on carpets) but the beggars are still there!
Thanks
Standingree

Autoglym Interior Shampoo, best I’ve found.

What sort of stains are we talking ?

Kernowboy: Yep - Autoglym stuff is pretty effective! Didn't think of that - thanks.

Californication69: Difficult to know exactly was it is, but I do know what it isn't...not blood, ketchup, green veg, or anything colourful. Neither is it biological(!). Best guess is milk, maybe - while we have breakfast in the van, the stain is recent but we haven't cooked in it for some long time.

I've got a Bissell spot carpet cleaner, purchased to clean up cat related accidents in the house but works brilliantly on the van seats. Don't use any special fluid, had a bottle of generic carpet cleaner in the shed for years.

Has anyone used the likes of ScotchGuard to prevent stains?
If so, how effective is it?

The old stuff used to be quite good….but they changed the formula, not as good apparently

L&R. said:

Has anyone used the likes of ScotchGuard to prevent stains?
If so, how effective is it?

Click to expand...

I sprayed it on our old van seats once a year. The new buyers were amazed at how well preserved our seats were after 10 years. I’m not aware of a change to the formula and can’t say if it was the new or old formula that we used.

We didn’t use full seat covers, but when in ‘camp mode’ we tuck-in a pre-cut sheet to the horizontal seat area. I’d say that we are also probably more careful than the average campervanner (all due respect to fellow forumites).

If you do it, make sure to ventilate well and wear a face mask, covering up areas that don’t need spraying. I’m sure it’s exceedingly bad for us – forever chemicals etc.

Hope that helps.

Another vote for Autoglym interior cleaner

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD.
Hands down the best all purpose cleaner I've ever used. Interior or exterior use and can be diluted according to needs.
If you have grease or oil marks it will get these out with ease at the correct dilution.

Dilute it down to start at around 1% product to 99% water and if required work up to 5% product in on old clean spray bottle.
Either spray directly on surface needing cleaning or onto a microfiber cloth and dab (to stop overspray onto other surfaces).
Don't get it too wet, but ideally agitate it with a detailing/soft brush.
Use a seperate bowl or spray bittle with clean water to spray back over and use another clean microfiber cloth to dab this as dry as you can get it.

I have used it on carpets, headliners, plastic dashboards and externally on wheels, arches and bodywork. If you Google dilution ratios for it, there are plenty of car detailers who use this and can recommend how to use it.

Only thing to consider is, don't mix it too strong to start as it is a really powerful product and don't let it dry as just the product (although that is more if you are using it on plastic or painted surfaces).

White Vinegar, is something I've used on various surfaces including upholstery.

Yet another vote for Autoglym interior cleaner. Do a panel at a time and do the whole panel, not isolated bits, other wise it will just leave you with a "different" patch

L&R. said:

Has anyone used the likes of ScotchGuard to prevent stains?
If so, how effective is it?

Click to expand...

I used Scotchguard from new and it is amazing, the van is 10 years old now and it is still working. I looked at re-doing it last year and learned that 3M have discontinued it, not good for the environment apparently. I have tried an alternative from Autofinesse on an other vehicle, its early days but it's water based and doesn't give me the same confidence.

I have a Vax spot cleaner which I use with a standard upholstery cleaner solution and it does a really good job of removing most stains.