How to Clean Vinyl Fabric

There is an abundance of items in today’s world that are made from vinyl fabric, i.e. clothing, furniture, car interior furnishings and boat seats, just to mention a few of the more common uses of vinyl fabric. Vinyl is basically plastic and is made from petroleum. It’s popularity is due in large part to its durability, toughness, and resistance to dirt, soil and water. If maintained properly, a product that is made from vinyl fabric will be resilient and easy to care for and will last for many years. On the other hand, if not cared for, it will wear and eventually deteriorate. The steps below can aide you in your care of vinyl fabric, particularly the upholstery in your vehicle.

Step 1 – Vacuuming Your Fabric

To clean your vinyl fabric, begin by vacuuming. This will remove dust, debris, etc. This should be done all vinyl fabric such as the seat covers in your vehicle, boat, or on your home’s interior furnishings

Step 2 – Cleaning Your Fabric

A mild dish detergent and water are the best cleaning agents for vinyl fabric. With a sponge or clean cloth and soapy water, simply wipe off the vinyl to remove dirt, food, surface stains, etc. Do this on a consistent basis, so that dirt and grime don’t accumulate and damage the fabric to the degree that it can’t be restored or can't look its best.  

Step 3 - Avoiding the Use of Harsh Cleaners

Never use harsh cleaning solvents or cleansers on your vinyl fabric, particularly cleaners that are abrasive. Some commercial spray cleansers may be an exception. Check on the cleaning products container for proper use of the product. If you’re not sure the cleaning solution you are using will be safe to use, apply a small amount to a patch of fabric that is not readily visible. In this way, you can test your cleaner without risk of discoloring fabric that will be easily seen

Step 4 – Removing Difficult Stains

To remove ballpoint ink marks or marker stains on your car seat or upholstery, use rubbing alcohol or an inexpensive hair spray. To remove blood stains and other hard to remove stains, use a solution of 10% bleach and 90% water. Be sure you test your cleaner on your fabric before applying to a more visible part of the fabric.

Step 5 – Storing Your Boat that has Vinyl Seats

If you have a boat with vinyl fabric seats, you can expect them to be vulnerable to mold and mildew, because of repeated exposure to water and moisture. Try to avoid storing your boat in warm, damp places such as boat houses. To more effectively clean your boat seats, always make sure that after using your boat, you wipe vinyl fabric thoroughly to remove moisture that can promote the growth of mold or mildew.