No matter how often or how thoroughly you clean your car, the interior of your vehicle can still get dirty, especially after prolonged usage. Some of the ways that your car can get dirty include:
- Dirt and dyes on your clothes have transferred to the car seats.
- Oil and dirt have been deposited on the wheels and other parts of the dashboard from your hands.
- Oil deposits are building up on the headrest.
- The floor of your vehicle is covered with dirt and grime from your shoes.
A good solution for thoroughly cleaning your vehicle is using a steam cleaner. You can use this whether your vehicle is only slightly or very dirty. There are many reasons why using steamed cleaner is perfect for detailing jobs, including:
- Using steam will not require you to use dangerous chemicals.
- Steam will not only be able to clean the surface of different materials, but it can also get deep into the fabric and the seat upholstery.
- Using steam will make it easier to clean small places that are hard to reach.
- Steam is very safe for cleaning every type of surface.
- Steam will not require scrubbing a stain since it can lift dirt and grime.
- Cleaning with steam will give you quicker results, including hard-to-clean stains.
Another benefit of steam cleaning is that you will not need much water for the cleaning process. This will drive the cost of cleaning down, and the cleaning job will be finished much more quickly.
This is how you should do a car detailing job using a steam cleaner.
Part 1 of 5: Using Steam Cleaner for Carpets and Fabrics
The usage of carpet cleaner is common when you want to clean the carpets and the seat upholstery. This process is usually called steam cleaning, but this doesn’t seem right. Carpet cleaners use not steam but various chemicals to clean the surface. Not only is this cleaning solution not cost-efficient, but the chemicals can also leave dangerous residue on the fabrics and seat upholstery.
Steam cleaning is different since the process is safe and quick without harmful chemicals.
Materials Required:
- A steam cleaner
- A vacuum cleaner
- Triangular brush attachment that is compatible with the steam cleaner
Step 1: First, clean the surface of the carpets and upholstery using a vacuum cleaner. This process will remove all the dust and dirt from the surfaces to ensure the steam cleaner can properly clean them afterward.
To clean areas that are hard to reach with regular vacuum attachments, like around the pedals and seats, try to use a crevice vacuum.
Step 2: Attach the triangular brush to the steam cleaner. The bristles from the brush will be able to lift dirt and other deposits that have been building upon the surfaces.
Step 3: Using the brush attachment, clean the carpet using the steam cleaner. You can also use the bristles to clean thick dirt.
It would help if you used the triangular tool to reach every area of the carpet. You might also need to repeat the process to clean the surface properly.
When you use a steam cleaner, make sure that you move fast enough that the carpet does not get wet from the steam buildup.
Step 4: You can use the steam cleaner on every type of surface that you use for your seat upholstery. Clean the surface properly by making overlapping passes.
If you use soft fabric for the seat upholstery, make sure that you only brush lightly on the surface.
Step 5: Use the vacuum cleaner to clean the carpet. This must be done because the carpet will catch some dirt loose from the seat upholstery.
This process should also be done to clean salt stains on the vehicle carpets if you live in areas that have winter season.
Part 2 of 5: Using Steam Cleaner for Leather, Plastic, and Vinyl Surfaces
You can also use the same cleaner for soft materials like leather, plastic, or vinyl. But, you will have to ensure that you only use soft attachments on the cleaner to prevent scratches on the surface.
Materials Required
- A steam cleaner
- A triangular brush attachment is compatible with the steam cleaner.
- Cloth, foam, or other soft attachments for the steam cleaner.
Step 1: Attach the soft equipment to the steam cleaner. Using a microfiber cloth is usually advisable to clean soft surfaces since it will not cause scratches on the material.
You can also read the microfiber cloth on the regular steam cleaner attachment if you don’t have special soft attachments for the steam cleaner. But make sure to be careful when you use it on soft materials.
Step 2: Proceed by cleaning the vinyl and the plastic materials. Keep using the soft attachments to clean every dashboard component built with plastic or vinyl material.
If the microfiber cloth has absorbed much dust and dirt from dirty surfaces, you must replace it regularly.
The oil deposits on the steering wheel will also need to be cleaned using the soft attachments for the steam cleaner.
Step 3: Proceed by wrapping the microfiber cloth onto the carpet attachment to clean the leather seats.
Be careful not to scratch the leather material on the seat.
Gently use the steam cleaner to clean the dirt on the leather surface. Wipe afterward with the microfiber cloth.
You should also know that the steam can rejuvenate and moisturize the leather to give it a better look.
Steam cleaner is also suitable for removing colors transferred from your clothes. The process is like how you remove dirt from the leather surface.
Part 3 of 5: Using Steam Cleaner to Reach and Clean Tight Areas
You must use a crevice tool suitable with the steam cleaner to reach tight areas that can’t be accessed using regular cleaners.
Materials Required
- A steam cleaner
- A vacuum cleaner
- A crevice tool that is compatible with the steam cleaner
- A crevice tool that is compatible with the vacuum cleaner
Step 1: Point the steam cleaner deep to the location of the dirt as close as possible.
This process can clean the tight areas between the dashboard vents or the seats and console. Some dirty areas that might need your attention are the cup holders, door pockets, and other cracks and crevices in the vehicle.
Use the steam cleaner to apply steam to the location of the dirt directly.
Step 3: Use the vacuum cleaner to clean the areas that have been steamed. You might need to employ the crevice tool for your vacuum cleaner to reach tight places inside the cup holders or other areas.
Part 4 of 5: Using Steam Cleaner for the Headliner
While you are not required to clean the headliner regularly, you should also know that dust and dirt might accumulate on that part.
Your vehicle’s headliner is usually built with foam and pressed board. The surface is usually made from fabric that is attached to the foam. You can damage the headliner while cleaning if the cleaning material is strong enough to soften or wet the fabric and the foam. The headliner cleaning process must be done more carefully to avoid damage.
Materials Required
- A steam cleaner
- A vacuum cleaner
- A microfiber cloth
Step 1: Cover the steam cleaner tip with the microfiber cloth.
Step 2: Use the steam cleaner to wipe the headliner. Avoid staying in one place too long to prevent wetting the headliner surface.
The surface wetting needs to be prevented because the water can damage the glue that sticks the foam and fabric together. You will need to move the water quickly when you clean the headliner.
When cleaning the surface, use the overlapping passes technique to ensure thoroughness, but avoid excessive steam, which could cause fabric sagging on the headliner.
Part 5 of 5: Using Steam Cleaner for Windows
A steam cleaner is also suitable for cleaning the windows from stubborn grime and dirt. The steam is much better at cleaning those because it will soften the substance before removing it.
Materials Required
- A steam cleaner
- A microfiber cloth
- A squeegee attachment that is compatible with the steam cleaner
Step 1: Attach the squeeze to the steam cleaner.
You can exchange the squeegee with a wide attachment covered with a microfiber cloth.
Step 2: Use the steam cleaner to apply steam to the windows. Proceed with the cleaning by moving from top to bottom with overlapping passes.
You can also use this method to clean the windshield by creating horizontal lines on the glass.
The squeegee attachment is usually very effective in removing any substances sticking to the windows.
Step 3: Clean the squeegee before reusing it on the windows to prevent the dirt from sticking again.
You should repeat the process for every window until you can clean the whole glass and the vehicle is free from contaminants.
You can also use the steam cleaner to eliminate bacteria and other dangerous stuff on your vehicle.
Other things that can be cleaned using the steam cleaner are child safety seats and the covers for the upholstery.
FAQ
Can we use a steam cleaner for car detailing?
Yes, a steam cleaner can be an effective tool for car detailing. It can clean various car surfaces, including upholstery, carpets, and dashboard. Steam cleaners are also eco-friendly and can be used without chemicals.
How do you detail a car with a steamer?
To detail a car with a steamer, vacuum the interior first to remove any loose dirt and debris. Then, use the steamer to clean the carpets, upholstery, and dashboard. You can also use the steamer to clean the car’s exterior, including the wheels, tires, and engine bay.
What do detailers use steam for?
Detailers use steam for various tasks, including cleaning carpets, upholstery, and the dashboard. They also use steam to clean the car’s exterior, including the wheels, tires, and engine bay. Steam can also be used to sanitize and deodorize the car.
What should you not use a steam cleaner on?
You should avoid using a steam cleaner on surfaces damaged by heat and moisture, such as unsealed wooden surfaces, delicate fabrics, and electronic components.
Can steam damage car paint?
Steam alone is not likely to damage car paint. However, if the steam cleaner is not used properly, it could damage the paint by causing it to peel or bubble.
Is steam cleaning bad for cars?
Steam cleaning can be safe for cars if done correctly. However, it is important to be careful when using a steam cleaner on delicate surfaces, such as leather upholstery or electronic components.
How long must you wait for a car to dry after steam cleaning?
The drying time after steam cleaning will depend on several factors, including the humidity and temperature of the air. In general, allowing the car to dry for at least 24 hours before using it is recommended.