Seat Cover Cleaning

[Rblackadar]

Hey All!! I just got all the covers I needed to redo both seats. I have the early nylon broadcord ones. I have 2 NOS seat bottoms from Rimmers and got 2 used seatbacks in excellent shape from Robsport. Now with the age of these things and how long they have been on a shelf they do have a mildewy smell to them (to be expected) What is the best way to clean these bad boys? I do have a Miele washer and dryer that has gentle cycles and delicate cycles. Would one wash mess up the vinyl??? Again these washer and dryers are super gentle on those specific modes if there was any cause for concern there. Just looking for some input and to save a little time. Thanks Everyone [;)]

[REPLIC8]

I would fit the covers to your seats as they are & then get them cleaned by a proffesional car valeter. If you wash them first & they shrink you'll have one hell of a job fitting them over the frame/foam. Also any grubby marks made during fitting can be removed.

Andy
1981 UK SPEC TR8

[stevie_a]

<font color="teal"><b>If the material is in good shape

you could put them in the washing machine at the coldest wash possible (probably a 30 quick wash)

after that give it a fast spin then put on the seat frame right away damp

if that is not possible put them on the seat frame then get them professionally cleaned.</b></font id="teal">

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<font size="4"><font color="green"><i>If it's not broke don't fix it.</i></font id="green"></font id="size4">

[nick]

I just finished my interior with the same problems. The covers, which are red/black tartan are used as are the foams. The covers were dirty, mostly from sitting in a dirty environment. The foams all smelled very musty. I used an upholstery cleaner on the covers after I covered them. However, I was left with the odor. So I used an odor eliminator that I bought from the car section at Walmart. One application took care of the problem. I would not immerse the seats in water.


nick
'79 TR7

[Rblackadar]

I think I'm going to throw them in the wash on gentle....there is no cotton that I'm aware of on these seats....all man made (nylon/vinyl) so I'll do that while I'm waiting for the foams to come in.

[windy one]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Rblackadar</i>

I think I'm going to throw them in the wash on gentle....there is no cotton that I'm aware of on these seats....all man made (nylon/vinyl) so I'll do that while I'm waiting for the foams to come in.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Me, personally, Id wash them by hand in cold or warm water and let air dry. Either using a dye and fragrance-free laundry detergent or just Oxy-Clean. Just my two-cents [:D]

Johnny

[Shauniedawn]

The washing machine method works a treat from my experience.

Shaun

[Rblackadar]

OK. I got somw upholstery cleaner and soaked both seat fabrics and worked it by hand into the fabric and foam, then I rinsed them off with a hose in the driveway. I then put them on hangers outside and they look much better. I then took Lexol vinyl cleaner and protectant to the vinyl sections....Wow! were they dirty. They look fantastic now! However they still have that slight scent of cat pee that mildew creates.I think I'll wash them again or hit it with febreeze.