Cleaning Hacks That Promise To Remove Even The Dirtiest Stains From Car Seats

It's a common nightmare for parents who spend their well-earned cash on cars, to have them covered with stains from messy toddlers.

Thankfully, car insurance provider 1st Central has enlisted the help of Tom Puttick, who cleans some of Europe's most expensive supercars.

Here we share Tom's most unexpected but useful car cleaning hacks for parent petrol heads:

1. Milk
   With milk, Tom says it's best to sprinkle baking powder over the wet area and allow it to dry. Once it's fully dried out, vacuum the area and allow to air, which will ward off any unwanted odours.
   
   
2. Chocolate
   Use a household brush to remove loose crumbs off the seat, and then use baby wipes to absorb as much chocolate as possible. If there is an excessive amount, use ice instead to freeze the chocolate which will make it easier to peel or scrape off - and then give it a once-over with a baby wipe.
   
   
3. Yoghurt
   Use some baby wipes to remove the yogurt from the seats and surfaces. Follow this up by using an antibacterial spray and a microfibre cloth to remove any excess mess.
   
   
4. Ice-cream
   Start by removing the cone, flake and any other 'debris' from the ice cream. Use baby wipes to remove any further stains or marks. Make sure to clean thoroughly in order to avoid staining or smelling in the future.
   
   
5. Crisps and biscuit crumbs
   For all those snacks that leave crumbs and can get trodden into the floor – biscuits, popcorn, crisps and muffins – dig out your dustpan and brush and start sweeping. This is the best way to clear your car of crumbs and small pieces of food, and the debris is then collected in one go and can be disposed of easily. Any stubborn remnants can then be easily picked up by running a hoover over the area with a thin nozzled end.
   
   
6. Hummus and dips
   Tom suggests that the best way to do this is actually to use some kitchen towels to remove the dip or the hummus followed by an all purpose cleaner, this will further removed the stain especially on glass. If its smearing get a fibre towel dampened by water will simply remove any stains or any smears.

TOM'S CLEANING SAVIOURS TO KEEP IN THE CAR:

1. Keep a pack of baby wipes in your car. They can be used to wipe sticky finger marks and smeared food off of seats and dashboards easily.
   
   
2. Keep a clean, dry tea towel in the car to clean up any spillages. This will come in handy to clear any liquid mess. It's a good idea to blot the area with the towel, rather than rubbing, to avoid the stain spreading further or engrain it deeper into the fibres.
   
   
3. Use bicarbonate of soda to clean up dairy spillages. If not cleared up properly, all dairy products such as ice creams, milks and yogurts can sour and leave a foul smell in the car. Sprinkling bicarbonate of soda over the area and allowing to air will leave your car smelling fresh.
   
   
4. Use plastic cereal containers to create an in-car rubbish bin. The plastic cereal boxes which can be bought at most supermarkets can be used to create a portable rubbish bin, to help contain the mess kids make in the car. Simply place a plastic bag inside the container and keep in the car to create an instant car bin.
   
   
5. Line your car cup holders with silicone baking cups. This collects all debris in one, removable place, which can be emptied periodically and all rubbish disposed of. It also helps to keep cup holders from becoming sticky and makes it much easier to wipe down surfaces.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk