Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo

What is Carpet and Upholstery Shampoo?

Carpet and Upholstery shampoo is a product that targets and cleans carpet and upholstery surfaces that are found in a vehicle. The carpet in one's vehicle is mainly found along the textile flooring and is made up of fabric and synthetic materials. The upholstery refers to the material that covers the other interior surfaces such as the seats, door panels, headliners, etc. This material is safe on all materials. For example, you can use it on leather, vinyl, plastics, or other fabrics. The shampoo effectively removes dirt, stains, and odors that can be found within the vehicle. This product provides a high foam and is very concentrated when it comes to the deodorizers and cleaning properties. 

What Ingredients are Found in a Carpet and Upholstery Shampoo?

Although different carpet and upholstery shampoo may vary in ingredients, there are a few common ones that can be found in the majority of them.

• Surfactants are the primary cleaning agents that are found in these products. Surfactants break down dirt and remove stains from the vehicle's surface. Some examples of surfactants in cleaning products are sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, and cocamidopropyl -betaine.
• Solvents are common for removing grease, oil , stains, or other stubborn contaminants. Examples of solvents are isopropyl alcohol, glycol ethers, and butoxyethanol.
• Enzymes can be found in this product to get stains out that may be caused from food spilling or stains caused by pets. Enzymes target organic matters/stains.
• Deodorizers and fragrance are added to remove odor and add pleasant smells. These fragrances can be natural or synthetic. 
• pH adjusters can sometimes be found because they optimize cleaning effectiveness and provide balance. Examples of pH adjusters are citric acid or sodium hydroxide. 
• Stabilizers or thickeners can be added to maintain the consistency of the product and add foaming agents. 
• Water is also common as it dilutes the other ingredients. 

How to Use Carpet and Upholstery Shampoo?

The instructions will also vary from product to product, but the general steps to using a carpet and upholstery shampoo are as follows;

1. First you will want to prep the vehicle's surfaces to remove any loose particles and dirt. You can do this by vacuuming or brushing the carpet and upholstery. 
2. Then you will want to dilute the product before using it. For heavier jobs use a ratio of 1:10 and for lighter jobs use a ratio of 1:20. 
3. After diluting, you can apply the product using a sponge or brush. There are brushes that are made specific for this process. Apply the shampoo evenly and be cautious of over saturating the surface. 
4. Gently scrub the surfaces with the carpet and upholstery brush to agitate the shampoo into the fibers and fabric. Use circular motions to loosen the dirt, stains, and odors. Pay extra attention to the stubborn stains you come across.
5. You will want the shampoo to sit on the surface to allow the cleaning properties to penetrate the surface effectively. 
6. After letting it sit, use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner or an extractor machine to remove the shampoo and contaminants. 
7. You can repeat the process if necessary and then begin the drying process. Not letting the vehicle dry completely may cause mildew or mold. 

Make sure to follow the specific instructions that are provided on the bottle you are using. 

*The best carpet extractor you can get for under $ 1,000 is MYTEE S-300H which can be found on amazon and is used by thousands of professional detailers because of its quality and durability in the field.