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There's nothing like a beautifully cleaned car. You've shampooed, rinsed, dried and waxed the body. You scrubbed and polished the windows, lights and alloys until they gleamed. You've even vacuumed the interior and given it a once-over with a cleaning solution. You've probably even replaced the air freshener hanging from the rear-view mirror.
All this is great, and your vehicle looks fantastic. But then you spot something that spoils everything; the car headliner looks filthy! This area is easily overlooked and often neglected - sometimes deliberately so, as it can be a pain to clean.
Grubby car headliners are pretty common, especially in older or used cars and if the vehicle was owned by a smoker. And if kids were involved anywhere, then expect stickiness, dirt and all kinds of unidentified grime!
While our main focus at the Leather Colour Doctor is the care, restoration and preservation of leather goods, we also offer helpful tips and advice about cleaning other materials. In this blog, we'll provide some helpful pointers on getting your car ceiling spotless!
As you've made the effort to visit a blog on the subject of car headliner cleaning, we'll assume that you are seeking advice, and that's great. But for those who stumbled across our page, you might wonder why anyone would need help cleaning a car ceiling.
Well, here's why...
The fabric-covered panel that lines the roof of your car typically consists of a foam backing, an adhesive layer, and a fabric or vinyl surface. Because of its layered construction, cleaning it requires care to avoid damage, particularly to the fabric adhesive.
It's not a simple case of scrubbing as hard as you can to get rid of stubborn stains and dirt! Also, you need to be careful as to which cleaning solution you use, as household detergents containing harsh chemicals aren't suitable. For example, liquid soap (washing up liquid or dish soap) could dissolve the glue, causing the ceiling to sag.
So, let's check out the steps you need to clean your car's headliner without spoiling it!
Check out: How To Deep Clean Car Interior
Before you begin, take a moment to inspect the car headliner for any tears, worn areas or sagging. If it's too badly damaged, cleaning it may make the problem worse so it's best to get it fixed properly before going ahead.
If it's in good condition, or you've sorted the problem, then move on to the next important step...
It's always a good idea to make sure you have everything you need to hand as this makes the process go much more smoothly and quickly.
So, gather together all the stuff you might need, such as:
Lay the plastic sheeting across the dashboard and seats to protect them from dripping water or cleaning solution.
Got all your supplies together and put the sheets in place? Great!
Now it's time to get started. Your cleaning method will depend on how dirty the automobile headliner is. If you just have a couple of water stains or grimy areas, spot cleaning will do the trick. For heavy soiling, you may need to resort to deep cleaning or even use a steam cleaner to get the best results.
Discover: How To Clean A Car Soft Top
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust particles and any loose debris from the surface of the car roof lining.
Make sure to attach a soft upholstery attachment to your hoover and only apply light pressure! Too much force here risks puncturing or denting the headliner material. Work in one direction to avoid pushing dirt deeper into the surface.
Don't forget the areas around the overhead console, lights, visors, mirrors and sunroof (if you have one), as these can accumulate dust and grime.
A branded upholstery cleaner will have instructions on how to use the product, but here's a rough outline of what to do:
Depending on the brand and the level of soiling, your fabric cleaner will need to be diluted. You can use the spray bottle for this, with a ratio of about 1:100 (cleaning solution to water) for light soiling and 1:50 for heavier grime.
You can bypass this step if you're using an aerosol upholstery cleaner, but take care not to use too much as excess cleaner is difficult to shift, especially as it makes a foaming action that penetrates into the material.
Spray the cleaner sparingly onto a microfiber cloth (not directly onto the ceiling!) and gently wipe the entire headliner. Avoid saturating the material as much as possible. Excess moisture in the ceiling can cause mould and mildew to grow.
Let the upholstery shampoo sit for a while to break down grease and grime, and then wipe away with a dry microfiber cloth.
Let the headliner dry completely by leaving doors or windows open for a while. It's best to air-dry your car headliner rather than using a heat source (like a hairdryer) to speed up the drying process, as this can cause the ceiling to sag and warp.
For tough stains, use a more concentrated mixture and gently dab it onto the surface with a clean cloth. Gently scrub the stained area with a soft bristle brush in a circular motion. Again, don't be too rough as you may damage the headliner.
Leave the solution for a good while to allow the active ingredients to break down the dirt, then wipe with a clean microfiber towel.
Steam cleaning is an effective method for deep cleaning a car headliner, particularly when dealing with tough stains or unpleasant odours. However, it requires careful handling to avoid damaging the adhesive layer that holds the fabric in place. Here’s a step-by-step guide on steam cleaning car headliners safely and effectively:
A handheld steam cleaner with a gentle output suitable for upholstery is ideal. Ensure it has adjustable settings so you can control the heat and steam intensity and try to find one with a fabric-friendly attachment. This will distribute the steam evenly and clean the headliner without causing any damage.
Before using the steam cleaner, hoover the car's ceiling using a soft brush attachment to remove dust and loose dirt. Treat any stubborn stains as per the spot-cleaning method above.
Adjust the steam cleaner to its lowest setting to minimise the risk of over-saturating the material. Excessive moisture can lead to mould or cause the adhesive in your car headliner to fail. Hold the cleaner about 6-8 inches from the surface of the ceiling and use slow, sweeping motions, blotting as you go. Work in sections, focusing on one small area at a time to ensure even cleaning.
While a steam cleaner is an effective way to deep clean a car headliner, lingering odours can sometimes remain in your car's interior. Steam cleaning neutralises the bacteria that cause bad smells, but it's not always successful in some cases. There are several reasons for this, although smoke residue and nicotine are often to blame.
You can increase the steam cleaner's effectiveness by adding a few drops of a fabric-safe odour eliminator or essential oil (such as lavender or eucalyptus) to the cleaner's water tank.
Alternatively, give the ceiling a second cleaning to eliminate all traces of dirt and bad odours.
Leave the windows or doors open to let fresh air into the car and dry out the liner. Depending on the weather, you may use a portable fan to speed up the drying process. Ensure the headliner is completely dry before using the vehicle to avoid a damp or musty smell.
By following the above advice you should soon have a clean car headliner.
Even so, some stains and grime may be too severe or deeply ingrained, and it might be wise to take your vehicle to a professional car detailer. While this will involve extra expense, it's often the best option, particularly for those with prestige models.
You should also seek professional help if your car's headliner is sagging or the backing material has detached in places. Cleaning it at this stage will worsen the damage, so it needs to be fixed before cleaning.
Regularly cleaning your car headliner can help to keep it looking (and smelling!) great, and it's wise to include this in your car maintenance schedule.
Above, we've suggested the best way to keep the surface clean, but we're following this up here with a handy section with some cleaning tips and FAQs...
While water can help remove light dirt, it’s not effective for stains or odours. Use a fabric-safe upholstery cleaner for better results, but avoid over-saturating the material.
No, most carpet cleaners are too harsh for headliners and can damage the fabric or adhesive. Always use products designed for car upholstery.
White vinegar can be useful in some situations, but be very careful when using this to clean stains in a car's interior. If you don't dilute it enough the acid will attack the adhesive in the liner and cause it to fail. Using too much vinegar can also leave an unpleasant odour.
On the whole, it's best to stick to a branded upholstery cleaner designed for cars.
Light cleaning every six months and spot-cleaning as needed will help maintain your headliner. A deep clean is recommended once a year or when noticeable stains or odours appear.
Avoid bleach or harsh chemicals as they can discolour the fabric and weaken the adhesive. Stick to gentle cleaners formulated for car interiors.
A musty smell could indicate excess moisture or mould. Steam cleaning followed by thorough drying can help, but if the smell persists, consult a professional.
Steam cleaning is effective but not recommended for severely damaged or sagging headliners, as the heat and moisture can worsen the condition.
While leather is our 'thing' at the Leather Colour Doctor, we try our best to provide helpful advice on other areas, hence this blog post on how to clean a car headliner.
And as we're talking about cars, why not check out our fantastic range of leather and fabric care products? This is the very best way to ensure that your vehicle stays in excellent shape. You can even find our professional fabric dyes for car headliners! These can help restore the interior of your car to like-new condition, offering a cost-effective alternative to the replacement of a headliner covered in water stains (remember though; these stains may be a sign of a leaky roof, so be sure to check this out first).
The Leather Colour Doctor is here for all your leather care needs and more. And if you need advice and assistance, feel free to contact our friendly team at any time.
