I had a weird experience yesterday at a Toyota service center and could use some advice. I took my car in for an oil change and waited in the lobby. When I got back in my car, I noticed three wet spots on my driver’s seat. At first, I thought it was just water, so I didn’t think much of it.
This morning, I realized the spots were still there, and it hit me—they must have gotten oil on my seat. I called the service center, and they asked me to bring the car back in. When I did, they said they cleaned the spots with brake cleaner and dried it with compressed air.
I’m worried because I’ve heard brake cleaner is pretty harsh. I’m concerned it might damage the fabric or push the oil deeper into the seat instead of removing it.
Does anyone know if brake cleaner is safe for cloth car seats? Should I be worried about long-term damage to the fabric?
Hey! Brake cleaner is indeed a strong solvent and is generally not recommended for use on cloth car seats. It can be harsh on the fabric and may potentially damage it or cause discoloration. Since you’re concerned about long-term damage, it’s a good idea to closely inspect the seat for any signs of fading, damage, or lingering odor. You might also want to clean the area with a fabric-safe cleaner designed for car interiors to ensure any residual brake cleaner is removed and the fabric is treated gently. If you notice any issues or if the seat continues to have problems, it might be worth following up with the service center or a professional detailer to address any potential damage.
Generally speaking, cleaning textile car seats with brake cleaner is not advised. It is a potent solvent that is meant to get rid of brake grease and dust, but it might be too strong for upholstery. It could rip the fabric or leave stains that detract from the seats’ look and feel. It is preferable to use an upholstery-specific cleaner when cleaning cloth seats. These cleaning solutions are made to be both safe for the fabric and highly effective. To make sure a cleaner won’t harm the material, always test it on a small, discrete area first.
There are chemicals in brake clean that are known to be skin-irritants. When I’m going to be sitting down for a long time, like on my seat, I wouldn’t put these on.
Brake cleaner is not safe for cloth car seats. While it’s effective at cleaning brake parts, it contains harsh chemicals that can damage fabrics, stain upholstery, and leave behind toxic residues. Using brake cleaner on cloth car seats can result in discoloration and material breakdown. It’s best to use upholstery cleaners specifically designed for car interiors to avoid damaging your seats.
I think it’s best to give the car back to them to get it sorted. If they can’t them it’s time they got you new car seats. Otherwise, a Service Centre that uses brake cleaner to clean your car’s interior isn’t a place you should ever think of returning to. Maybe you should namedrop so we can avoid the it too.