The best water free dry cleaning solvent for upholstery can do wonders. Upholstery can get dirty pretty quickly, especially if you also have kids or pets using it. Moreover, in time, it may even get an unpleasant smell. The disadvantage is that you cannot just wipe it like you wipe your table and expect it to get clean. It’s a little tricky and the sensitive fabric needs to be handled with care.
Thankfully, a water-free solvent will do the job, but in order to make sure it works, you need to find the right product. We picked some of the top products on the market, and we will present them to you in this guide to help you with your decision. We’ll also give you some tips on how to select a good item. So, let’s get started!
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Why Do You Need Water Free Dry Cleaning Solvents for Upholstery?
Your car’s upholstery is a pretty tricky thing to work with, and that is because you cannot use water and just any cleaning solution to get rid of the dirt accumulated on and into the surface. Certain solutions could end up damaging the material, and that’s something you want to avoid.
Water free dry cleaning solvents will make sure the dirt is eliminated, while the color of the textiles stays the same and is not ruined in any way. The quality of the fabric will also be maintained, and your upholstery will be clean and remain in optimal condition for a long time.
Benefits of Water Free Dry Cleaning Solvents
We know what you’re asking yourself, “Why would I spend money on a water free dry cleaning solvent when there are so many other cleaning solutions for upholstery?” Well, you’ll find the answer below.
1. The Material Will Not be Damaged
If you use the wrong type of cleaner for your car upholstery, you risk damaging the textile material by either ruining its quality or discoloring it. Since you care about your upholstery and want it to maintain its optimal condition, you need to look for a gentle cleaning product.
Water free dry cleaning solvents can do just that. If you make sure to use them on the right type of upholstery, they will do their job while making sure the material stays in top condition.
2. Efficient Stain Removal
Getting rid of various stains on your car upholstery is easier said than done. You might have tried numerous traditional cleaning products for those stubborn stains but with no result.
Well, a water-free dry cleaning solvent is very efficient when you need to remove those annoying stains, particularly if the fabric tag has the “S” letter on it. This letter indicates that dry cleaning is the best way to get rid of all stains and dirt from it.
3. Easy to Apply
Most times, the formula is very easy to use on your upholstery. All you have to do is apply it to the area you want to clean and allow it to breathe while drying it properly. So, you will not have to rub and struggle to clean it properly. Application is fairly easy, and any emergency spot can be cleaned without too much trouble.
4. Product Variety
When it comes to water-free dry cleaning solvents, you should know there is a wide variety to choose from. Some of these products come with a brush cap, while others have different pleasant scents so that your car has a nice and fresh smell. Some formulas are also eco-friendly and can be safe for children and pets too.
Best Water Free Dry Cleaning Solvent Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Scotchgard Fabric Shield 40 Ounces |
| View On Amazon |
 | Blue Coral DC22 Upholstery Cleaner |
| View On Amazon |
 | CarGuys Super Cleaner |
| View On Amazon |
 | ProtectME Premium Fabric Protector and Stain Guard for Upholstery |
| View On Amazon |
 | TriNova Non-Aerosol Stain Guard |
| View On Amazon |
 | Armor All Car Carpet & Fabric Spray |
| View On Amazon |
Best Water Free Dry Cleaning Solvent for Upholstery Reviews
1. Scotchgard Fabric Shield 40 Ounces
If you want something that works for multiple types of surfaces apart from upholstery, this Scotchgard product is just what you need. The formula is ideal for items such as curtains, backpacks, pillows, table linens, and many others. And, of course, it does wonders on upholstery. Apart from that, it can be used on certain types of clothing, including dresses, suits, shirts, outwear, ties, and others.
What’s great about this particular formula is the fact that the application is simple. You only have to spray it 6 inches away from the fabric, let it dry, and then repeat the process. It dries clear, so it leaves no marks, and it has no odor – so, you don’t have to worry about any potential unpleasant smells.
Pros
- It’s odorless
- Can be applied with little to no effort
- It offers fabric protection and repels water-based spills, which allows for easier cleanup
- It can be used for multiple types of surfaces, including some clothing pieces
Cons
- While it helps wipe off stains much easier after it’s applied, it’s definitely not immune to staining
2. Blue Coral DC22 Upholstery Cleaner
The more options an upholstery cleaner offers, the better. This is what we liked about this Blue Coral upholstery cleaner. Not only do you get the incredible cleaning formula, but you also get a brush cap with it. This is very easy to use and it will help you get rid of ground-in stains and soils.
The cleaner formula is suitable not only for your car upholstery but also for your floor mats and carpets. Whether the stains are caused by tar, grease, blood, ink, or lipstick, you can leave it to this solution to eliminate all the dirt.
Another great thing about this product is that it also helps neutralize odors, which means that it will keep the environment fresh and you can enjoy an odorless car.
Pros
- It gets rid of any unpleasant odors
- It’s easy to apply
- The brush cap will help you remove stubborn stains much easier
- The can is pretty large, and you can clean a wide surface with it
Cons
- You cannot just clean a single spot with it because it may leave a water mark
3. CarGuys Super Cleaner
After you wipe off a certain stain, you want the area you cleaned to look impeccable. This CarGuys super cleaner can help you in this regard. While other solvents tend to leave a greasy film behind, this one begs to differ. It has a clean finish, so you don’t need to deal with any additional cleaning afterward.
Versatility is not missing either. Aside from your upholstery, this cleaning solution is also ideal for most surfaces except delicate instrument panel screens or glass.
What’s more, this formula will be able to efficiently get rid of stains by lifting away grime and dirt at a molecular level. The nano-technology will make sure every bit of the stain will be removed so you can enjoy the cleanest upholstery ever.
Pros
- It is very versatile
- It will not leave any gloss behind
- It’s very easy to use
Cons
- The formula is pretty strong, and it may end up taking away some of the upholstery’s color in some cases
4. ProtectME Premium Fabric Protector and Stain Guard for Upholstery
Once you spray this formula on your car upholstery, you can rest assured that it will add protection against stains and will reduce the likelihood of fungal growth. It deep cleans your upholstery and maintains a healthy environment for everyone using the car.
The formula is very strong, which is one of the things we liked about it the most. Since it’s stronger than your typical stain repellent, you need fewer applications. As a result, it helps you save time and money.
What’s important is that it doesn’t change the look or feel of your fabric either. In fact, it leaves the car upholstery in top condition and the environment smelling fresh.
Pros
- Environmentally friendly
- Reduces fungal and bacterial growth
- Doesn’t need any ventilation
- It will maintain your upholstery without damaging it in the process
- Can save time and money since it does not require multiple applications
Cons
- The color of certain types of materials may start coming off
5. TriNova Non-Aerosol Stain Guard
You can save a lot of time by getting a product that is easy to apply. That’s one of the reasons why we liked this TriNova product so much. When you want to apply this formula to your car upholstery, you only need to spray evenly, allow it some time to dry, and then go on with your day. You don’t have to worry about multiple applications, because this solvent is strong enough to remove your stains and act as a guard against other types of stains.
The solution is clear and has no odor, so you will not have to deal with any bad smell coming from your upholstery anymore. Also, it’s very safe to use – this is why we consider it ideal, especially when your car also accommodates pets and children. Unlike other similar formulas, this one is not flammable. So, if you use proper ventilation, everything should be alright.
Pros
- It gets rid of any smells
- It’s safe to use indoors
- It can be applied very easily
- Will act as a guard and will thus keep away any spills
Cons
- It needs to be applied again after 30 days
- May take away the color of the surface you’re applying it on
6. Armor All Car Carpet & Fabric Spray
If you want to make the upholstery in your car look as good as new, then this cleaning solvent will do the job. It’s a strong solution that will penetrate deep into the carpet fibers and any other upholstery fabric. Once you apply it, the debris and dirt will be lifted, which makes any stain go away.
So, if you’re very fond of the plush feel and look of your upholstery, then you can rest assured that this product will restore it. It can even get rid of the toughest automotive grime and dirt and make the surface feel like it’s fresh out of the factory. Even better, it will not take away any of the colors either.
The product is also very easy to apply so you will not waste that much time trying to clean your car.
Pros
- Easy to apply on the surface
- Will not take away the color of the material
- It gets rid even of stains that are deep into the textile material
- Will restore the great look and feel of your upholstery
Cons
- May leave a mark on the sidelines of the area where you applied it
Water Free Dry Cleaning Solvent for Upholstery Buying Guide
Let’s be honest, finding the best cleaning solvent for your car upholstery is not very easy. If you’ve never purchased any similar solutions in the past, the chances are that you’re very confused and have no idea which product works best for you. Even worse, you may be scared that if you purchase the wrong solvent, you may end up ruining the upholstery. So, what can you do in this situation?
In order to make sure you settle for the best formula on the market, we will tell you about some features to keep in mind while shopping. There are multiple types of upholstery cleaners, and it’s essential to pick the right one depending on the material, as well as whether you have kids or pets that you travel within your car.
1. Size of the Container
When you buy your cleaning solvent, you need to make sure you choose the right size. You may either have a big surface to clean, or you may just have to clean certain areas regularly if they have a tendency to get dirty.
This, you need to choose the quantity accordingly. A bigger size bottle will last longer, and it will also save some money. If you get a small bottle, you risk running out of solvent in the middle of your cleaning process, or you may have to keep buying the solution more frequently than you’d like to.
2. Care
Not only does the formula have to be effective in removing all the annoying stains but it also needs to come with some care instructions. The label should feature some information that will help prevent damaging the upholstery and maintain your safety. So, make sure you read the instructions and do exactly what they tell you if you don’t want to damage your upholstery.
3. Formula Application
You need to pay attention to the cleaning method that you settle for. That being said, you should choose something like an upholstery shampoo, aerosols, sprays, a homemade dry-cleaning solvent, or a combination of all of these. The better the combination, the better the effect it will have when you are trying to get rid of dirt and stains.
Also, you should check for any hidden parts of your upholstery so that you clean those as well.
4. Type of Solution
Cleaning agents come in multiple types. You can find them in a liquid form or a foamy one, and you have to get the one that will do the best job depending on the textile material you are planning to clean.
Usually, foam solutions do a better job because they have the ability to penetrate upholstery much faster compared to liquids. The reason is that foam cleaners contain both liquid and solid-state detergents, and they will not only clean faster but also more efficiently. So, you might want to look for foam cleaning solvents for your car upholstery.
5. Odorless
You want a formula that smells nice to freshen up the smell in your car. On the other hand, if you or another person using the car is allergic to certain smells, you should go for an odorless formula. This way, it won’t be nauseating or disturbing for anyone.
Apart from picking an odor-free formula, you should also make sure the cleaning agents don’t contain any ingredients that could irritate the skin or affect the health of your children or pets.
6. Find a Reliable Shop
Getting a cleaning solvent for your upholstery is a serious task, and you shouldn’t buy it from just anywhere. Find a reliable and authentic shop that can guarantee for their products. Also, make sure they have a wide variety of items to choose from and that their price-quality ratio is on point.
7. Upholstery Material
The type of material you want to clean will also come into play when you want to choose a dry cleaning solvent. This is why you need to check the instructions on the bottle or the product description before you apply the solution to certain materials. The instructions should specify what fabrics it’s suitable for, so read them carefully if you don’t want to ruin your upholstery.
8. Price
Prices will be different depending on the formula you choose and how good it is. The better the cleaning solution, the higher the price may be. If the product was also manufactured by a renowned brand, the chances are that it may be pricier.
Make sure you avoid suspiciously cheap cleaning solvents that come from brands most people never heard of. Cheap products tend to be of poor quality, and they may end up damaging your upholstery.
That doesn’t mean you have to buy the priciest product out there either. A high price will not guarantee that it’ll be the best product for your upholstery. Just go with something decently priced that reflects the features.
FAQ About Water Free Dry Cleaning Solvent for Upholstery
1. How do I know if a certain dry cleaning solvent is right for my upholstery?
Dry cleaning solvents for upholstery are made specifically for code “S” upholstery fabrics. All upholstery materials have a certain code label, which will help determine what type of solvent you will be able to use for them. When your upholstery is “S” coded, you should only clean it with dry solvents. This is because dry solvent cleaning can deal with more delicate fabrics without damaging them or taking away their color.
2. How can I dry clean my upholstery by myself?
You can dry clean your upholstery by taking a clean towel and starting to brush gently over all the dirty areas. Sometimes, you may have to clean the entire upholstery even if there’s only one affected area because some solutions tend to leave some lines that will not look nice on the surface. If you have a soft-bristled brush, you can also use this to clean areas that are very heavily soiled. Before you use the car seat/s, you should let the upholstery dry.
3. Where can I buy dry cleaning solvents for car upholstery?
The dry cleaning solvents can be found in different places including your local car accessories retailer. If you ask for dry cleaning solvents, they should know what you’re looking for. Of course, you can also find them online and if you don’t want to waste any time driving from one side of the city to another, then the Internet is your best friend.
Wrap Up
Water-free dry cleaning solvents for your car upholstery can do a great job at removing all those annoying stains that are ruining the look and feel of the surface. Since some materials are a little more pretentious to certain solutions, you need a dry cleaning solvent that works best for them. For this, you have to read the label and the instructions.
The products we included in our guide are pretty good and have proven to be efficient. So, and we hope you’ve found what you’re looking for. If you want to shop for another product, make sure to look for the features we mentioned above. You should consider the price, the types of materials it’s suitable for, the size of the bottle, and various other aspects. Use all of our car-related tips and you’ll certainly find the best water free dry cleaning solvent for upholstery.
