How To Clean Between Seat And Console

by Sam | Last Updated: May 12, 2021

The area between your center console and the car seat is like no man's land. Food crumbs, dog hair, and loose change are likely to fall into this area and never be seen again. That is until you gather up the courage to clean your interior.

In this article, we'll talk about how to clean between car seats with ease. Say goodbye to those awkward hand positions, because cleaning this area of your car is simple when done correctly. Let's take a look at six different ways you can accomplish this task.

1. Move the Seats

Some people choose to vacuum car seats in the position they're already in. The problem with this approach is that when the seats do get moved, it will expose dirt from places that were missed during the vacuuming stage.

Think of it as cleaning a room in your house, without actually moving any of the furniture. Doesn't seem like a good job, does it? The better method is to increase your reach by moving the seat back and forth. And no, we're not talking about removing them (more on that below).

Start with the seats pushed all the way back. This will free up room to clean areas in the front section of the track. When you're finished, push the seats to the front, so you can repeat the same process with the rear track.

2. Brush Away Hair

There's something about car carpet that makes it almost impossible to clean. It doesn't matter how powerful your vacuum is, because hair always seems to get stuck to the fibers. This is when you need to get creative.

A simple detailing brush will help solve this common problem. Use a little elbow grease to brush the carpet with quick back and forth motions. Agitating the carpet with a brush this way will help lift hairs out from the fibers.

Chemical Guys Induro 7 Heavy Duty Nifty Interior Carpet/Upholstery Brush

Then, all you need to do is vacuum up all the areas that were just brushed. You can even hold the brush in one hand and a vacuum in the other to make cleaning more efficient. This trick takes some time to learn, but it definitely speeds up the process.

3. Use Compressed Air

If you want a unique way on how to clean between car seats, look no further than an air compressor. This machine will use pressurized air to free up dirt, food, and stubborn dog hair wedged in between both cloth and leather seats.

The good news is that you don't actually need to buy a commercial-grade air compressor. There are many handheld models that deliver enough power to clean between your seats. You can also use these tools to dry your wheels and other small areas of the car.

Air Force Blaster Sidekick small vehicle or motorcycle air dryer Metro Vacuum

Just be aware of one thing if you use compressed air. It will be very messy. Sure, it will free up dirt and hair, but it will also get on other areas of your car. Just make sure this is the first step when you decide to clean the interior.

4. Try Different Attachments

Vacuums can be great for getting into those hard-to-reach places. But you might find that some attachments work better than others. Longer vacuum tools are specifically made for cleaning between car seats and other areas.

Don't assume that the attachments your vacuum came with are the only options. There are many after-market parts that have the capability to fit standard shop vacuums. Just make sure to check the size before ordering.

Look for a long crevice tool for cleaning between car seats. This will attach to standard shop vacuums, so there's no need to buy a new machine. Some of these crevice attachments even have a flexible head, which gives you more control when cleaning.

5. Remove the Seats

Taking the time to remove your seats will always be the most thorough way to clean them. You won't have to worry about moving the seats back and forth, or fitting the vacuum into tight spaces. But there are some important things to know before starting this project.

If you're a professional detailer, you could be liable if the seats are not put back correctly. Powered seats will also have harnesses that need to be plugged back in when you're done. The last thing you need to deal with is an electrical issue when you're finished cleaning.

How to Remove Car Seats

Open the hood: The most important step before removing your seats is to disconnect the negative cable from the battery. This helps because some modern cars have airbags and you want to avoid an accidental discharge.
Gather your tools: There isn't a long list of tools needed for this job. All you need is a socket set to remove the seats from the floor of the car. Your seats will usually be attached with Torx bolts or hex bolts.
Remove the front and rear bolts: Most car seats made today are attached to the floor with four bolts. Two in the front and two in the rear. These need to be removed, before moving on to the next step.
Disconnect the wires: Before you take out the seats, make sure to disconnect any wires that are connected. It helps to slightly angle the seat back, so you can have better access to the electrical harnesses.
Take out the seats: Now that the bolts are out and the wires are disconnected, you can remove the seats. Make sure to do this carefully, to avoid causing any damage to the interior of your car, or door panels.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you've learned some new ways on how to clean between your car seats. It can be both annoying and frustrating when it comes to cleaning this area of your car, but it doesn't have to be. You just need to be a little creative and use the right tools.

Don't forget to have patience when it comes to cleaning around your seats. Trying to remove every little piece of dirt from the carpet will take time. That's why you need to agitate with a brush, before vacuuming the loose dirt and hair.