How to Clean a Car’s Headliner/Roof
A car’s interior roof or headliner gets dirty mainly from the wind blowing in while driving. Air has dust particles in it and when it blows inside the car the dust particles get stuck on the headliner.
It is almost inevitable that your headliner will be dirty, to clean in we can either get the car detailed or we can do it ourselves. To get the job done we will require:
- Microfiber towels
- Detailing brush which can be interchanged with a soft shoe brush and a toothbrush
- Spray bottle
- All-purpose cleaner
For advanced techniques we can add:
Table of Contents
Step 1
We begin by vacuuming the roof, this immediately reduces the workload by half because a majority of the dirt is loose and is removed by using a vacuum.
If a vacuum is not available use a dry detail brush on the headliner first before cleaning, ensure to wear a mask and safety glasses to avoid dust irritation.
Step 2
Check what type of headliner is on your roof, this is crucial because not all headliners are made the same.
If the roof has fabric on it proceed with caution as too much moisture or use of steam will damage the surface and make the headliner sag. If the headliner is fur-like, then that can be cleaned easily just use a soft brush so as not to damage the fur by being too aggressive.
Mix all-purpose cleaner and water in a spray bottle and spray a small area (1×1 foot) on the roof. Agitate with a brush for about a minute then wipe with a towel. In the first wipe, the towel will be dirty so repeat the process again to ensure the surface is as clean as possible. Always overlap sections so as to avoid water running marks.
When done proceed to the next area and repeat the same. Always check on the edges and dry them adequately as they are prone to water running marks.
Step 3
Use a separate dry microfiber towel to dry the headliner by dabbing and rubbing on the clean surface. When done leave the surface to dry.
Advanced Cleaning Techniques
Cleaning the headliner can be exhausting, but having the right equipment makes the job easier and more thorough giving better results.
Step 1
Vacuum the entire headliner. This removes a majority of the loose dirt
Step 2
Spray the soap and water solution on the headliner and agitate with a soft bristle brush. Please take note of the headliner that is on your car as this will determine which method to use.
Step 3
Use an extractor to suck the dirty solution on the surface and dry the surface with a clean microfiber towel. If not pleased with the results repeat steps 2 and 3 to your satisfaction.
A steam cleaner can be used instead of an extractor however, be careful because steam might make the fabric on the headliner sag, so please begin by working on a test area first before working on the entire roof.
Step 4
Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe the roof when done so as to soak up any excess moisture and help the headliner dry faster. Once done leave the roof to air dry.
For stains always we use Isopropanol/Rubbing alcohol or vinegar. Mix water and alcohol/vinegar to the ratio of 1:1 and spray on the stain, let it sit for a minute then agitate with a brush. For advanced stains use appropriate stain remover.
