THE PROBLEM

Coffee is one of the most difficult substances to stain your car's upholstery. As with a coffee stain on clothing, it can be a stubborn stain that is difficult to remove.

THINGS TO KNOW

Most upholstery cleaning solutions, which comprises of mainly detergent and water, should be effective. Some people have even successfully used plain washing detergent. Any cleaning agent should work as long as one can create lather, as it is the foam that lifts the stain from the surface. With this in mind, the next time someone has a stain to remove, perhaps one should try using shaving cream.

PROPER TECHNIQUE

Firstly, make sure it is the foam type from an aerosol can. The Highway understands that the Gillette cream works the best. Start by scrapping the coffee stain with a blunt knife to get the larger,
encrusted bits off. These should then be vacuumed away. Next, apply some shaving cream onto the stain, rub it in thoroughly and use a damp sponge to soak it up. Remember to rinse the sponge with clean water occasionally to keep it clean and moist during the process. Once the stain vanishes, vacuum the upholstery to prevent water from soaking into the cushion. It is advisable to vacuum several times during the rinsing process also. This method has been known to be effective on leather, vinyl and fabric upholstery.