Is it necessary to remove car seats to clean the interior of a vehicle?
The answer: sometimes. Some professional detailers remove car seats routinely for deep cleaning, while others consider it time-consuming unless the job requires it. It often depends on the level of service being offered, the vehicle’s condition, and the customer’s expectations.
Let’s break down the pros, cons, and safe steps to follow when removing car seats for detailing.
Pros & Cons of Removing Seats for Detailing
Pros
Removing seats from a car gives you complete access to areas that are typically unreachable. This is especially useful when detailing heavily soiled interiors or prepping vehicles for resale.
Advantages include:
- Easier access to tight spaces around seat rails and brackets
- Ability to clean up debris that’s fallen deep into seat tracks and flooring
- Provides a unique selling point or competitive edge in high-end interior packages
Cons
Removing car seats comes with added risks and responsibilities. It’s not always necessary — especially for newer vehicles or minor interior cleanups.
Considerations:
- Liability when reinstalling seats with airbags or electronics
- Risk of stripped bolts or mechanical issues
- Time-consuming process that may not be justified for routine details
- Some customers may not care or notice that seats were removed
- In certain cases, there may not be much hidden dirt beneath the seats
How to Remove Car Seats Safely
If you (or your customer) decide that a full interior seat removal is required, it’s important to do it correctly. Always consult the vehicle’s owner manual or a verified guide online. This is especially true for modern vehicles, as their electronics can be more complex, therefore making the removal process more involved. Search:
“how to remove car seat for [MAKE] [MODEL] [YEAR]” (replace the capitalized words with your vehicle’s information)
Step-by-Step: Removing Car Seats
- Move the seat(s) all the way forward
- Locate and remove the rear bolts at the back of the seat tracks
- Move the seat(s) all the way back and remove the front bolts
- Disconnect the battery to disable airbags or electronics before unplugging any seat connectors
- Carefully lift the seat, watching for wires or sensors
- Unplug any electrical connectors, noting their placement for reinstallation
- Line the door frame with towels to avoid damaging the trim while lifting
- Remove the seat from the car, moving slowly to avoid scratches or interior damage
- When reinstalling, always torque bolts to the recommended spec
What to Do After Seats Are Removed
Once the seats are out, you can vacuum, scrub, and extract the carpet like you would the rest of the interior. We recommend:
- Carpet Cleaner & Extractor Soap to deep clean flooring
- A scrub brush or drill-powered brush attachments for agitation
- A Mytee Carpet Extractor to rinse and remove soils
You may determine that removing the car seats is neither necessary nor worth the hassle to complete your job well. In most instances, there are other ways to achieve a full clean.
A good alternative for removing debris from beneath car seats without taking them out is by using compressed air or a tool such as the Tornador Air Blow Out Tool.
When Seat Removal Is Necessary
Some jobs make full seat removal unavoidable, like:
- Extremely neglected interiors
- Vehicles with mold or biohazard contamination
- Pre-sale details for high-end resales
- Abandoned or flood-damaged vehicles
When that’s the case, knowing how to remove car seats safely protects the vehicle and your business.
Looking for more? Check out Detail King’s full guide to interior detailing.