How to Clean a Car Headliner

Cleaning a car’s headliner is one of the most overlooked interior detailing tasks—but also one of the most important. A dirty or stained headliner can trap odors, ruin the look of an otherwise clean cabin, and even affect resale value. The good news? With the right tools and a careful process, you can clean a headliner without causing sagging, damage, or adhesive failure.

Tools & Products You’ll Need

Make the headliner the first thing you do when detailing a vehicle’s interior. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Hot Shot Stain & Spot Lifter
• Interior Super Soap or Extractor Soap
• Hydra Interior Sponge 
• Tornador Interior Cleaning Gun (Cone Brush attachment optional)
• Hot Water Extractor or portable upholstery spotter
• Soft-bristle vacuum brush or crevice tool
• Vapor steamer (for repair, not cleaning)

Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Car Headliner Safely

1. Inspect the Headliner
Make sure it’s structurally sound with no sagging or tears. If sagging is present, you’ll want to repair it before cleaning, or stay away from it altogether.

2. Vacuum the Surface
Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove dry debris, dust, and hair.

3. Spot-Clean Stains
Target any visible stains before soaking the entire headliner. Remember to work gently and use minimal liquid. Here are some common stains:

4. Deep Clean the Entire Headliner
Never spray liquid directly onto the headliner. Use a non-foaming product like our Extractor Soap with a Hydra Sponge or a towel. Dampen the sponge or towel with water, wring out approximately 90% of the water, and spray a mist of the Extractor Soap on the wet sponge/towel. Lightly scrub the headliner, working in sections.

5. Optional: Use a Hot Water Extractor for Tough Areas
For neglected and heavily soiled headliners, spot clean using an Extractor with minimal heat and pressure. Always test first. Avoid over-saturating. Too much water and/or pressure when scrubbing, as well as too much suction power, can loosen the headliner material, causing it to sag. Consider the Mytee Dry GT Metallic Wand if using your extractor to clean a headliner as it has adjustable water pressure and adjustable suction.

6. Clean the Visors
For a quick & easy clean, use a Tornador Interior Cleaning Gun equipped with a Cone Brush and paired with Interior Super Soap.

7. Dry Thoroughly
Crack the windows and let the vehicle air out fully. Use fans or air movers to reduce dry time and prevent mildew. Avoid exposing the headliner to direct sunlight or heat sources, as this can damage the material.

Cleaning a car’s headliner is an important aspect of maintaining the appearance of the interior. It can be a quick and easy task if done regularly, and it can help you and your passengers feel more comfortable during long trips. A clean headliner can also help to improve the overall appearance of your car and boost its resale value.

How to Deodorize a Headliner Without Damage

Odors trapped in the headliner are common, especially from smoke, mildew, or pets. Here’s how to safely eliminate them:

• Tornador + Enzyme Cleaner and Scent: After cleaning with the Tornador and an Enzyme cleaner such as Bio-Zyme, you can also use your Tornador gun with a scent or deodorizer to penetrate fabric fibers.
• Avoid Over-Wetting: Deodorizing sprays should be misted lightly. Be sure not to over-saturate the fabric.
• Ventilation Matters: Open all windows or run the ozone generator to circulate air and help release lingering smells.
• Enzyme-Based Deodorizers: For organic odors (mildew, food), use odor eliminators specifically designed for automotive fabric.

Avoid using fragrance-only sprays. They mask smells temporarily but won’t solve the issue long term.

How to Dry a Car Headliner Safely

Headliners don’t tolerate heavy moisture well. Follow these tips for drying:

• Pat Dry Immediately: After any cleaning, blot with a dry towel—no scrubbing.
• Ventilate the Vehicle: Open doors or windows, and use portable fans if possible.
• Avoid High Heat: Don’t use heat guns or direct sunlight as it can warp or delaminate the headliner.
• Fix Sagging with Steam (only if necessary): Lightly steam the affected area, then press back into place using a foam roller.

What to Do If the Headliner is Damaged

Repairing damaged headliners can be difficult or expensive – in many cases, the only fix will be to replace the entire headliner. That’s why taking precautions is so important. 

If you notice tears, sagging, or burn holes, here are your options:

Sagging: Minor sagging can sometimes be reversed with headliner pins or heat and pressure (steamer + foam roller).  Headliner pins are inexpensive and are designed to blend in with the headliner fabric. These are used to pin the headliner to the foam beneath it to disguise the sagging.For severe sagging, replacement is likely required. 

Tears: These can be patched with color-matched fabric or filled and recoated with texture spray.

Burn Marks: Use our Cigarette Burn Repair Kit to fill and recolor the affected area.

Final Tips

• Always test in a hidden spot first
• Work slowly in small sections
• Avoid oversaturating the headliner.
• Heat can loosen up the glue that holds the headliner to the ceiling so avoid steam cleaning.
• Overlap sections as you clean with your sponge to prevent water stains

A clean, odor-free headliner goes a long way in elevating the overall look and comfort of any vehicle interior. By following the right techniques, you can safely restore headliners without risking sagging, stains, or lingering odors. Whether you’re detailing professionally or maintaining your own ride, consistent headliner care adds real value.