Cute as they are, pets and children can cause unexpected messes in the car: A nervous puppy “letting it go” or a child getting carsick. Here’s how to deal with these emergencies.

In general

• For any sort of liquid spill, quickly blot up as much of the liquid as you can (gently!) with paper towels or a cloth, before the stain sets in.
• Before using any cleaning agent, be sure to test it on a small, inconspicuous part of the upholstery to see if it reacts with the material or causes the colour to fade.

Permanent marker and ballpoint pen ink stains
What you need: Hairspray or isopropyl alcohol, and cleaning cloth

Method 1
Use a small amount of hairspray directly on the stain and gently wipe away using a cleaning cloth. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Method 2
Dampen a cleaning cloth or cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol and use that to dab the stain without rubbing or wiping. Do not apply alcohol directly on the stain. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Pee
What you need: Vinegar or baking soda, and cleaning cloth

Method

• Place paper towels over the puddle, and press gently to soak up the mess.
• Spray an equal-parts vinegar-and-water mix over the affected area and let it dry naturally.
• You can also apply a baking soda-and-water paste on the affected area, and wipe it off using a damp cloth.
• If a stain and/or smell remains, consider getting a commercial bio-enzymatic cleaning agent, or getting the car professionally steam cleaned.

Vomit
What you need: Paper towels or cloths, baking soda, vacuum, white vinegar and dishwashing liquid

Method

• Use paper towels or cloths to blot the liquid carefully. Then scrape off as much solid matter as you can.
• Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda on the affected area. Leave it for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming it up.
• Scrub the affected area using these liquid cleaning solutions:
  

  –	For leather upholstery, use 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.
  –	For vinyl or cloth upholstery, use 8 parts warm water to 1 part white vinegar, and mix in 5ml of dishwashing liquid.

• Rinse the area using a wet or damp cloth. Blot the area using dry cloths.
• To absorb the odour, leave a cup of baking soda or vinegar overnight near the affected area, and throw it away the next day. You can also leave activated charcoal in the car for much longer periods.

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Company News

Look no further than the Editor’s Note for a quick rundown of the events and achievements that have made 2014 a great year for Subie enthusiasts!