Any tips on cleaning headliner/sunroof liner?

[StreetCreeper]

The PO of my truck wasn't big on the little things like maintenance...or cleaning. So little by little over the last year or so I've been going down the list of things that need fixing, replacing or just plain ol' cleaning.

I've finally come back to the headliner/sunroof liner that has what appears to be some kind of drink or other liquid splashed on them. When I first got the truck, I tried a quick soak and scrub with warm soapy water and a rag on just the actual spots (you can kinda see it in the pic), but I quickly realized it wasn't going to be that easy. So the job was put on the back burner until now.

Before I start messing with this again, I figured I would see if anyone has any experience with cleaning these? Tips, tricks or other advice is very much welcomed.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

I'm in the same process at the moment. I've always used a portable carpet cleaner it seems to focus the cleaner in small area and does a really good job of getting the stains out...

 

[T4R2014]

DO NOT SCRUB IT. You'll damage it. Spray it with a cleaner of your choice and vacuum it out with a shop vac. Blot it on tougher areas if need be. It's a time consuming job when it's on the vehicle.

 

[azcat90]

Is electric toothbrush scrubbing?

DO NOT SCRUB IT. You'll damage it. Spray it with a cleaner of your choice and vacuum it out with a shop vac. Blot it on tougher areas if need be. It's a time consuming job when it's on the vehicle.

I used an electric toothbrush and carpet machine shampoo - seemed to work pretty well.

 

[T4R2014]

I used an electric toothbrush and carpet machine shampoo - seemed to work pretty well.

Interesting. Okay, avoid stiff bristle brushes and try not to press too hard.

 

[Wjktdi]

Try Tuf Stuff. Pep Boys had a special 2 for 1 deal on it. I used it on my new 1999 4Runner headliner with a soft brush and it did a great job.

 

[Sukirman]

Use this

I used to do Auto interior detailing and we use Extra Foamy by Hi-Tec. Just spray on the head liner and wipe with a clean rag. For tough stains, spray and blast with compressed air.


Extra Foamy - Vinyl, Leather, & Cloth Cleaner | DetailYourCar.Com Discount Auto Detailing Supplies

 

[Chuckles89]

I need to clean mine too. I might just leave it so I don't risk it falling apart...

 

[UnderFire]

I had to clean a couple spots on my tan headliner before we installed it, I used Tuff Stuff, put it on a somewhat soft bristled brush, not super soft, but not too stiff either, and gently scrubbed it, only going one way, worked wonders on the spots, can't even tell they were there and it didn't damage the fabric at all.

 

[StreetCreeper]

I'm in the same process at the moment. I've always used a portable carpet cleaner it seems to focus the cleaner in small area and does a really good job of getting the stains out...

So I'm guessing the carpet cleaners don't leave a wet mess afterwards? Good to know!

DO NOT SCRUB IT. You'll damage it. Spray it with a cleaner of your choice and vacuum it out with a shop vac. Blot it on tougher areas if need be. It's a time consuming job when it's on the vehicle.

That's my dilemma, the stains have been baking in the California sun for possibly up to 19 years...so it doesn't want to come out too easy, yet I worry about using force and destroying the fabric. I will say though that if the headliner is made out of the same material as the sunvisors from 99+ runners, it will take a good scrubbing without damage. I used a stiff brush and Scotchgard cleaner on a 99+ junkyard visor with grape juice or bloodstains, and it came out beautiful!

I'll compare the fabrics soon.

I used an electric toothbrush and carpet machine shampoo - seemed to work pretty well.

The tooth brush sounds good but I wonder if I would actually wind up with clean spots instead...

Try Tuf Stuff. Pep Boys had a special 2 for 1 deal on it. I used it on my new 1999 4Runner headliner with a soft brush and it did a great job.

Cool I'll check it out.

I used to do Auto interior detailing and we use Extra Foamy by Hi-Tec. Just spray on the head liner and wipe with a clean rag. For tough stains, spray and blast with compressed air.


Extra Foamy - Vinyl, Leather, & Cloth Cleaner | DetailYourCar.Com Discount Auto Detailing Supplies

I'll check this stuff out too!

I need to clean mine too. I might just leave it so I don't risk it falling apart...

This is one reason I've put it off so long!

I had to clean a couple spots on my tan headliner before we installed it, I used Tuff Stuff, put it on a somewhat soft bristled brush, not super soft, but not too stiff either, and gently scrubbed it, only going one way, worked wonders on the spots, can't even tell they were there and it didn't damage the fabric at all.

I think this may be a good place for me to start as well! That's two nods for Tuff Stuff.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

So I'm guessing the carpet cleaners don't leave a wet mess afterwards? Good to know!







I think this may be a good place for me to start as well! That's two nods for Tuff Stuff.

Yea with the spray nozzle its built pretty close to the suction and correct it seems to do pretty well cause it concentrated into small area.

 

[absalom]

+2 for Tuff Stuff, I regularly film orgies in my truck and this stuff works great to clean the loads off the ceiling!

 

[IsaiahC]

I used Meguiar's professional carpet cleaner and a sponge. It worked just fine. In fact, my water stains were over a year old and darker. Tuff stuff would probably work just as well.

 

[bugman-74]

I used blue coral upholstery cleaner. Sprayed it on, let it sit, and then just vacuumed with wet/dry shop vac.

 

[cashmoney]

Steam clean it. Did several in college when I cleaned carpets professionally. Looked great, smelled better, and was spotless afterwards.

 

[StreetCreeper]

+2 for Tuff Stuff, I regularly film orgies in my truck and this stuff works great to clean the loads off the ceiling!

Note to self: Don't buy a used 3rd gen from Absalom... :biggrin1:

I used Meguiar's professional carpet cleaner and a sponge. It worked just fine. In fact, my water stains were over a year old and darker. Tuff stuff would probably work just as well.

I'm thinking I'll start with the Tuff Stuff.

I used blue coral upholstery cleaner. Sprayed it on, let it sit, and then just vacuumed with wet/dry shop vac.

If Tuff Stuff doesn't work, I'll be looking at other cleaners like Blue Coral!

Steam clean it. Did several in college when I cleaned carpets professionally. Looked great, smelled better, and was spotless afterwards.

What kind of steam cleaner? Can one be rented or are we talking about those little $100 units at HFT?

 

[atalarico]

Sorry to raise the dead here, but my carpets and headliner are in some serious need of cleaning.

I was hoping to just do the $29 RugDoctor rental from HomeDespot and not have to remove the headliner to clean it. Did you have success with this, Street? Really hoping I can just get the hose attachment for the RugDoctor and use it upside down on the headliner. If not, maybe the Bissell Little Green?

It's been...oh...maybe 7 years since the carpets have been cleaned in mine, and it's reaaaaallly gettin' funky in there. I spotted some white mold not too long ago under the rear weathertech mat. I'm sure just running the RugDoc over this interior a few times will vastly improve things even if it doesn't get everything up.

 

[AntleredRuin]

Sorry to raise the dead here, but my carpets and headliner are in some serious need of cleaning.

I was hoping to just do the $29 RugDoctor rental from HomeDespot and not have to remove the headliner to clean it. Did you have success with this, Street? Really hoping I can just get the hose attachment for the RugDoctor and use it upside down on the headliner. If not, maybe the Bissell Little Green?

It's been...oh...maybe 7 years since the carpets have been cleaned in mine, and it's reaaaaallly gettin' funky in there. I spotted some white mold not too long ago under the rear weathertech mat. I'm sure just running the RugDoc over this interior a few times will vastly improve things even if it doesn't get everything up.

I cleaned all kinds of stains off my headliner with some Simple green and a few old towels. Had some really bad water stains from the leaking sunroof and all kinds of black crap, but now good as new.

 

[atalarico]

I cleaned all kinds of stains off my headliner with some Simple green and a few old towels. Had some really bad water stains from the leaking sunroof and all kinds of black crap, but now good as new.

Ah, got it. I'll keep that method in mind if the upside down carpet cleaner doesn't yield good results.

 

[StreetCreeper]

Sorry to raise the dead here, but my carpets and headliner are in some serious need of cleaning.

I was hoping to just do the $29 RugDoctor rental from HomeDespot and not have to remove the headliner to clean it. Did you have success with this, Street? Really hoping I can just get the hose attachment for the RugDoctor and use it upside down on the headliner. If not, maybe the Bissell Little Green?

It's been...oh...maybe 7 years since the carpets have been cleaned in mine, and it's reaaaaallly gettin' funky in there. I spotted some white mold not too long ago under the rear weathertech mat. I'm sure just running the RugDoc over this interior a few times will vastly improve things even if it doesn't get everything up.

I haven't managed to get the stains out yet. Used a couple different cleaners (can't recall which ones now since its been a while) but they didn't work.

I need a steamer or some other type of way to do it. Just spraying some cleaner on did nothing but make clean spots around the dirty spots.