I was amused to see that the display stand for "Rug Doctor" in my local branch of Morrisons shows it being used to clean - what else - the black and white chequered fabric of a 500 Lounge seat.

I tried to find the picture on the web without success - Michael, over to you....

Incidentally, I have failed to get a chocolate stain out of the rear seat base despite my seats having had Supagard applied to them by the dealer. I'll now call in the Supagard cavalry - it will be interesting to see what they can/will do about it.

RobinPJ said:

I was amused to see that the display stand for "Rug Doctor" in my local branch of Morrisons shows it being used to clean - what else - the black and white chequered fabric of a 500 Lounge seat.

I tried to find the picture on the web without success - Michael, over to you....

Incidentally, I have failed to get a chocolate stain out of the rear seat base despite my seats having had Supagard applied to them by the dealer. I'll now call in the Supagard cavalry - it will be interesting to see what they can/will do about it.

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Good opening post PJ .

I 'acquired' this 'at the time €2,000' Rug Doctor EZ-1 Mighty Pro with the Vibrating brush about 10 years ago and it's been a live saver for my wallet. . (Aren't the names great !)

This along with my Red devil
https://www.fiatforum.com/500/271118-supagard-6.html?p=2780291
are key 'tools' to keep the current Funk baby in tip top condition.

When I got the houndscloth it was quite a learning experience. I ironically carried the Rug doctor on the back seat (should have gone in the wee boot) and some water bleed from the machine and left a wet patch. I cleaned this up and it resulted in a 'orrible water stain.

So down to business. Hoover the whole car. Get the water temperature hot but not to take the hand off you. Use the 'right' solutions along with de-foamer additive and get to work. ALL the fabric of a 'seat' has to be wetted and cleaned in one go so that when the fabric dries out it and leaves no water stains. Used a brand new clean sponge in some clean hot water and rub the fabric all over for 'consistency' of wetness. It also dilutes any cleaning solution on the fabric and stops this seats becoming sticky from the cleaning solution.

Some little tricks. For a stain mark you rub the solution in neat with your finger and then get in with the hand held and do the surrounding area.

I reckon for most people the best option is to get the Fabric regularly valetted. These guys work for little money and give the guy that is actually doing the job a few bob upfront so it gives it that he gives it a little bit of extra attention.

On the positive side the fabric of the houndscloth is good quality and should wear better than the Pop fabric. To me it's still a good choice along with the white ambiance. Or the half leather seats in Sport model with the metallic fabric (this suffers the same dirt problem as the Houndscloth) if you're fine with the Black ambiance.

I haven't used the Supagard or the Scotsguard ? - I've no idea how to clean if this has already been used. I would be interested to hear how that Cavalry of yours sorts out the chocolate stain

Thanks. The instruction is to start by trying to clean it with soapy water (good old Fairy Liquid.) Now that that has not worked they are going to post me something stronger. If that does not work they will send the boys round.

I'm pleased to say that I have all of the dealer's promises as to what Supagard can supposedly do in writing.

RobinPJ said:

Thanks. The instruction is to start by trying to clean it with soapy water (good old Fairy Liquid.) Now that that has not worked they are going to post me something stronger. If that does not work they will send the boys round.

I'm pleased to say that I have all of the dealer's promises as to what Supagard can supposedly do in writing.

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A key element of the cleaning is extracting the water that goes on the fabric. To much soakage and I would be concerned about longer term foam rot. A bit like carpet and the underlay. If the water penetrates you cannot get the underlay to dry (wouldn't be as bad in a car because the seats are 'off' the ground. Those cleaning solutions that I have in the picture are trade only supply and they ain't cheap !
Forget the fairy liquid it wouldn't do any magic for you !

A good valet guy will be your friend with the houndscloth.
I'm sceptical of the Supagard but then I haven't used it.

Agreed, but having paid for it I intend to use it (and the warranty that accompanies it).

I would not bother again, that's for sure - I'd go the route of banning the kids from eating and taking it out of their pocket money to have the interioe valeted as and when necessary.

RobinPJ said:

Agreed, but having paid for it I intend to use it (and the warranty that accompanies it).

I would not bother again, that's for sure - I'd go the route of banning the kids from eating and taking it out of their pocket money to have the interioe valeted as and when necessary.

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that's a lot of pocket money !

This is where the leather seats are good....child vomited everywhere last week..bit of jif (cif) and all sorted. And no, I don't 'feed' my leather seats....jif and cheap £1 leather wipes and nearly 3 years on still nice looking seats

Oh and no eating in my car unless fruit pouch cus I hate crumbs in my car . That's what daddy's Honda civic is for lol

Heidi said:

This is where the leather seats are good....child vomited everywhere last week..bit of jif (cif) and all sorted. And no, I don't 'feed' my leather seats....jif and cheap £1 leather wipes and nearly 3 years on still nice looking seats

Oh and no eating in my car unless fruit pouch cus I hate crumbs in my car . That's what daddy's Honda civic is for lol

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Sounds like the leather has paid for itself in your car Heidi. At least you're using leather wipes

This is a members car where they have appeared to take drastic measures...
https://www.fiatforum.com/members-motors/230083-meet-mario.html?p=2581071

This crowd do seat covers - clip posted on the US 500 site - it appears the covers they do may fit European cars - an email could be sent from their site requesting information and prices, etc.
http://blackit.it/EN/

Heidi said:

This is where the leather seats are good....child vomited everywhere last week..bit of jif (cif) and all sorted. And no, I don't 'feed' my leather seats....jif and cheap £1 leather wipes and nearly 3 years on still nice looking seats

Oh and no eating in my car unless fruit pouch cus I hate crumbs in my car . That's what daddy's Honda civic is for lol

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You forget to mention that he got the dash from the back seat with his vomit

306maxi said:

You forget to mention that he got the dash from the back seat with his vomit

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Oh yes....was pretty fantastic puking. Luckily he wasxsat behind passenger seat rather than me......good shot son! The worst bit is trying to get him out of seat without allowing puke covered seat belt to roll back inside the housing. I'm an expert at this now lol

Heidi said:

Oh yes....was pretty fantastic puking. Luckily he wasxsat behind passenger seat rather than me......good shot son! The worst bit is trying to get him out of seat without allowing puke covered seat belt to roll back inside the housing. I'm an expert at this now lol

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leave him in the seat?