Getting sweat/gel out of a head rest?

I keep my car pretty immaculate. But the other day I noticed my head rest had a 4-6" starburst off hair gel and sweat on it. Looks really bad and I'd like to clean it.

Other than a CG Inner Clean spray I don't have any car shampoo or anything. What is the best way to pull everything out and clean it?

EDIT: It's a cloth head rest.

Thanks

-Emt1581

What product are you using in your hair?

Chef jpd said:

What product are you using in your hair?

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Cheap mega-hold gel from wal-mart.

-Emt1581

Fonz... stop using cheap grease in your hair. Haha.

Have you tried a stain remover like resolve? I would first wash the area with warm water and then spray. Good luck!

probably needs a steam cleaner. I have vinyl seat covers that includes a cover for the head restraint. They are not very good, but they work. I would prefer vinyl / leatherette seats like they offer in the Mazda, or Benz.

I figure we need to know what material the headrest is made of. Cloth or leather. I have the same thing on mine but leather recaro. Wipes right off with warm water on a clean cloth. No chemical.

warm water washing up liquid (fairy if you have it over there?) lots of clean cloths / disposable rags.

water with liquid in it, wipe clean throw away rag, repeat until gone.

Digital_Synapse said:

I figure we need to know what material the headrest is made of. Cloth or leather. I have the same thing on mine but leather recaro. Wipes right off with warm water on a clean cloth. No chemical.

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It's cloth. I think I saw AMMONYC post a vid on how to clean upholstery. Might give that another watch.

I think it's a combination of surface brushing/scrubbing and then using a shop vac to get the liquid out.

-Emt1581

Nothing you can do.
I had the same thing on my FJ Cruiser. The vinyl had a chemical reaction with the oil/product that hardened the vinyl so it shrunk.
I tried steam, soaking in leather conditioner, or even oil.

Update, cloth should be easier. Try a fabric cleaner.

Soul Glo?

Strokerswild said:

Soul Glo?

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:lol:

-Emt1581

Might be easier to buy a new headrest.
Or just a new cloth cover.

Switch to leather, problem solved. :cheers:

The easiest and safest way (FYI, I have done detailing for years, on everything from soccer mom vans to a brand new LaFerrari) is to get a bucket or bowl full of just cooler than boiling water. Take a terry cloth (Not a microfiber, it doesn't work great for this), and get one section of it soaked. Take the towel and lightly scrub. It may take a few passes, but the hot water breaks it down and pulls it out of the fabric.