How to Clean and Save Your Alcantara Interior

Chuck the crevice tool on your vacuum and get into every fold. If you've been out near the mines or driving through the red dust, this stuff sits deep. If you don't vac it first, as soon as you add liquid, you're just making mud.

If you've got a compressor or even a leaf blower, give the Alcantara a quick blast. You'd be surprised how much grit hides in the 'nap' (the fuzzy bit) of the fabric.

Get your buckets and cloths ready. I always keep a 'clean' bucket of plain water just to damp down my cloths.

Don't try and do the whole seat at once. Focus on one bolster or the centre insert. If it dries before you wipe it, you'll get water spots.

Never spray the cleaner directly onto the seat. Spray it onto your soft brush or a microfibre pad first. We want to clean the surface, not soak the foam underneath.

Use light, circular motions. You aren't scrubbing a greasy BBQ plate here; be gentle. You'll see the foam start to turn a bit grey, that's the win.

Take a clean, dry microfibre and press it into the area. Don't rub like crazy. You want to pull the dirt and moisture up into the towel.

If the towel comes away black or brown, repeat the process. On steering wheels, I usually have to do this three times because of all the oils from your skin.

Use a fresh cloth dampened with distilled water to 'rinse' the area. This gets rid of any leftover soap residue which can make the fabric feel stiff once dry.

This is the secret sauce. While the fabric is still slightly damp, take a dry, soft brush and brush everything in one direction. This stops the fibres from drying flat and feeling like cardboard.

Leave the windows down in the garage if you can. Don't use a hair dryer on high heat, you'll melt the synthetic fibres. Trust me, I learned that the hard way on a black Commodore years ago. Not a fun conversation with the owner.