GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic, and painted surfaces with a clean, damp cloth.

GM-approved cleaning products can be obtained from your dealer.

Here are some cleaning tips:

    • Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
    • Clean up stains as soon as you can before they set.
    • Carefully scrape off any excess stain.
    • Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area often. A soft brush may be used if stains are stubborn.
    • To avoid forming a ring on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area immediately or it will set.

Most stains can be removed with club soda water. To clean, use the following instructions:

  1. For liquids: blot with a clean, soft, white cloth. For solids: remove as much as possible and then vacuum or brush.
  2. Apply club soda water to a clean, soft, white cloth. Do not over-saturate; the cloth should not drip water.
  3. Clean the entire area. Avoid getting the fabric too wet.
  4. Start cleaning from the seams into the stain to avoid a ring effect.
  5. Continue cleaning, using a clean area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.
  6. When the stain is removed, blot the cleaned area with another dry, clean, soft, white cloth.

Using Cleaner on Fabric

  1. First, try the cleaner on an area of the fabric that is not easily seen to make sure the cleaner does not affect the color of the fabric.
  2. For liquids: blot with a clean, soft, white cloth. For solids: remove as much as possible and then vacuum or brush.
  3. Spray a small amount of the cleaner onto a clean soft, white, cloth. Do not apply spray directly to the fabric.
  4. Start cleaning from the seams into the stain to avoid a ring effect.
  5. Continue cleaning, using a clean area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.
  6. When the stain is removed, blot the cleaned area with another dry, clean, soft, white cloth.
  7. If the cleaner leaves a ring effect, follow up with the club soda water instructions given earlier in this section.

Special Fabric Cleaning Problems

Stains caused by such things as catsup, black coffee, egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, vomit, urine, and blood can be removed using the club soda water instructions given earlier in this section. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, treat the area with a water and baking soda solution: 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup (250 ml) of lukewarm water. Let dry.

Stains caused by oil and grease can be cleaned with an approved GM cleaner and a clean, white cloth.

  1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
  2. Clean with cool water and allow to dry completely.
  3. If a stain remains, follow the "Using Cleaner on Fabric" instructions described earlier.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment frequently to remove dust and loose dirt. A canister vacuum with a beater bar in the nozzle may only be used on floor carpet and carpeted floor mats. For any soil, always try to remove it first with plain water or club soda. Before cleaning, gently remove as much of the soil as possible using one of the following techniques:

    • For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a paper towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the paper towel until no more can be removed.
    • For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible and then vacuum.

To clean:

  1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with water or club soda.
  2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.
  3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently rub toward the center. Continue cleaning, using a clean area of the cloth each time it becomes soiled.
  4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the cleaning cloth remains clean.
  5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a mild soap solution and repeat the cleaning process that was used with plain water.

If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner or spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a small hidden area for colorfastness first. If the locally cleaned area gives any impression that a ring formation may result, clean the entire surface.

After the cleaning process has been completed, a paper towel can be used to blot excess moisture from the fabric or carpet.