{"title":"Cleaner for Alcantara steering wheels","description":"\u003ch2 id=\"speakable-headline\"\u003eCleaner for Alcantara steering wheels\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp id=\"speakable-definition\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCleaner for Alcantara steering wheels\u003c\/strong\u003e: Cleaners lift hand marks off the Alcantara steering wheels they're approved for. On a wheel it's the shine from hands, the fibre structure and how the rim feels afterwards that count.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe type of fibre has a say too; Alcantara doesn't automatically take every upholstery cleaner.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarareiniger-textilreiniger","title":"XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner Textile Cleaner","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDeep-clean fabric seats, Alcantara and headliners — SONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat can the SONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner do? This foaming cleaner with enzymatic odour control pulls dirt and smells deep out of upholstery, Alcantara, headliners and carpet — without soaking the fabric or leaving rings.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUpholstery and Alcantara inside the car take a daily beating: seat wear, food spills, sweat residue, pet hair and trapped smells build up in the fibres over months, and a quick vacuum on its own won't get all of it out. What you need is a cleaner that works deep into the fibre structure, breaks dirt down chemically, and at the same time neutralises smells for good — not just masks them. That's exactly what the \u003cstrong\u003eSONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner\u003c\/strong\u003e does: a foaming cleaner with enzymatic odour control for every textile surface in the cabin. The 400 ml aerosol can keeps the job simple, and the foam technology gives you a gentle, deep clean without soaking the upholstery through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoam technology for a deep clean without soaking the fabric.\u003c\/strong\u003e The fine-pored foam works deep into the fibre structure, lifts embedded dirt and is then brushed out or picked up with a cloth — without overwetting the upholstery. Less moisture means faster drying and no risk of mould if the car isn't well aired.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnzymatic odour control gets rid of smells for good.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cigarette smoke, pet smells, food odours and sweat aren't just a dirt problem — they're a chemical one: the odour molecules are lodged in the fibres and you can't get rid of them by covering them up. The enzymatic formula breaks down the molecular structure of the substances causing the smell — so you end up with lasting freshness instead of a quick spritz of fragrance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe on Alcantara, no greying or fibre damage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Alcantara reacts badly to the wrong products — anything too harsh can mat the fibres, cause discolouration or kill that soft feel for good. The XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner formula is approved for Alcantara and won't change the fibres when you use it properly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote class=\"praxistipp\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetailing1's tip from the shop:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vacuum the area thoroughly before you start — foam cleaners work better on a surface that's already roughly clean, because they're meant to sink into the fibres, not into loose grit. Always do a whole connected area in one go — the entire seat panel in a single pass, never just the one stain. That keeps drying rings from forming at the edges. After cleaning with a brush or cloth, vacuum the area dry, then leave it to dry with the doors open.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFoam cleaner technology — why foam beats liquid cleaners on upholstery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoosing between a spray liquid and a foam isn't a trivial call on upholstery cleaners. Liquid cleaners flow easily — they sink deep into the upholstery, which on one hand gives you a thorough clean, but on the other brings the risk of soaking the fabric through: seats that take on too much moisture need long drying times and can encourage mould in the foam padding if they don't dry properly. Foam has a controlled viscosity: it clings to the surface and works into the fibre structure without saturating the material. The cleaning agents in it spread evenly through the foam structure and act right where the dirt sits, on the fibre surface. After the dwell time you work the foam out mechanically with a soft brush or a microfibre cloth, and it carries the loosened dirt with it. The result: a more thorough clean with less moisture. For a cabin you want back in use as soon as possible after cleaning, that's a real practical edge. One more thing: foam is easier to apply to vertical and sloped surfaces than liquid cleaners, which would run straight off. That makes the job easier and lower-risk on seat bolsters, door cards and headliners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe enzymatic side works hand in hand with the mechanical foam cleaning: enzymes are biological catalysts that break down organic substances like proteins (sweat, food residue), fats and odour molecules at the molecular level. That's why enzymatic cleaners work on smells for good — they take out the cause, not the symptom. Compared to purely fragranced interior cleaners that just mask smells, the enzymatic action is far more lasting: the smell doesn't come back, because the molecules causing it are no longer there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFoam technology also has a safety edge: spraying doesn't throw out coarse droplets that can get in your eyes — the fine foam stays on the surface and doesn't run off where it shouldn't. That makes the job safer and cleaner in the tight cabin than spray liquids. For interior work where you're up close to the surface, that's an everyday point that matters. There's an economic side too: foam goes further than liquid because it bulks up its volume with air and spreads the cleaning agent evenly across the surface without saturating it. A 400 ml can lasts for several full seat cleans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne more thing that matters day-to-day: anyone who runs the car with pets knows how stubbornly animal and food smells cling to upholstery. The odour molecules are adsorbed by the fibres and settle deep inside the padding — a surface freshen-up with a fragrance spray masks the smell for a bit but doesn't get rid of it. Enzymatic cleaners are the only lasting fix here, because they break down the proteins causing the smell. For dog owners and families with small kids, reaching for an enzymatic foam cleaner regularly is less a luxury than a must for a cabin that stays fresh. Especially in the warmer months, when temperatures in a parked car ramp up smell development, a regular upholstery clean really pays off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to use the XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner properly\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow you go about it makes the difference. Start by vacuuming the area thoroughly — a brush attachment lifts surface dust and hair that would otherwise block the foam from reaching deep. Then spray the foam evenly over the surface and work it straight in with a soft upholstery brush or microfibre cloth in circular motions. The foam should visibly froth up and pick up dirt. Important: always do the whole connected area in one pass — half a seat and a stop leaves visible drying rings at the line between cleaned and uncleaned fabric. After a dwell time of 1–3 minutes, lift the foam with a clean cloth or pick it up with a vacuum. On heavily soiled upholstery a second round may be needed. Then leave the area to dry with the windows or doors open — a small fan can cut drying time to under an hour. On Alcantara: use a very soft brush and work with the grain of the fibres, not against it — that stops greying and keeps the soft texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeadliners call for extra care: too much moisture can loosen the adhesive on the trim and cause it to sag. Apply the foam sparingly here, don't let it dwell long, and wipe with only light pressure. A vacuum straight after helps cut the moisture quickly. On badly loosened or yellowed headliners, professional reconditioning is the way to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn often underrated use is cleaning the footwell carpet. Floor mats and carpets in the car pick up dirt, sand, road salt in winter and moisture off shoes over months — and carry all that straight into the carpet fibres. Foam works great here too: the carpet doesn't get soaked, the foam works near the surface in the fibre. After brushing it out, pick it up with a carpet or upholstery attachment on the vacuum. For stubbornly dirty footwells a second pass may be needed. If you've pulled the mats out, you can clean them even more effectively — foam them on a plastic sheet or tarp outside, brush them in, rinse with a little water and leave to dry in the shade. The result is far better than cleaning them in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere it works — the materials and situations it suits best\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner is built for every textile and Alcantara surface in the cabin: fabric seats and upholstery, Alcantara seat bolsters and steering wheel covers, headliners, carpets and door cards with a textile section. Especially good on dirt from coffee, cola, chocolate, denim rub-off, pet hair and skin oils. The enzymatic odour control makes it particularly valuable on cars shared with pets, used cars with smoke smell baked in, or cars that regularly haul food. What it can't do: deep oil stains, paint and similar inorganic substances — those need dedicated solvent cleaners. Use a separate leather cleaner on leather surfaces; the Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner isn't meant for smooth leather. On velour and similar velvety surfaces, test on a hidden spot first, as these materials can sometimes react more sensitively to foam cleaners than standard upholstery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother use worth flagging is the seasonal clean after winter. Salt and grit off wet winter shoes settle in the carpet and the lowest layers of the upholstery and can attack the material over time. A thorough spring clean with the upholstery cleaner takes out that residue before it does any lasting damage. At the same time, it neutralises the winter smells that crept in — damp clothes, heater air, dog paws. That makes a spring interior clean one of the most effective steps for a fresh cabin across the whole season. If you do a full interior clean twice a year — spring and autumn — you keep upholstery and materials in a state that means a deep recondition is needed less often.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCompared — XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner vs. Stain Remover vs. propellant-free cleaner\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SONAX XTREME range has three upholstery cleaner products, each with a different focus. The \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarafleckentferner-polsterreiniger\"\u003eXTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Stain Remover\u003c\/a\u003e is a spot cleaner for tackling single stains — you apply it straight to the stain and can use it without cleaning the whole surface. Ideal for fresh stains or as a first treatment in the car. The SONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner, on the other hand, is built for whole-surface cleaning — for when you want to clean the entire seat panel or a larger area. The \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarareiniger-treibgasfrei-polsterreiniger\"\u003eXTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner (propellant-free)\u003c\/a\u003e is the alternative without aerosol propellant, with the same cleaning effect. If you'd rather skip aerosol products or work in closed spaces without good ventilation, reach for the propellant-free version. The cleaning effect is comparable. So the choice comes down to the situation: single stain → Stain Remover; whole-surface clean with aerosol → this textile cleaner; whole-surface clean without propellant → propellant-free version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA smart combo in the detailing workflow is to use both products: first spot-treat fresh or stubborn single stains with the Stain Remover, then freshen the whole surface evenly with the textile cleaner. That saves time, because you don't have to concentrate the foam cleaner on spot-treated areas, and it gives an even result across the whole seat panel with no visible difference between treated and untreated zones. Pro detailers run exactly this two-step method day-to-day and get the best results on upholstery work with it. As a final step after drying, an impregnation spray for upholstery and textiles is worth it — it builds a protective layer that repels new dirt and makes the next clean far easier. That full interior routine — clean, neutralise smells, then impregnate — is the optimum for car textiles that stay fresh long-term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBuying advice — when this textile cleaner is the right call\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner is for anyone who wants to clean the cabin regularly and thoroughly — whether as part of a seasonal interior clean, after buying a used car, or after heavy use with family, pets or regular food runs. The 400 ml aerosol can lasts for several full interior cleans. The \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/sonax-xtreme-autoinnenreiniger-innenraumreiniger\"\u003eXTREME Interior Cleaner\u003c\/a\u003e combo — hard\/universal for plastics and soft\/textile for upholstery — covers the whole cabin in one care workflow. For pro detailers doing used-car preps daily, it's a solid standard tool for interior reconditioning. The simple aerosol application lets you work fast, and the reliable odour control solves one of the most common customer gripes on used cars. Next time you're stood in front of a car with a worn cabin that smells of old fabric and smoke, reach for the Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner — and see what a good enzymatic foam cleaner can do for an interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor detailers upgrading used cars: cleaning the interior with a quality foam cleaner is often the single most noticeable step in a used-car prep — customers spot straight away whether a cabin smells fresh and looks clean. That has a big effect on a car's perceived value. With a product like this that works reliably and delivers results in a short time, interior reconditioning isn't just a box to tick but a real quality marker that makes the difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBottom line: the textile cleaner is the right call for anyone who wants to deep-clean a whole car interior rather than just treat single stains. The mix of foam technology, enzymatic odour control and Alcantara compatibility makes it the all-rounder for interior cleaning. Once you've seen how a freshly cleaned cabin changes the drive, you won't want to skip a regular upholstery clean again. The 400 ml size is good for 2–4 full interior treatments — depending on the car and how dirty it is. For regular pro work, buying in bigger quantity pays off, so you've always got fresh stock on hand and avoid breaks in the detailing workflow. The aerosol can is easy to store and stays on hand for the next interior clean. Kept cool and dry, the product holds its full effectiveness for a long time — another edge over liquid cleaners, which can lose effect faster once opened.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SONAX","offers":[{"title":"400 ml","offer_id":49160877179215,"sku":"D1-SNX-206300","price":10.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/Sonax-XTREME-Polster-AlcantaraReiniger-8.png?v=1721514200"},{"product_id":"dr-wack-a1-polster-alcantara-reiniger-pro-textilreiniger","title":"A1 \"Polster-\/Alcantara Reiniger\" (Pro) Textile Cleaner","description":"\u003ch2 id=\"speakable-headline\"\u003eA1 \"Polster-\/Alcantara Reiniger\" pulls stains out of the pile without leaving rings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote id=\"speakable-summary\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat is the A1 \"Polster-\/Alcantara Reiniger\" (Pro)? An aerosol foam from Dr. Wack for fabric upholstery, velour, Alcantara, carpet, vinyl trim and the headliner that breaks stains loose inside the weave and takes odours apart instead of covering them up. Not meant for pigmented smooth leather, and not for liquid that has run all the way down into the seat foam.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp id=\"speakable-definition\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA1 \"Polster-\/Alcantara Reiniger\" (Pro)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a textile cleaner from Dr. Wack that comes out of a 400 ml can as a foam and lifts the dirt inside the pile instead of flushing it down into the seat. Alcantara is no special case borrowed from leather care here. It is a microfibre non-woven made of polyester and polyurethane, so textile, and it gets treated exactly that way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe foam works with three building blocks at once. Anionic surfactants grab grease and skin flakes. Polycarboxylates hold the loosened dirt in suspension so it does not settle straight back in. And enzymes cut the protein residue from milk, coffee or blood into fragments no bacterium can do anything with. For you that means the smell goes because its source has been taken apart, not because a fragrance is lying over it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHow little water is involved comes out in one unremarkable line of the safety data sheet from Baar-Ebenhausen. Next to the heading pH value stands a single word: none. A pH value assumes a water-based solution, and there is none here, the actives travel in a mix of solvent and propellant. So the can itself brings almost no moisture with it. That comes from your towel. Which puts it in your hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTest winner with 288 out of 300 points.\u003c\/strong\u003e In 2022 AUTO BILD and the KÜS set ten upholstery cleaners on eight standardised soilings in the lab, from coffee and cocoa through dressing and egg yolk to blood and an oil-and-soot mix. The Polster-\/Alcantara Reiniger won with a grade of 1.1 and the tester's note that it leaves no stains behind. In 2025 the same thing happened at Taxi heute against five rivals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOdour out, not odour over the top.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dr. Wack names spilt milk as the hard case itself, and the stink does not come from the milk, it comes from what bacteria make of its protein. The enzymes in the foam take their food supply away. After up to 5 minutes of dwell time you pick up both with the towel, the stain and the cause behind it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFive material groups out of one can.\u003c\/strong\u003e Approved are fabric upholstery and velour, Alcantara, carpet and floor mats, door and side trim with vinyl covering, plus the headliner. The headliner in particular is more than a footnote. It is glued, and too much liquid loosens the adhesive before it loosens the stain. A foam that stays up on top is the only sensible format there.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote class=\"praxistipp\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetailing1's tip from the shop:\u003c\/strong\u003e We get a lot of questions about stains that are back once everything has dried. Usually the cleaning was right and the drying was wrong. Under the cover sits a block of seat foam that stores moisture and hands it back upwards as it dries, along with whatever is still in it. The counter-move is on no label: at the end, lay a dry white cotton towel on the spot, weigh it down with a book and leave it there for 20 to 30 minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe ring comes from the towel, not from the can\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA water ring does not form while you spray, it forms while it dries, on the border between damp and dry, where the last of the moisture dumps the dirt it was carrying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAny paper napkin with a coffee stain on it proves the point. The edge is darker than the middle, because as the liquid evaporates it runs outwards and drops everything it dissolved where it disappears last. The same thing happens in upholstery. So you wipe from the outer edge of the damp patch towards the middle, instead of leaving that edge as the last wet spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe run-up to that is short. Vacuum the loose stuff out so no sand gets rubbed into the weave. Shake the can hard. Spray the dirty area evenly and let it soak in for up to 5 minutes. Then work with a damp microfibre or terry towel and firm pressure, turning the towel several times and rinsing it out. A saturated towel has stopped cleaning, it is only moving dirt around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end, wipe damp until no more foam forms, then go over it once dry. That step looks cosmetic and is not. Surfactants left in the weave are wetting agents, they pull in moisture and dust, and the spot then dirties up again faster than it did before. A flat, overlocked \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/dr-wack-a1-all-in-one-mikrofasertuch-mikrofasertuch\"\u003emicrofibre towel\u003c\/a\u003e shears through the pile better than a high-pile one, which mostly just soaks the foam up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo things are on no label. A can that has stood out in the cold overnight sprays coarse and dripping wet, because the internal pressure drops with the temperature, so let it come up to room temperature first. And work with the doors open: whatever moisture you put in has to be able to get back out of the cabin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/dr-wack-a1-polster-alcantara-reiniger-pro-textilreiniger_anwendung.jpg?v=1787867876\u0026amp;width=1400\" alt=\"A1 Polster-\/Alcantara Reiniger Pro being sprayed evenly across the Alcantara seat cushion\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:4px;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat sits in the seat foam, the foam cleaner will not get out\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cleaner works in the pile and the top few millimetres of the weave, it goes no deeper, and whatever has run through into the seat foam stays there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn fresh and part-dried stains this is still exactly where it lives. The eight test soilings at AUTO BILD were the everyday programme: coffee, cocoa, dressing, egg yolk, porridge with chocolate, plus blood and an oil-and-soot mix. The testers recorded that no stain was left behind once everything had dried.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat testing ran in a lab on standardised panels, though, and not on a seat bolster with six years of skin grease in it. If you are hunting for real-world reports, know the difference: a grade tells you how well the chemistry works under identical conditions. How many passes your seat needs, it does not tell you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first limit is volume. The cup of coffee that went right down into the cushion is sitting in the foam core, and the trade calls its route back to the surface wicking. The only thing that helps there is spray extraction, a wet vac that puts water in and pulls it straight back out in the same pass. Stain means can. Soaked through means wet vac.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe second limit is the material. This foam has no business on pigmented smooth leather, because leather gets cleaned through its top coat, with little moisture and without the firm pressure Dr. Wack explicitly asks for here. The third limit the testers name themselves: the dwell time is long for an aerosol cleaner. If you want a floor mat done in two minutes, you have picked the wrong product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn a full interior the maths tips over as well. Four seats, door cards and floor mats in one go are the wrong job for a 400 ml can. Then a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/koch-chemie-colourlock-pol-star-reinigerkonzentrat-textil-leder-alcantara\"\u003ecleaner concentrate for textile and Alcantara\u003c\/a\u003e is the more sensible pick, because you dilute it and get many times the working solution out of the same bottle size. In that same AUTO BILD test it was this concentrate that took the value-for-money win, while the test win went to the can.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAlcantara asks for cleaning more often than leather, not less\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlcantara never sits on the boot bulkhead in a car, it sits on the surfaces your hands touch most: seat bolsters, steering wheel rim, gear surround, centre console, and on sports models the headliner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLeather has a closed top coat, so skin grease stays on top of it and comes away with a damp cloth. The pile of a microfibre non-woven is open. Grease runs down between the fibres, sticks them together and lays them flat against the surface. The light then comes back in one direction instead of scattering, and the spot picks up that familiar greasy sheen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThat is also where the colour-refreshing effect Dr. Wack talks about sits. No dye is being added. The cleaner takes the grease out from between the fibres, brushing lifts the pile back up and it scatters the light like it did on day one. The colour was never gone, it was lying flat. So once everything is properly dry, brush the pile through in one direction with a soft brush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne caveat belongs with that. Sheen from grease comes off, sheen from fibres crushed flat does not. Scrub back and forth soaking wet and at full force and you felt the pile mechanically, and no cleaner brings that back. That is why the manufacturer says pressure and not speed: short, directed strokes with weight behind them, no circles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you only want to keep floor mats and the boot carpet clean, a simpler \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/textilreiniger\"\u003etextile cleaner\u003c\/a\u003e gets you just as far. The extra you pay for this can pays off on Alcantara, light velour and the headliner, not on black needle felt in the footwell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe last point belongs to drying, because that is where the most expensive mistake happens. A seat that is damp in the evening and stands overnight in a closed car smells musty two days later. So exactly the thing you bought the product to deal with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePut the upholstery job on a day when the car can stand open for a few hours afterwards, and only put the floor mats back once they are dry through. Laid back in damp, the mat dries on top and keeps the carpet underneath wet for days. That is the source of the classic old-car smell, which most people pin on the year of manufacture rather than on the last clean.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dr. Wack \"A1\"","offers":[{"title":"400 ml","offer_id":54707194134863,"sku":"D1-DRW-2791","price":16.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/dr-wack-a1-polster-alcantara-reiniger-pro-textilreiniger.png?v=1787867319"},{"product_id":"koch-chemie-colourlock-pol-star-reinigerkonzentrat-textil-leder-alcantara","title":"COLOURLOCK \"Pol Star\" cleaner concentrate for fabric, leather \u0026 Alcantara","description":"\u003ch2 id=\"speakable-headline\"\u003eCOLOURLOCK Pol Star cleans fabric, leather and Alcantara from one bottle\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote id=\"speakable-summary\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat is COLOURLOCK Pol Star? A pH-neutral cleaner concentrate from Koch-Chemie and COLOURLOCK for fabric, Alcantara and pigmented smooth leather, dosed 1:5 to 1:20. Not for aniline leathers or open-pore types like nubuck or suede.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp id=\"speakable-definition\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOLOURLOCK Pol Star\u003c\/strong\u003e is a cleaner concentrate from Koch-Chemie and COLOURLOCK for interior dirt across three material groups: upholstery fabric, Alcantara and pigmented smooth leather. Since Koch-Chemie took over leather specialist COLOURLOCK in 2025, the classic Pol Star carries over with the same formula under the new label.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSame chemistry, new branding: the leather know-how now lives in the product name, but production stays at Koch-Chemie in Unna. If you knew the old Pol Star Po, you're getting the same formulation here — just as a more economical concentrate rather than ready-to-use. The 1-litre bottle gives you around 11 litres of working solution at 1:10, which puts the per-use cost below any comparable pre-mixed interior cleaner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/d1_koch-chemie-colourlock-pol-star-reinigerkonzentrat-textil-leder-alcantara_hero.png?v=1776185413\" alt=\"COLOURLOCK Pol Star cleaner concentrate on workshop trolley next to BMW M3 interior\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree materials, one bottle.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pol Star pulls dirt off textile fabrics, Alcantara and pigmented smooth leather. pH 7, no acids or alkalis, no bleach. Day-to-day that means one cleaner for seat, carpet and door card instead of three separate bottles on the shelf.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1:5 to 1:20 dilution, 1 litre makes up to 21 litres of ready solution.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1:10 the working solution comes in around 94 cents per litre — the ready-to-use predecessor Pol Star Po sits at 8.63 EUR per litre. For shops, detailers and regular interior cleaning, the concentrate is what makes the difference.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConserver protects existing impregnations.\u003c\/strong\u003e The formula carries a protective component that doesn't attack hydrophobic treatments. Fabric coatings like GYEON Q²M Fabric or factory upholstery impregnations stay intact after cleaning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote class=\"praxistipp\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetailing1's tip from the shop:\u003c\/strong\u003e The most common mistake is going too strong on the dilution. A lot of detailers start at 1:5 — but the stronger mix leaves surfactant residue that dries as pale rings. Start at 1:10 and only step up to 1:5 if the dirt won't come out on the first pass. On leather you stay at 1:20, full stop. Use distilled water — tap water brings limescale rings with it, particularly nasty on dark Alcantara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e1:10 as standard. 1:20 on leather.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePol Star gets dosed differently depending on material and dirt level. 1:10 is the all-round ratio for fabric and Alcantara at normal soiling — a 500 ml spray bottle then takes 45 ml of concentrate and 455 ml of distilled water. Vacuum thoroughly before cleaning so loose dirt doesn't get into the solution and pull streaks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor embedded stains on carpet or footwell, drop to 1:5. On leather you stay at 1:20, because the top coat can react to higher surfactant levels with a loss of sheen. The conserver in the formula protects existing impregnations but doesn't replace a sealant after cleaning — if you want to rebuild a fabric impregnation, lay it down separately once everything is fully dry. Dwell time runs 30 to 60 seconds; longer doesn't give you more cleaning, because the surfactant action hits its plateau by then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou apply with a fine-mist sprayer, not directly with the cloth. The fine foam needs air to work into the fibre — too much liquid floods the fabric and drags the drying time out to 12 hours. To lift it off, grab a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/the-collection-mikrofasertuecher-allround-coating-300-kurzfloriges-edgeless-mikrofasertuch-300-gsm\"\u003eshort-pile microfibre cloth\u003c\/a\u003e or a wet-dry vacuum for larger upholstery work. On Alcantara, work along the fibre direction — never circular, otherwise the surface mats up visually and looks duller than before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAfter cleaning, wipe down or extract with clean water so no surfactant residue stays behind. Leftovers would act as a dust magnet and re-soil the surface faster. Work at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees — in sun or heat the concentrate flashes off too fast and leaves rings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/d1_koch-chemie-colourlock-pol-star-reinigerkonzentrat-textil-leder-alcantara_anwendung_2887a60b-7120-4b56-8839-5f9adb7e9e97.png?v=1776185956\" alt=\"Pol Star diluted 1:10 sprayed onto Alcantara seat from iK Multi spray bottle\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePol Star handles three materials. Two leather types it doesn't.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePol Star is approved for pigmented, top-coated smooth leather — that's most modern automotive leather from year 2000 onwards. The top coat insulates the cleaner from the collagen, so the surfactants pull dirt off without working into the material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn open-pore leathers it behaves differently. Aniline, semi-aniline and nubuck have no protective pigment layer — the concentrate goes straight into the fibre and can cause staining or discolouration. For those materials, the specific Aniline \u0026 Nubuck Cleaner from the same COLOURLOCK range is the right call, formulated for exactly that case. Suede and velour fall into this category too and need a dry or enzymatic approach instead of a surfactant solution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBefore every leather job, test colourfastness on a hidden spot: wet a cotton swab with 1:20 solution, hold it on the test patch for 30 seconds, check for colour transfer. If the swab picks up colour, the leather isn't a fit for Pol Star. The manufacturer doesn't put this front and centre — but it saves you expensive mistakes, because discoloured leather usually only comes back with a full re-dye. For heavily soiled pigmented leather with embedded skin oil, go to the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/koch-chemie-colourlock-leather-cleaner-strong-lederreiniger\"\u003eCOLOURLOCK Leather Cleaner Strong\u003c\/a\u003e. If you're cleaning all materials in the interior regularly, grab Pol Star. If you're specifically reconditioning soiled leather, grab the specialist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/d1_koch-chemie-colourlock-pol-star-reinigerkonzentrat-textil-leder-alcantara_ergebnis.png?v=1776185960\" alt=\"Clean Alcantara seat after COLOURLOCK Pol Star clean with iK spray bottle in background\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFor detailers, shops and weekend enthusiasts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePol Star fits where interior gets cleaned regularly and a concentrate makes more sense than ready-to-use sprays. Detailing shops run the 1-litre bottle and decant into their own sprayers; private users start with the 100 ml or 250 ml size for one to two cars a year. The 1-litre at 1:10 covers around 20 full interior cleans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNot the right pick if you're only doing leather — for that, the COLOURLOCK range has the dedicated Leather Cleaner in Mild and Strong grades, tuned to dirt level and leather type. It also hits limits with dried-in stains older than a week or organic spills like milk, blood or vomit — for those, enzyme cleaners work more reliably, because they break protein bonds instead of just lifting them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn the workflow side: as a concentrate, you need a proper fine-mist spray head. The \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/koch-chemie-spruehkopf-spruehflasche-set\"\u003eKoch-Chemie sprayer and bottle set\u003c\/a\u003e is built for it — the Canyon CHS-3AN throws an even mist that supports fine foam build-up instead of flooding the surface. Once you're set up, a full interior clean runs 40 to 60 ml of concentrate — that's the practical gap between concentrate and ready-mix. If you run the concentrate in a shop setting, follow up with a wet-dry vacuum after cleaning to pull residual moisture out and avoid drying rings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/d1_koch-chemie-colourlock-pol-star-reinigerkonzentrat-textil-leder-alcantara_lineup.png?v=1776185429\" alt=\"COLOURLOCK Pol Star in three sizes 100 ml 250 ml 1 litre on paving stone\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Koch-Chemie × COLOURLOCK","offers":[{"title":"1000 ml \/ 1 liter","offer_id":56541767369039,"sku":"D1-KCX-619-1L-01","price":9.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"250ml","offer_id":56541771432271,"sku":"D1-KCX-619-250ML-01","price":5.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"100ml","offer_id":56541767401807,"sku":"D1-KCX-619-100ML-01","price":5.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 liters","offer_id":57635624288591,"sku":"D1-KCX-619-5L-01","price":43.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/koch-chemie-colourlock-pol-star-reinigerkonzentrat-textil-leder-alcantara.png?v=1779136128"},{"product_id":"sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarafleckentferner-polsterreiniger","title":"XTREME Polster+AlcantaraFleckEntferner Upholstery Cleaner","description":"\u003ch2\u003eTarget stains on upholstery and Alcantara — SONAX XTREME Polster+AlcantaraFleckEntferner\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat does the SONAX XTREME Polster+AlcantaraFleckEntferner do? It lifts stubborn stains from fabric and Alcantara seats right where they sit — no bleach rings, no foam, no residue, for a clean interior finish.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCoffee spilled on the passenger seat, a smear of barbecue soot on the back bench, a bottle that leaked onto Alcantara trim — the kind of mishaps a normal interior cleaner rarely sorts out without leaving a mark. The \u003cstrong\u003eSONAX XTREME Polster+AlcantaraFleckEntferner\u003c\/strong\u003e is built for exactly these moments: a stain remover that goes straight at the dirty spot, cleans deep into the fibres and leaves no lightened patches or tide lines behind. The formula is tuned for the touchy surface of Alcantara — a material that standard cleaners can wreck in no time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTargeted stain removal with no rings left behind.\u003c\/strong\u003e The hardest part of cleaning upholstery isn't lifting the stain itself — it's not leaving a fresh ring from the cleaner. This formula is built so you can blot it back out completely after wiping, without those tell-tale circular marks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe on Alcantara — one of the fussiest materials in any cabin.\u003c\/strong\u003e Alcantara reacts badly to harsh cleaners: the synthetic microfibre can clump, harden or lose its signature velvety nap. The FleckEntferner is gentle on the fibre structure and is cleared specifically for Alcantara trim, steering wheels and seats.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick to reach for on fresh stains — before they dry in.\u003c\/strong\u003e With upholstery, the rule is simple: the sooner, the better. The 300 ml bottle is compact enough for the glovebox or a boot cubby, so you've always got it within arm's reach when something goes wrong, before it sets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote class=\"praxistipp\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay-to-day from Detailing1:\u003c\/strong\u003e On fresh stains, move straight away: spray the product onto a clean, light-coloured microfibre cloth — never straight onto the surface. Blot the spot from the outside in, so you don't rub the stain around and spread it. Finish by dabbing with a dry cloth and let it dry. On Alcantara, never rub into the fibre — just blot and wipe lightly along the nap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe upholstery-cleaner formula up close — why not every cleaner suits Alcantara\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore we get into the technical side: plenty of car owners underrate the gap between an all-purpose cleaner and a dedicated upholstery cleaner. A household cleaner might do a cracking job on hard surfaces, yet do the exact opposite on Alcantara fibres. The catch sits in the pH value and the surfactant mix: harsh alkaline cleaners swell the microfibre, attack the fibre surface and leave a hardened, dull texture once dry. That's what once gave Alcantara its reputation as 'high-maintenance' with a lot of people. With the right product it's no bother at all — but you do need to know what you're doing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlcantara is no ordinary textile. It's a premium synthetic microfibre that mimics suede in look and feel, while being easier to care for and more resistant to moisture. Still, Alcantara has an Achilles heel: the microfibre structure is sensitive to cleaners that are too alkaline or too heavy on surfactants. The wrong cleaner can glue the fine fibres together, flatten that velvety nap and make patchy areas stand out even more. That's why it's crucial to use a cleaner spelled out for Alcantara. The mechanical side matters too: while scrubbing with a cloth is standard on hard surfaces, the same treatment on Alcantara would change the fibre structure for good. The interplay of cleaner chemistry and gentle mechanics is the real secret to getting it right. The FleckEntferner is designed for exactly this brief: pH-neutral enough to keep the fibre structure intact, but strong enough to break down organic stains like coffee, cola, ketchup or blood chemically. The active ingredients are picked so they leave no reactive residue once dry — no white haze, no hard crusts, no discolouration. On normal fabric seats it works just as reliably: it sinks into the upholstery fibre, lifts the dirt particles and then blots back out cleanly. Another plus: the formula is low-foaming, which makes wiping far easier and stops cleaning residue from staying buried deep in the upholstery. If you keep finding stubborn white foam in the pile after cleaning, you've worked with the wrong cleaner. That slip often means the upholstery looks visibly stained again once dry — a problem that shouldn't crop up when the FleckEntferner is used properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTreating upholstery stains the right way — step by step\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne question that lands in our inbox at Detailing1 on the regular: can I use the FleckEntferner preventively, so put it on spots that aren't dirty yet? Short answer: no, that makes no sense. Preventive protection against stains comes from impregnations and coating products — the FleckEntferner is a reactive agent, not a protective film. It only kicks in once a stain is actually there. For preventive Alcantara protection, it's worth a look at textile impregnations, which go on after cleaning and make it harder for future stains to sink into the fibre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing the FleckEntferner sounds simple, but there are a few finer points that make or break the result. Step one: check what kind of stain you're dealing with. Fresh stains from drinks, food or dirt are the easiest to treat. Dried, baked-in stains sometimes need a second pass or a short dwell time. Step two: take off the excess first. If there's soil or solid residue sitting on the upholstery, lift it off with a spoon or spatula before you apply the cleaner. Blot liquids with a dry cloth first to cut down the amount. Step three: put the FleckEntferner onto a microfibre cloth — never spray straight on if you want to work with precision. That stops the cleaner from spreading past the actual stain and needlessly soaking the area around it. Step four: blot from the outside in. With stains on upholstery, rubbing is the number one reason a stain gets bigger. Gentle blotting pulls the dirt out of the fibre in a controlled way. Step five: let it dry. The upholstery needs time to dry after treatment — depending on the material and room temperature, that can be anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Only once it's fully dry can you judge the final result. Really stubborn stains may need a repeat. But always wait for the spot to dry fully before the second pass, so you don't accidentally soften wet fibres further and put the material under strain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExtra important when working on Alcantara steering wheels: the wheel gets touched every day and soils up again fast. The most effective approach is a mix of regular care with a microfibre cloth for light build-up and the targeted use of the FleckEntferner for heavier grime. That keeps the wheel in good shape long-term, without loading the fibre structure through too-frequent chemical treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to use it — more than just seats\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA topic that keeps causing uncertainty is use on light-coloured upholstery. Light grey, beige or cream seats react more touchily to careless cleaning than black surfaces, because every bit of residue shows up straight away. On pale Alcantara tones we always suggest testing the cleaner first on an out-of-sight spot — the back edge of the seat under the base, say. That way you make sure the formula causes no discolouration or lightening. In practice, with the right technique, users report very good results even on pale Alcantara tones, but a quick spot-test is always the safer call on premium interiors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SONAX XTREME Polster+AlcantaraFleckEntferner isn't limited to seats. Alcantara turns up in loads of places in modern cars: upper dashboards, door cards, sun visors, A-pillar trims, headliners in premium cars and above all steering wheels. Alcantara wheels in particular are very prone to grime rubbing off from hands, creams, sweat and gloves. They need regular care so the material doesn't mat down or go grey. The FleckEntferner suits all these surfaces — always on the condition that you work with blotting motions and don't rub. On fabric headliners, take care too: applied too heavily, the foam can seep into the adhesive behind the trim and, over time, pull it loose. Sparing use and precise work are what count here. For large-area deep cleans of the whole interior, the FleckEntferner isn't the first pick — there are more specialised interior cleaners for that. The product is optimised for targeted stain removal, not surface coverage. If you want to cover both jobs, the smart move is a combined workflow: first pre-treat the area with the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/sonax-xtreme-autoinnenreiniger-innenraumreiniger\"\u003eXTREME Auto-Innen-Reiniger\u003c\/a\u003e, then work stubborn single stains with the FleckEntferner right on the spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eUpholstery-cleaner comparison — FleckEntferner vs. Polster+AlcantaraReiniger\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor anyone who likes the full picture: the SONAX XTREME upholstery and interior range covers different cleaning jobs that clearly stand apart from one another. Spot cleaner, area deep-cleaner, certified alternatives and deep cleaners — each product has its sweet spot. Once you know all the variants, you make the right call for the job at hand without experimenting on the car.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin the SONAX XTREME upholstery and interior range there are clear differences between the products — and drawing the line matters, so you pick the right agent for the right job. This one is built as a spot cleaner: it goes after a single stain without soaking the whole surface or cleaning wide areas. The \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarareiniger-treibgasfrei-polsterreiniger\"\u003eXTREME Polster+AlcantaraReiniger (Treibgasfrei)\u003c\/a\u003e, on the other hand, is made for area-wide deep cleaning: foam it on across the surface, work it in, extract. It delivers a deep clean across the whole seat face or door card. The \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarareiniger-textilreiniger\"\u003eXTREME Polster+AlcantaraReiniger Textilreiniger\u003c\/a\u003e variant rounds out this line-up as a foam-heavy deep cleaner for badly soiled upholstery. The result of combining them is more than the sum of the parts: a deep clean on its own gets upholstery clean, but one leftover stubborn stain stands out even more afterwards. Working that spot with the spot cleaner gets you the fully even clean that convinces at handover or resale. So if you've got a fresh coffee stain on the passenger seat, you reach for the FleckEntferner. If you want to give all the seats a proper clean after winter, you reach for the area cleaner. The two approaches don't rule each other out — often the combination gives the best result: first clean the coarse dirt out across the surface, then treat individual problem spots on target. What both products share: they're cleared for Alcantara, which is far from true of every upholstery cleaner on the market. That's no trivial detail — it's a genuine quality marker that SONAX deliberately flags, and it saves users from costly wrong turns. A damaged Alcantara cover can't simply be freshened up; a replacement is expensive and involved. So it pays to work with the right product from the start, rather than repairing damage after the fact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBuying advice — when the FleckEntferner really pays off\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnyone who drives or looks after a car with an Alcantara interior should keep the SONAX XTREME Polster+AlcantaraFleckEntferner within reach as a matter of course — in the glovebox, in the boot or in the detailing cabinet. The product is compact, cheap and covers a job where the wrong product can do lasting damage. For families with kids who regularly eat and drink in the car, a stain remover for upholstery is a must-have anyway. The SONAX FleckEntferner wins here on ease of use: no extractor needed, no pro kit, no expertise assumed. For car reconditioners and detailing businesses, the product is a staple at vehicle intake: cars often turn up with a few fresh or half-fresh stains that want sorting quickly before the actual detail. The FleckEntferner handles that in minutes. In a pro workflow it's worth keeping it within reach and giving the seat faces a quick check as standard on every job — that way no stain slips through to bug the customer later. If you're after an Ecocert-certified cleaner, it's also worth a look at the SONAX PROFILINE CleanStar \"Ecocert\" — it suits interior surfaces too. For targeted stain work on Alcantara and upholstery, though, the XTREME FleckEntferner stays the most direct, no-fuss answer in the range. The 300 ml bottle lasts for plenty of jobs with sparing use — a solid stock whether at home or for the pros.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those wondering whether the FleckEntferner also works on covers made of other materials like velour, microfibre or faux leather: on velour and microfibre covers it's usually no problem — the logic of a pH-neutral cleaner plus a blotting motion applies there just the same. With faux leather (PU leather), a proper leather cleaner is the better shout, since faux leather has no absorbent fibre structure and stains there should be handled differently. Same goes for real smooth leather: no upholstery cleaner, but dedicated leather care. The product is clearly aimed at textile surfaces, and there it comes wholeheartedly recommended.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne last note on where to keep it: the product should be stored at room temperature and not left in direct sunlight or frost. In the boot of a car parked up over summer, temperatures can build that affect the mix. If you really want it within reach, keep it in the front of the cabin or in the glovebox — cool, but not frozen, and always easy to get to for the next job. That way you're right where a mishap happens with the right product at the right time — and you can react on the spot, before the stain turns into a permanent problem area.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SONAX","offers":[{"title":"300 ml","offer_id":57341901537615,"sku":"D1-SNX-02522000","price":6.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarafleckentferner-polsterreiniger_300ml.png?v=1774730129"},{"product_id":"sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarareiniger-treibgasfrei-polsterreiniger","title":"XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner (Propellant-Free) Upholstery Cleaner","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDeep-clean vehicle fabrics and knock out odours for good with SONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat can the SONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner (propellant-free) do? The foaming pump spray cleans every vehicle fabric from Alcantara to headliner, leaves no dirt rings and actively neutralises odours like cigarette smoke, pet-hair and milk residue.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you detail interiors regularly or take on a used car, you know the challenge: worked-in cigarette smell, spilled drinks in the seats or pet-hair residue in the headliner barely come out with household remedies — and the wrong cleaner leaves dirt rings or damages delicate Alcantara. The \u003cstrong\u003eSONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner\u003c\/strong\u003e is built for exactly this: a ready-to-use foam formula in a propellant-free pump spray that works deep into the upholstery, pulls dirt and odour residue out and stays gentle on all common vehicle fabrics — from cloth seats and carpets right through to fine Alcantara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoaming deep-clean with no dirt rings.\u003c\/strong\u003e The foam draws evenly into the upholstery fibres, lifts dirt and grease particles out of the fabric and vacuums back off along with the residue. No soaking the seat through, no water marks — the foam carries exactly the amount of moisture it needs to clean without swelling the material.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlcantara-safe and suited to every vehicle fabric.\u003c\/strong\u003e Alcantara reacts badly to harsh cleaners and to brushing against the pile. The XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner is solvent-free and set to a gentle pH that doesn't attack the microfibre structure. It works just as well on velour, cloth, carpets, headrests, headliner and door cards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOdours get neutralised, not masked.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cigarette smoke, pet smells and sour milk residue come from organic matter locked into the fibres. The formula breaks those residues open and lifts them out when you vacuum — instead of layering a competing scent on top. The result lasts, even after a fresh fragrance fades away after a few days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cblockquote class=\"praxistipp\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay-to-day from Detailing1:\u003c\/strong\u003e Always vacuum the upholstery dry first — loose bits and hair need to go before the foam goes on. For deep-seated odours it pays to let the foam dwell for 2–3 minutes before you work it with a microfibre cloth or a soft brush. Brush Alcantara only in the direction of the pile: go against it and you get permanent shiny patches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePropellant-free foam formula — how the pump-spray upholstery cleaner works inside the cabin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe difference between a propellant-free pump spray and a classic aerosol isn't just the propellant. Aerosols with propellant spread the cleaner as a fine mist over a wide area — handy outdoors, but inside the cabin it means cleaning agent ends up on the dashboard, displays, air vents and glass you never meant to touch. The propellant-free pump spray meters the foam precisely onto the target: you lay it down on seats, carpet or Alcantara under control, work it in and vacuum the residue off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe foam structure itself is what makes the cleaning work. Liquid cleaners run straight into the depth of the upholstery — with the risk of soaking the material through and pushing the odours deeper in. Foam stays on the surface and works its way into the upper fibre layers in a controlled way, right where everyday dirt sits. The surfactant blend in this upholstery cleaner drops the surface tension far enough to lift grease and protein residue — sweat, body oil, food debris — out of the fabric too, without swelling the weave or destabilising adhesives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor Alcantara the solvent-free formulation really matters. Alcantara is made of very fine polyester and polyurethane fibres that react sensitively to solvents and high pH. Household cleaners built for machine washing often run alkaline with solvent content that can partly dissolve or discolour that fibre structure. The XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner is formulated to clean the delicate surface without permanently altering the fibres — as long as you use the right technique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReady-to-use also means, in this case, no leftover moisture from overdosing. If you're mixing upholstery concentrates yourself for the first time, you often work too wet — the seat does dry, but leaves a ring pattern that shows up once it's dried out. The pre-dosed foam formula in the pump spray is balanced so that normal application carries exactly the right amount of moisture. That matters most on delicate surfaces like the headliner, which can sag with too much moisture because the adhesive behind the fabric reacts to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCleaning upholstery and Alcantara properly — the step-by-step workflow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the cleaning foam goes on comes the dry vacuum. Loose bits — dust, hair, crumbs — have to come out of the upholstery before any moisture goes in. Skip this step and you risk working dirt deeper into the fibre instead of removing it. A good upholstery attachment for the vacuum that gets into crevices and seams makes the difference here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen you lay the foam down evenly across the area you want to clean. For normal everyday soiling a short dwell of about a minute is enough. For more stubborn stains, worked-in odours or heavily used seat areas you can stretch the dwell to 2–3 minutes. Then comes the mechanical work: microfibre cloth or a soft upholstery brush in circular motions — on Alcantara only in the direction of the pile. After that, vacuum the residue off with a wet-dry vac or lift it with a well-wrung microfibre cloth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor heavy single stains — spilled coffee, blood, grease — it pays to pre-treat with the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarafleckentferner-polsterreiniger\"\u003eSONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Stain Remover\u003c\/a\u003e, which is built for targeted single-stain work, before you clean the whole area with the Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner. That combination — spot-treat the stain first, then clean the area — makes sure stains are fully lifted, not just smeared around. Let the cabin air out well after cleaning, without leaving the car in direct sun, which heats the upholstery fast and can bake residue in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA question that comes up a lot with Alcantara: how much foam is too much? Rule of thumb — you want the surface looking lightly damp, not wet. Alcantara has a very open fibre structure that soaks up moisture fast. Too much foam means too much moisture going in, which stretches the drying time and raises the risk of rings. Better to make a second short pass than to lay on too much at once. After cleaning, Alcantara can feel slightly stiff as it dries — that's normal and settles once it's fully dry, when you loosen the surface with a soft brush in the direction of the pile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eNeutralising car odours for good — what the upholstery cleaner really does\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCabin odours almost always come from organic residue in the fabrics: sweat, pet hair, food debris, cigarette smoke and sour milk residue. These substances settle into the upholstery fibres and get released again and again with heat or higher humidity — classic air fresheners cover that with a competing scent but don't fix the problem at the root.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner\u003c\/strong\u003e goes after the actual cause: the foam lifts the odour-forming organic residue out of the fibres so it's physically removed from the upholstery when you vacuum. That works especially well with fresher smells or moderate odour loads, the kind you get in normal everyday cars. A single cleaning pass brings a clearly noticeable improvement in those cases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith deep-seated odours — like years of heavy smoking in the car — keep your expectations realistic. The cleaner reaches the upper and middle upholstery layers well; odours worked deep into the seat padding over months or years need several cleaning cycles or a professional hot-steam treatment that gets deeper into the material. For heavily scented cars plan on 2–3 passes, each with a full dry and vacuum in between. Pet smells behave similarly: fresh smells from dog hair or coat clean up very well; worked-in cat urine or the like often needs enzyme-based specialist cleaners as a follow-up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat sets odour treatment in upholstery cleaning apart from plain surface cleaning is the combination of mechanically lifting and physically removing. Room sprays, activated carbon and similar measures bind odour molecules in the air — but they don't touch the residue in the fibres that the smells keep coming out of. Only once the residue is out of the material does the smell stop building. The upholstery cleaner is the first and decisive step here. If you run an ozone pass afterwards, you get clearly better results on stubborn cases — ozone breaks the remaining odour molecules down chemically and reaches areas a foam can't get to directly, like behind trim or in the ventilation system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eUpholstery cleaner compared — pump spray, aerosol and concentrate\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner comes in two formats: as a propellant-free pump spray (500 ml, this version) and as an aerosol (400 ml). The formula is identical in both — the difference is the delivery system. The aerosol produces a slightly finer, further-reaching foam and is marginally quicker to handle; the pump-spray version doses more precisely and is the one to pick for the cabin when you want to avoid unwanted foam on other surfaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAgainst upholstery-cleaner concentrates that have to be mixed with water first, the ready-to-use version gives you easy handling with no dosing errors. If you professionally detail a larger number of vehicles and find litre containers more economical, you can reach for concentrate alternatives — but for private or semi-pro use, ready-to-use is a real comfort. For pure single-stain work, where you don't want to clean a whole area, the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarafleckentferner-polsterreiniger\"\u003eSONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Stain Remover\u003c\/a\u003e is the more direct choice — it's aimed squarely at stains and isn't designed for area cleaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCompared to all-purpose cleaners from the household aisle, the clear advantage of the XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner is vehicle compatibility: no solvents, no aggressive pH, no risk to Alcantara surfaces or delicate upholstery adhesives. Household cleaners are built for machine washing with a rinse cycle — in the car, where a full rinse isn't possible, cleaning-agent residue can stay behind in the upholstery and get released again with moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne special case we see day-to-day: customers who've been working with steam cleaners and ask whether the upholstery cleaner is still needed afterwards. Steam cleaners lift dirt thermally and are effective on surface soiling — but they have no surfactant component to chemically lift worked-in grease or protein residue. So the upholstery cleaner and the steam cleaner complement each other well: foam lifts the chemical residue, steam opens the fibre structure and kills germs. Professional detailing uses both; for private use the upholstery cleaner alone is fully enough for most everyday situations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBuying an upholstery cleaner — who the SONAX XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner is for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe propellant-free upholstery cleaner is the right pick for car owners after a reliable, ready-to-use upholstery cleaner for every vehicle fabric — especially with Alcantara seats or door cards fitted. The propellant-free version suits the enclosed cabin particularly well: precise dosing, no propellant mist that you breathe in or that settles onto the dashboard and glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor detailers who regularly do used-car interiors or work on customer vehicles, the 500 ml bottle is a solid working size. A full interior — seats, headrests, carpets, headliner, door cards — uses half a bottle to a whole one depending on how dirty it is. If you look after several cars, stock up accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor private users with one car, the 500 ml bottle easily covers several full interior cleans — with normal everyday use and regular touch-ups, one bottle lasts a season comfortably. The ready-to-use formula also means you can grab it straight away for a quick job after a mishap — a spilled drink, wet dog paws after a walk — without mixing water and cleaner first. That everyday usability makes the upholstery cleaner a standard product in the car-care cupboard — on hand for the sudden stuff and thorough enough for the seasonal interior detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne last practical question that keeps coming up: what happens if you don't vacuum the foam off but just wipe it dry? On lightly to normally soiled upholstery — fresh dust, light body-oil residue — a microfibre cloth is enough. For heavier soiling or odours a wet-dry vac is the way to go, pulling the foam residue along with the loosened dirt properly out of the fibre instead of just spreading it around the surface. A plain household attachment on the vacuum works as a stopgap but is less effective than a dedicated upholstery attachment with a narrower suction opening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSensible additions to the upholstery cleaner are a soft upholstery brush for working the foam in, plus a wet-dry vac for pulling the residue off. For the dashboard, centre console and plastic door cards, a separate interior cleaner like the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/sonax-xtreme-auto-innen-reiniger\"\u003eSONAX XTREME Car Interior Cleaner\u003c\/a\u003e is the way to go — it's built for plastic and hard surfaces and pairs ideally with the upholstery cleaner. On heavily scented cars, an ozone pass after cleaning pays off, breaking down remaining odour molecules in the air and the fibres further. For leather trim: the XTREME Upholstery+Alcantara Cleaner is for fabric and Alcantara — for smooth Nappa or Nappa leather you need a separate leather cleaner that treats the surface gently and doesn't dry it out. With the right product set — upholstery cleaner for fabric and Alcantara, interior cleaner for hard plastic surfaces, leather cleaner for leather — you can run a full interior detail at a high level without compromising on material compatibility.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SONAX","offers":[{"title":"500ml","offer_id":57341912973647,"sku":"D1-SNX-02062410","price":11.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/3272\/7375\/files\/sonax-xtreme-polster-alcantarareiniger-treibgasfrei-polsterreiniger_500ml.png?v=1774730132"}],"url":"https:\/\/detailing1.nl\/en\/collections\/reiniger-fuer-alcantara-lenkraeder.oembed","provider":"Detailing1","version":"1.0","type":"link"}