Upholstery; Textile Carpeting; Washing - Cadillac BLS Owner's Manual

460_OM_MY09.book Page 228 Wednesday, April 2, 2008 10:32 AM
228 Car care

Upholstery

To remove fluff and hairs from the seats,
door armrests and headlining, use a
vacuum cleaner, a moist lint-free cloth, or a
clothes brush. Remove spots and dirt using
a cloth moistened with lukewarm soapy
water.
When using a stain remover, always work
from the outside towards the centre to avoid
leaving a ring. If a soiled ring or spot should
remain, it can usually be removed using
lukewarm soapy water or water alone.
Spots left by liquids, such as soft drinks or
thin oil, must be removed at once with an
absorbent material, such as kitchen towel-
ling. Then clean with a stain remover.
White spirit is recommended for removing
grease and oil stains. A medium stiff brush
may also be used.
Cleaning and caring for leather
upholstery 3
The principal reason for treating leather
upholstery is to maintain its elegant appear-
ance and to provide it with a protective film.
Discolouration caused by dust and wear
mainly affects the lighter shades, although
this is not detrimental to the leather, indeed,
the patina resulting from use is often consid-
ered desirable in leather. But if the leather is
allowed to become too grubby, it can start to
look shabby. Vacuum the leather regularly
with a soft brush attachment to remove
loose dirt and dust.
The leather upholstery should be cleaned
and reconditioned twice a year in conjunc-
tion with spring and autumn inspections. In
very warm, dry climates the leather may
need more regular reconditioning. Use con-
ventional leather care products. Follow the
instructions on the packaging.
Do not use harsh polishing agents, sol-
vents, sprays, coarse soap or hot water.
Semi-Anilin is a leather that is dyed
throughout and only has a thin protective
finish and is accordingly more sensitive than
a surface-dyed leather, and it therefore
requires more care to retain the properties
for protection and patination.

Textile carpeting

Textile carpeting should be vacuum
cleaned regularly. Carpeting can also be
cleaned using a brush or sponge and carpet
shampoo.
For safety reasons, vacuum cleaners that
are not earthed (grounded) must not be
used out of doors.

Washing

The bodywork must be washed frequently.
When the car is new, the body should be
washed by hand using plain cold water and
a clean, soft brush through which the water
flows. Automatic car washes should be
avoided when the car is new. After five or six
months the paintwork will have hardened.
To facilitate cleaning, a suitable detergent
can be added to the water, which should be
lukewarm.
Remove any bird droppings without delay,
as these can discolour the paintwork and
prove difficult to polish out. Lay a wad of wet
paper on the patch of dirt and leave it for a
minute or so. It will then be easy to wash off
the dirt.
Use a soft cloth moistened with white spirit
to remove splashes of tar or asphalt. Do not
use strong cleaners, as these can dry out
the paintwork.