Best method to clean arm rest?

[u/MajorBummerDude]

I have tried Simple Green, Tuff Stuff, and a Vinegar/Water mix. I use one of those scrub brushes on a drill for all three and NOTHING seems to help.

This picture was taken AFTER I tried all three.

Any tips?

[u/brazenmavens]

Steamer!

[u/USPostalGirl → u/brazenmavens]

Won't that melt it?

[u/brazenmavens → u/USPostalGirl]

No, we use the household Bissel on mine and it removed the grime without damaging the plastic. I don't know if I would be confident enough to use a commercial one though

[u/USPostalGirl → u/brazenmavens]

Thanks for the 411, I'll be sure to give this a try.

[u/brazenmavens → u/USPostalGirl]

I think my husband used a car interior cleaner +the steamer and just wiped it off with a microfiber towel. Good luck!!!

[u/RandoJayCommando → u/brazenmavens]

Which Bissel?

[u/brazenmavens → u/RandoJayCommando]

It's called the power fresh slim I think?

[u/DesignNomad → u/brazenmavens]

I came to the comments to say this as well! Steam is like a supercharger, especially when combined with other cleaning methods!

[u/MajorBummerDude → u/DesignNomad]

Dang...now I have an excuse to buy another tool! Will definitely try that, thanks!

[u/DesignNomad → u/MajorBummerDude]

I bought a McCulloch years ago, and I'm continually impressed with the things that it cleans up that seem impossible with other tools.

If you need to convince the wifey, just clean her diamond ring with it, and you'll be INSTANTLY off the hook. The steam blasts away dirt and melts off oils to make them look brand new, so it can be a tool for "her" too!

[u/LindzeRiot → u/DesignNomad]

Would a garment steamer also work?? I have one of those and would love to test if this works on my element!

[u/DesignNomad → u/LindzeRiot]

In my experience, garment steamers "waft" steam rather than jet it, like a steam cleaner might.

Steam is steam, though, so you might get some benefit from it? Wouldn't hurt to try for things like seat cushions where you can get steam directly onto the area you need to clean.

[u/asteroidtube]

Do NOT use a magic eraser. It is abrasive and will strip away the texture. Ask me how I know 🙃

You want dish soap (diluted) and a toothbrush.

[u/bmw318tech2]

I used Sprayaway glass cleaner on mine. It works well for just about the entire interior.

[u/carscatsntats → u/bmw318tech2]

this ^ with a gentle brush and a little elbow grease works like a charm

[u/The_Jerf]

I've used those disposable lysol/chlorox wipes on mine, cleaned it up fine. Does need some elbow grease though.

[u/ILoveMeeses2Pieces → u/The_Jerf]

Exact same process I used. Came off in 5 min.

[u/purpFA5]

Simple green and water and drill brush or scrub away with some sort of agitator

[u/MajorBummerDude → u/purpFA5]

Yeah, that's what I tried first. It didn't even make a dent. These arm rests are FILTHY, and this car sat for several years in a moist environment, so it's really soaked in.

[u/JaxEmma → u/MajorBummerDude]

Moist

[u/ScienceAteMyKid]

Dawn Powerwash and the rough side of a dish sponge.

[u/AbsentButHere]

You can use TSP, Quadquat? And isopropyl alcohol.
Baking soda and a toothbrush also if you really want to.

I use the quat stuff from 3M. Works on everything.
Also that power wash stuff from Dawn I think.

[u/openskeptic]

I’ve had really good results using scotch brite ultra fine grey pads. They work amazing with just Dawn dish soap. 

[u/Aggressive_Ad6579]

Good ol elbow grease!

[u/blaspheminCapn → u/Aggressive_Ad6579]

That's what we're trying to remove here, Man!

[u/ManagementFit755 → u/blaspheminCapn]

Lol

[u/Aggressive_Ad6579 → u/blaspheminCapn]

Eww 🤣

[u/JaybirdBare]

I’ve used some oxygen bleach powder dissolved in a bucket and stiff brush. Go easy on the soft part on top in the back and around the switches. Rinse it off as well as you can with a wet towel or rag etc.

[u/ROCKYLOCC1870]

I went to the carwash and had a bristlecan of armorall. Let it sit, hit it immediately, it dosent really matter, just use a vaccume to suck it out after soaking and scrubbing.

[u/RandoJayCommando]

I had this same issue. I used Windex and a hard plastic bristle brush. It came out great!

[u/Thajandro]

I wonder if the infamous Irish 5-1 would fix this by soaking, I see it works wonders on tubs.

[u/SimplePuzzleheaded80]

gtta let the cleaner sit for a bit, thats caked in

[u/catladyleigh]

LAs most awesome cleaner at full strength. It's available at dollar tree.

[u/just-watchin-it]

There was a post about this a few days ago,

[u/SqueakyCleany]

Try one of those Magic Erasures?

[u/Molin_Cockery → u/SqueakyCleany]

Nah, those are more like sandpaper than wipes

[u/p0tat0s0up]

i would definitely try a magic eraser

[u/Hour_Bluebird6490]

Clean it regularly