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How do you clean the SofTex interior?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jediatzinger, Sep 13, 2013.

  1. jediatzinger

    jediatzinger New Member

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    When I would take my previous vehicle (Ford) into the dealership to have the oil and tires rotated I'd almost always get it back with smudges on the console and steering wheel. When I'd get home I'd wipe the inside down with a couple clorox wipes and all was well. My interior was leather and it held up well for 10+ years without any issues.

    Now that I have a brand new 2013 Prius with the SofTex interior I want to make sure I take proper care of it before I go in for my first scheduled maintenance, which is still a couple months away.

    Recommendations?
     
  2. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    From the manual:

     
  3. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    I think OP was asking about maintaining, not cleaning. I have not come across anything. Suppose to be a low maintenance and easy to clean.
     
  4. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    My '13 came with a ToyoGuard cleaning kit. The interior cleaner works fantastic on all the surfaces in the car, including the seats. I would highly recommend it! I just finished detailing the car. For best results, blow all the nooks and crannies, air vents, seat seams with an air compressor. Then vacuum all surfaces, going easy on the softec, then wipe with with a lint free cloth and the Toyota Interior Cleaner!
     
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  5. jediatzinger

    jediatzinger New Member

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    I was asking about both!
     
  6. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    Well. That's how I maintain it, too. By cleaning it...
     
  7. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    Just a damp towel has worked for me for clean it.. that include sunblock that I accidentally got on the seats and panels. This Softex stuff seems very durable and elastic.

    I think the worse thing for any interior is damage from sun/heat. I tinted my windows and put a sun visor up as often as I can.
     
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  8. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Unless you expect something to magically stay clean perpetually...cleaning is a big part of maintaining.
     
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  9. michinnom

    michinnom Member

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    its fake leather, just use anything.
     
  10. hybridbear

    hybridbear Member

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    What about something like this?

     
  11. michinnom

    michinnom Member

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    Can we just call it what it really is? P L E A T H E R. Use any vinyl furniture cleaner with UV protection. That's all you need. And pray that something poking out of your pockets don't tear the fake leather that Toyota promotes as being "better" than leather. Just FYI, Mother Nature makes far superior products compared with man-made products. We all know this...
     
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  12. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    No we all don't know that, nor do you.
     
  13. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    So far, Softex proves to be very good in terms of easy to clean, resisting stains and elastic.

    I've had stains from sun block lotion. It came out with wipe of a damp cloth.

    It's definitely very elastic. I fold my rear seat down quite often and several times the seat belt buckle dug into the seat leaving a very sharp impression. I didn't think it would come out. After several days it did and back to normal.
     
  14. michinnom

    michinnom Member

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    lol really? Leather is inferior to pleather? hmm...ok, whatever you say.
     
  15. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Synthetic oil vs mother nature made stuff from the ground?

    SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 ? 2
     
  16. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Absolutely. Leather does not last well and needs a lot of conditioning to keep from cracking, etc.

    Leather is also heavier and doesn't breath as well as Softex nor is as water resistant.

    I think even Mercedes doesn't even use leather any more, just their own Softex like material.

    If you want to know the real skinny, shoot an email to these guys and ask them why they don't use leather (only a Softex like material)-

    ICON

    Right on their site they say "leather doesn't last for shit".
     
  17. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Learn the difference between objective and subjective. "Superior" is whatever any person perceives as being better. People around here seem to prefer Softex over leather, I know I do. You don't get to decide for anyone else what is superior.
     
  18. wbray123

    wbray123 Junior Member

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    I've been using Turtle Wax Ice Premium Interior cleaner. Am not sure how well it conditions or protects, but it seems to work fine for me. I like it on the dash too. Makes it look clean but does not add gloss.
     
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  19. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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  20. Gee3

    Gee3 Junior Member

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    I have a bunch of leather cleaner/conditioner combo spray left. Do you think that would be okay? I don't want to waste it if I can use it without damaging the SofTex/pleather.

    Thanks!