Cleaning carpet, mats and upholstery is something all of us address as professional detailers and enthusiasts alike. As professionals, we have all heard the question at some point about “Shampooing” carpets. While there are many detailers that use extraction systems in their shop, for many of us who clean carpets on seldom occasions, we need something a little more practical that is also effective. For the past several years, my solution has been Meguiar’s D102 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner.
Meguiar’s D-102 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner was developed for high volume detail shops where speed is a concern for cleaning and drying on fabric surfaces. Megs D-102 is an aerosolized cleaner that makes cleaning carpet easy and has been my go-to in my detail studio for years. I recently had a Porsche 911C2 S in for paint correction and coating that was in need of some interior attention.
After a few spirited miles, these mats needed a little TLC. Using Megs D-102 is pretty straight forward and you want to start by vacuuming the surface to be cleaned. Next, you want to shake the can well before spraying onto the surface.
You will notice that the can has an upside down spray design. Test on a small spot for colorfastness prior to cleaning a large area.
Holding the can back about 6 to 8 inches, press down the button to release the cleaner onto the surface. For heavily soiled areas, I typically lay down a pretty even amount of D-102 onto the surface. Allow the product to penetrate into the surface for about 30 seconds.
Meguiar’s recommends using an all surface brush and a terry cloth towel. In my detail studio, I’ve always preferred the Tuf Shine Tire Brush for years. The bristles are gentle but strong for cleaning carpet and upholstery.
Brush the surface in alternating directions to properly clean all sides of the carpet fibers.
Using a microfiber towel, wipe the surfaces that were brushed to soak up the Megs D-102. Make sure to use a towel that is not going to be used on paint surfaces as the towel will certainly become extremely dirty and contaminated with debris. One of the biggest reasons I choose Megs D-102 in my studio is due to its quick drying and ability to clean without leaving residue or staining.
50/50 of carpet cleaned with Meguiars D-102. As you can see from the above image, the 50/50 shows the effectiveness of Megs D-102 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner. It took approximately 2 minutes to clean the left side of the mat. That’s the speed at which Megs D-102 works, which will make quick work of cleaning most interior surfaces including vinyl, rubber and other non-clear plastic surfaces.
The cleaning power of Meguiar’s D-102 Carpet & Upholstery is great for both pros and enthusiasts. It has a pleasant clean scent that isn’t overpowering or lingers too long. I recommend giving the surface a final vacuum to help speed up the drying process and pick up any remaining debris.
In closing, If you are looking for a carpet cleaner that is strong, effective and economical, then Meguiar’s D-102 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner might be the product for you. The foam action lifts dirt from tough stains fast and easy. At $6.99 a can, its one of the best bang for the buck carpet cleaners. Depending on how dirty the carpet, I typically can clean a vehicle with one can and usually have plenty left over. I always stock several on hand in my detail studio and they are great for home use as well. If you have an extractor, you can also use D-102 to do a lot of the heavy lifting prior to using an extractor.