Tip for cleaning white stitching (with pics)

[Opie55]

If you are as fastidious as I am and have white stitching, you may have noticed it does not stay white in certain spots, particularly where your arm rests on the center console and on the passenger door pull. Leather cleaner doesn't really do much for stitching, and may make it darker as the grime from the leather soaks it. Here is an easy two-minute solution. I did not take any before shots, but a couple inches on either side of the curve on the center console was nearly as dark as the leather.

Cut three pieces of old towel. Smooth rags like t-shirts don't work as well. One can be fairly small - smaller than a washcloth. The other two can be washcloth-size or larger. Hold the small rag so part is stretched over your index finger. Wet that part more than damp, but not dripping. Rub that part three or four times across a bar of Ivory soap. Don't substitute some other soap. Gently rub the stitching four or five passes. Don't rub hard - you don't want the stitching to get fuzzy. Take the second rag and wet it just short of dripping. Wipe the stitching good, flipping the rag a couple times - no pressure needed - just get it wet to rinse the soap off. Use the third rag to dry, and buff just bit. Literally takes two minutes. These two after pics are of a 32,000 mile car.

[bemami]

Brilliant

[jjasonSU]

nice method. Mine is red stitching but i'll still try it

[Opie55]

Should work fine on any color. White just shows it more.

[Havy]

Wow, that looks like new. tank you for sharing.

[F06msportmia]

Originally Posted by Opie55

If you are as fastidious as I am and have white stitching, you may have noticed it does not stay white in certain spots, particularly where your arm rests on the center console and on the passenger door pull. Leather cleaner doesn't really do much for stitching, and may make it darker as the grime from the leather soaks it. Here is an easy two-minute solution. I did not take any before shots, but a couple inches on either side of the curve on the center console was nearly as dark as the leather.

Cut three pieces of old towel. Smooth rags like t-shirts don't work as well. One can be fairly small - smaller than a washcloth. The other two can be washcloth-size or larger. Hold the small rag so part is stretched over your index finger. Wet that part more than damp, but not dripping. Rub that part three or four times across a bar of Ivory soap. Don't substitute some other soap. Gently rub the stitching four or five passes. Don't rub hard - you don't want the stitching to get fuzzy. Take the second rag and wet it just short of dripping. Wipe the stitching good, flipping the rag a couple times - no pressure needed - just get it wet to rinse the soap off. Use the third rag to dry, and buff just bit. Literally takes two minutes. These two after pics are of a 32,000 mile car.

Thanks for the tip, I have the same interior going to take care of it this weekend!