Maintenance

Interior Care

~3min read

General Interior Precautions

Avoid contact of chemicals such as perfume, cosmetic oil, sunscreen, hand lotion, and air freshener with interior parts, as they may cause damage or discoloration. If they contact interior parts, wipe them off immediately. If necessary, use a vinyl cleaner; see the instructions for proper use.

CAUTION

Never allow water or other liquids to contact electrical/electronic components inside the vehicle, as this may damage them.

CAUTION

When cleaning leather items (steering wheel, seats, etc.), use neutral detergents or weak alcohol-based solutions. If you use high-alcohol-content solutions or acid/alkali cleaners, the leather color may fade or the surface may peel.

Leather Seat Care

  • Vacuum the seats periodically to remove dust and sand from the seats. This prevents abrasion or damage to the leather and maintains its quality.
  • Wipe the natural leather seat upholstery often with a dry or soft cloth.
  • Regular use of a leather protectant can prevent abrasion of the coating and help preserve the color. Be sure to read the instructions and consult a specialist before using leather coating or protective products.
  • Light-colored leather (beige, cream-beige) is easily soiled and shows dirt readily. Clean soiled areas frequently.
  • Avoid wiping with a wet cloth. This may cause the surface to crack.

Cleaning Leather Seats

  • Remove all contaminants immediately. See the instructions below for removing each type of contaminant.
  • Cosmetic products (sunscreen, foundation, etc.)
    - Apply cleaning cream to a cloth and wipe the soiled spot. Wipe off the cream with a damp cloth and remove water with a dry cloth.
  • Beverages (coffee, soft drinks, etc.)
    - Apply a small amount of neutral cleaner and wipe the soiled area. Do not spread the stain.
  • Oil
    - Remove oil immediately with an absorbent cloth, and wipe with a stain remover designed only for genuine leather.
  • Chewing gum
    - Harden the chewing gum with ice and remove it gradually.

Fabric Seat Covers with Precautions (if equipped)

Clean the cloth seats regularly. Vacuum the seats, taking into account the characteristics of the cloth material. If the seats are heavily soiled with beverage stains, etc., use a suitable interior cleaner. To prevent damage to the seat covers, wipe the seat covers downward toward the seams using long wiping strokes and moderate pressure with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.

Hook-and-loop fasteners on clothing or sharp objects may cause snagging or scratches on the seat surfaces. Make sure not to rub such objects against the surface.

Cleaning Upholstery and Interior Trim

Vinyl

Remove dust and loose dirt from vinyl with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner. Clean vinyl surfaces with a vinyl cleaner.

Cloth

Remove dust and loose dirt from the cloth with a brush or vacuum cleaner. It is recommended to wash with a mild soap solution for upholstery or carpets. Remove fresh stains immediately with a fabric stain remover. If fresh stains are not treated immediately, the fabric may become permanently stained and its color may be affected. In addition, its flame-resistant properties may be reduced if the material is not properly maintained.

CAUTION

Using anything other than the recommended cleaning agents and procedures may affect the appearance of the fabric and flame-resistance characteristics.

Cleaning the seat belt webbing

Clean the seat belt webbing with any mild soap solution recommended for cleaning upholstery or carpets. Follow the instructions supplied with the soap. Do not bleach or dye the seat belt webbing, as this may weaken it.

Cleaning the Inside of the Window Glass

If the inside glass surfaces of the vehicle become fogged (i.e., covered with an oily, greasy or waxy film), they should be cleaned with a glass cleaner. Follow the instructions on the cleaner container.

CAUTION

Do not scratch or scrape the inside of the rear window. This may damage the rear window defroster grid.

Test yourself

A quick Kia Picanto JA quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.