Whether you’ve upgraded your car seat rails or want to make sure your stock rails are in tip-top shape, we have what you need. We’ll cover everything from vacuuming to lubricant application with these four easy maintenance tips for car seat rails.

Clear Obstructions

When beginning the cleaning process, your first step is to clear away any under-seat obstructions to allow full access to the rails. Pull out any discarded wrappers, cans, and bottles from beneath the seat. If you noticed issues with your seat rails, you probably don’t need to go further to address the problem. A caught piece of litter is usually the culprit.

Use a Vacuum

Once you’ve removed large obstructions, you should vacuum under the seats and around the rails. Small crumbs can fall onto the rails, and while they aren’t massive obstructions, they can prevent your seat from moving smoothly. You’ll need a small vacuum attachment to get into the seat rails since clearance is tight.

Scrub Until They Shine

The vacuum is an excellent place to start, but we’re betting you’ll need to apply some elbow grease to get the seat rails spick and span. Use a diluted all-purpose cleaner and microfiber cloth to scrub the exterior of your seat rails. You may have trouble getting into the rails with this cloth. So you can instead switch to a Q-tip for tight cleaning.

Apply Lubricant

The final step seals the deal, so don’t skip it! You can use a silicone grease product or just about any spray lubricant. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific requirements. While lubricating the rails to get the perfect slide, you should avoid getting any lubricant on your trim or upholstery. Stock seat tracks get the job done, but you may want to upgrade your seat rail sliders to get the most out of them.

Now that you know these four easy maintenance tips for car seat rails, enjoy a smooth slide and a sleek interior.