The usual answer with any upholstery cleaner is "test spot." I have used it at 5:1 on a headliner spot (came out quickly). And 3:1 on carpet with no problem, but I'd still do a test in an inconspicuous place before I just ran with it. I left it on some vinyl seats a little too long and had trouble removing the runs. I just work faster now, no problems. It does foam quite a bit and needs to be rinsed from fabric.