Your car will have a luxurious touch with leather seats. You must maintain them because they are expensive. To keep leather car seats looking great and functioning well, follow these cleaning instructions.
First, vacuum the seats, being careful to remove dirt and debris from the crevices. Next, apply a cleaning solution to the seats. Avoid using cleaners with ammonia or bleach because they can harm the leather. Mix warm water and Castile soap or liquid dishwashing soap together in a bucket. Use a 5:1 soap to water ratio. Clean the seat surfaces by drenching a cloth in the solution. Avoid soaking the leather. Clean up using a second damp cloth. With a towel, dry completely.
The best way to keep leather car seats clean is to prevent stains. As soon as a spill hits a seat, clean it up. Stains will appear despite your quick cleanup efforts. Get cleaning by grabbing one of these items.
Table of Contents
How to Clean Leather Car Seats
Vacuum
You should vacuum your leather seats first to remove any dirt, hair, and other debris before you start cleaning them. This will stop these substances from penetrating the leather and altering its texture. Don’t forget that if you end up rubbing dirt or other debris into the leather of your car seats, you won’t be able to clean them effectively.
If at all possible, thoroughly vacuum your leather seats and upholstery with a heavy-duty shop vac (or even a regular home vacuum with a hose). The dirt and debris in crevices should also be sucked up. To clean those difficult to reach areas, be sure to insert the vacuum nozzle into the crease that separates the sitting surface from the back surface of your leather seats.
Apply a Cleaning Solution
To remove any stains and bacteria that have accumulated over time, you must next apply a cleaning solution to the leather. A commercial cleaning solution is available for purchase, or you can make your own using items from around the house.
Regardless of which option you choose, do not apply the cleaning solution directly to your leather seats. Instead, dab some solution on a microfiber cloth to make it just a little bit damp—not soaked.
Wash With a Microfiber Cloth
After completing the first two steps, scrub your leather seats with a microfiber cloth dampened with the cleaning solution. Avoid soaking your leather surfaces in too much cleaning solution. If not properly dried, wet leather takes a very long time to dry and may eventually become moldy.
Scrub any stains or dirt flecks you notice with your cleaning cloth until they disappear. You should only need to use a little bit of elbow grease to remove the stains if they haven’t embedded themselves into the leather. Additional scrubbing may be necessary to completely remove tougher stains and marks.
Wipe Clean and Dry
It’s crucial to understand that you cannot leave your leather seats damp for the night or let them dry naturally in the air. This often results in the leather cracking and warping. Instead, use a fresh, second microfiber cloth to dry your leather seats after you’ve scrubbed them.
It’s normal for your leather seats to still contain some moisture in the fabric. To reduce the risk of mold growth or material damage, the key is to remove the majority of the moisture.
Tips for Cleaning Your Leather Car Seats
Cleaning your leather car seats is surprisingly easy, despite the fact that it may seem like a daunting task. However, bear in mind these advice from professionals if you really want to make the interior of your car shine.
Stay Still and Scrub Down: Varela advises letting your leather cleaner sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a soft bristle cleaning brush to really make it work its magic. The key is to use a very gentle, circular motion when using your brush.
Use Leather Conditioner Sparingly: Sure, leather conditioner might keep your car’s interior soft and supple, but you shouldn’t use it every time you clean your seats. You should apply leather conditioner once every three months, according to Varela.
Explore the Alternatives: If leather cleaner and conditioner alone are not sufficient to make a driver’s car seats shine, what should they do? There are many other options, as Sokolowski explains, so don’t worry. Aerosol hairspray could be used to remove permanent marker stains, and rubbing alcohol and warm water mixed in equal parts could be used to get rid of mold and mildew. Grease can be removed with a light sprinkle of baking soda.
And what about those deep stains? “Red wine or fruit juice can be removed using lemon juice and cream of tartar,” Sokolowski says. “Before removing with a damp sponge, let this sit on the stain for at least 10 minutes.” After removing the lemon juice from the leather, condition it if you used it.
Use Leather Cleaning Products
Each item you purchase from a store typically comes with instructions that will walk you through using it. Many products advise vacuuming the surface first before using a cleaning agent. For best results in removing stains and dirt from your seats, gently rub the cleaner into the fabric. You can help ensure proper application of the cleaning product by reading the cleaner’s specific instructions.
You might think about having your car detailed by a professional if you’re still unsure how to use the leather cleaning product or don’t want to risk damaging your seats. Less risk of damage or staining is involved when using these experts to expertly clean and condition your leather seats. Additionally, these experts frequently have access to high-end cleaning supplies and products to give your seats the best possible clean and shine.
Read about How To Clean Car Windows
Choose Leather Cleaning Products
When choosing a leather cleaning product, there are many things to look for in a cleaner. The condition of your seats should be taken into account first. The effectiveness of the cleaner may be impacted by pre-existing damage and wear, so considering this information beforehand can help you make the best choice. Some items to look for in a cleaner include:
- Your seat won’t be harmed by the cleaner’s absence of harsh chemicals.
- The cleaning solution comes in a spray form, making it simple to apply and remove.
- The leather cleaner works with a variety of leather hues and textures.
- Both new and used leather can be used with the product.
- The product’s formula is either nontoxic or devoid of fragrance, neither of which can leave stains on your seats.
Your plush leather seats may develop buildup if you use conditioners that contain wax or petroleum. Additionally, the leather used for the seat may become dull due to these finishes. Look for natural ingredients in the ingredients list when evaluating your leather conditioner.
Keep Leather Clean Longer
Protecting your car’s seats from damaging UV rays can be accomplished by using leather conditioner that contains sunscreen or another type of sun protection. Because you can quickly clean up spills with microfiber towels that are readily available in your car, you can avoid the accumulation of dirt and grime. This can also stop any material discoloration from happening when spills happen. Regularly vacuuming your car with a soft brush attachment can also help you keep up with any dirt accumulation on the seats, preventing you from needing to do a deep clean on them all the time.
How Often to Use Leather Conditioner?
How often you should condition the leather on your seats is not specified. You can decide how frequently to use leather conditioner by thinking about how frequently you use your car, where you park it, and who frequently rides along. You might use leather conditioner more frequently to prevent wear and tear on your seats if you frequently use your car, park it in direct sunlight, have a pet, or have kids.
Think About Using Seat Covers
If you often have passengers or animals in your vehicle, you might consider installing seat covers over your leather seats to protect them from additional wear or tear. If you frequently haul items in your back seats, seat covers are also a good idea. It’s simple to find designs and materials that suit you because there are so many seat cover options available. Looking for a modern black design? A lot of those, for sure. Want flames or flowers from the 1990s instead? Please refrain from passing judgment because those are also widely available.
Final Words
Your leather car seats will last longer if you keep them clean on a regular basis and you’ll prevent them from suffering from usage-related wear and tear. As long as you use the proper equipment and solutions, the procedure is fairly simple, and your leather will continue to give your ride a comfortable feel and a nice aesthetic.
