A leather car seat has a lot of benefits, such as looking very nice and being durable, but it also requires special care to keep it in good condition. If you don’t take the time to clean your leather car seat regularly, it will begin to deteriorate over time and eventually become unusable, so cleaning your leather car seat regularly is essential to keeping it in good condition.
Cleaning Leather Car Seats
The best way to clean your leather car seats is by using a commercial leather cleaner. Mix 1 part dish soap in 5 parts water, dip a cloth in it and wipe the leather seat surface.
Follow this guide on how to clean leather car seats in detail, so that you can protect the value of your car for years to come.
Spray your seat with water
To clean your leather car seats with water, spray them with water. This is going to sound counterintuitive, but it’s best to use warm water. Hot water will dry leather and stiffen it; cold water can cause mildew and smells.
Spray warm water onto your seat, then wipe away with a towel. If you’re not sure how wet your leather seat should be, aim for dampness instead of drenched—damp leather is easier to clean.
Dampen a cloth and clean in circles
Dampen a cloth in plain water and clean it in circles. Avoid using too much water, though, as it may seep into seams and damage your car seat’s upholstery. Rinse off any cleaning solution with plain water.
Once you’ve finished cleaning, pat dry with another soft cloth. Be sure not to rub or apply too much pressure when cleaning leather car seats. If you do, you run the risk of damaging their finish and creating fine scratches.
Repeat steps 1 & 2 until clean
To make sure all traces of dirt are gone before applying the conditioner, repeat steps 1&2 until clean, meaning continue rubbing with water until no more dirt is removed (this will take a while), and then rinse all surfaces again. Let dry completely before proceeding.
Use saddle soap if needed
Using soap can discolor your leather car seat covers. For milder discoloration, try cleaning with saddle soap. Wipe it on and then buff it off with a clean cloth.
For tougher stains, use a stain-removal product, and be sure to let it sit for five minutes before wiping away any excess solution. This will give you time to get all of it without overdoing it. Then, simply clean your leather car seat as you normally would (with or without saddle soap).
When you’re done cleaning your leather car seat, take a moment to look at how great it looks! You should also notice that your seats are now soft and supple again. Enjoy!
Clean Regularly!
In fact, you should really think of your leather cleaning regimen as something you’ll have to repeat regularly. In addition to wearing off over time, makeup and other substances can seep into your seats and settle there without you even knowing it. That’s why it’s important to clean your car at least once per month or as often as necessary.
Don’t forget to use extra leather care products
It’s important to have additional products in order to keep your car seats clean and protected at all times. Because you’re cleaning it more often, there will be more dirt and grime that accumulates over time. The additional products should be used as necessary when cleaning your seats, so they can maintain their original quality.
For optimal results, follow instructions on leather care labels before application. The instructions vary depending on what leather product you use, so it’s important to follow them carefully for the best results.
When cleaning leather car seats, you should use products specifically designed for leather (that’s what they’re made for!). If you don’t, it could cause damage to your seats. These products typically include cleaner or polish for regular maintenance along with a specific leather conditioner for long-term protection of your seats.
Use these extra steps in order to provide long-lasting benefits from regularly cleaning your leather car seat without causing permanent damage.
Don’t forget these important leather care steps: condition, clean, and protect! A must-have that covers all three is Meguiar’s Ultimate Leather Care Kit. The kit contains everything needed to clean and condition leather including shampoo, cleaner/conditioner, and protective spray.
Most people don’t realize it, but leather is made of animal skin. That means that if you leave your seat in direct sunlight, or have one of those leather-wrapped steering wheels, UV rays can cause your seats to fade and crack prematurely.
If you don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars for new ones, use a product like 303 High Tech Fabric Guard. It will help protect your seats from damaging UV rays and keep them looking good as new for years down the road.
In the end, watch this video to learn how you can clean really dirty leather car seats.
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