Let’s face it -- most of us severely neglect our leather car seats. It’s easy to do since they typically are easier to maintain and generally speaking, last much longer than their counterparts. With that being said, there are a few tips we think will be helpful for you to know to help maintain your leather seats, and keep them looking new longer! If you’re looking for the best way to clean leather car seats, we’re here to help.
Simple Steps to Follow
Leather seats are a great investment to help your car hold value and embody luxury. To keep them looking fresh, it’s important to implement a regular cleaning routine. By doing this, you can help keep your leather seats from suffering from buildup and showing signs of premature aging. Keep in mind that while durable, leather seats can be delicate, so your cleaning method should be as gentle as possible.
Here are some cleaning tips to follow:
- Start the cleaning process by using a vacuum or soft bristle brush to remove loose dust, crumps, and other particles. To avoid scratching the surface of your leather, you should make sure that you are using a soft brush attachment on your vacuum.
- Dilute mild soap with approximately 8 parts lukewarm water
- Using a sponge, gently wipe leather seats. Be mindful that the sponge should be wrung out before wiping the seats, as you want to avoid over saturating the leather.
- Using a lint-free or microfiber cloth such as Dash Gear, gently wipe your leather seats, removing any suds that formed from the original cleaning process.
- Spray a modest amount of clean lukewarm water on the seats and wipe with an absorbent cloth, like The Absorber. This ensures that all soap residue is removed.
- Wipe the entire area with a clean cloth and allow for the leather seats to air dry.
Remember, these are tips to help maintain the beauty of your leather, a more detailed clean may be required if you have neglected your leather for an extended period of time.
Repairing Your Leather Car Seat
Accidents happen and time can take a toll on your car. If you live in an area that is very dry and warm, it is possible that you may experience cracks in your leather seats. Luckily, you can pick up a repair kit for leather seats that contain dye to match your seats. It’s important to know how to properly prepare your seats before attempting to repair them.
Here are a few tips you can follow:
- Gently clean your seat with diluted dish soap and lukewarm water.
- With the same rag used to clean your seat, apply a small amount of denatured alcohol to the affected area.
- Dry area with a microfiber cloth.
- Using fine sandpaper, gently sand down the edges of the cracks.
- Then, use your leather seat repair kit to repair the crack, following directions stated by the kit.
- Let dry completely before using your seat.
Ongoing Maintenance Habits
As mentioned, regular cleaning and maintenance of your seats will help to keep your seats in good condition. It is recommended that you perform a full leather cleaning around four times per year. We like to encourage car owners to clean the exterior and interior at the same time, that way it is easier to remember when your next cleaning should be done. Nothing feels better than making your used car feel brand new with a quick cleaning routine!