Leather car seats require regular maintenance and cleaning to keep them looking their best and to maintain their luxurious appearance. Over time, dirt, grime and spills can accumulate on your car seats, leaving them stained and grubby. Besides keeping your leather seats soft and moisturized, regular maintenance will also prevent your leather upholstery from drying and cracking. Quality leather conditioners also protect against UV damage and discoloration.
Here’s an easy step by step guide on how to clean and protect your leather car seats and keep them looking like new:
Preparation
Products and tools you might need to clean your leather car seats:
- Leather cleaner
- Leather conditioner (matte or satin finish)
- Microfiber towels
- Applicator for conditioner
- Soft brush
- Vacuum
- Vacuum crevice nozzle and upholstery nozzle
Step by step guide “How To Clean Leather Car Seats”
Step 1: Vacuum your car seats
Start by removing any debris or large pieces of dirt from the seats using the vacuum’s upholstery attachment.
Next, vacuum all recessed seams and crevices thoroughly with a crevice nozzle. If the nozzle’s end is rough, put some tape around it to prevent scratching your leather.
Step 2: Spray leather cleaner on a soft brush
Next, spray leather cleaner on a soft brush and some on your leather seats as well. To be 100% safe, first test the product on a small, inconspicuous area of the seats before using it.
Spritz your leather seats evenly with leather cleaner, don’t soak them. Work the product immediately with your soft brush until it starts to softly foam. This foaming action lifts dirt from the surface. You wanna gently brush in circular motions to remove the dirt from deep within the leather’s pores.
Step 3: Wipe your car seats down with a clean, damp microfiber towel.
Moisten a microfiber towel with some tap water to wipe down your car seats. You wanna get the towel slightly moist, not wet.
Grab a fresh one when it’s dirty. Chances are that your towel will turn brown/grayish fast. That’s a good indication, meaning that the product is doing its job removing the dirt.
Step 4: Wipe the seats down with clean, dry microfiber towels to remove any remaining moisture.
Step 5: Asses the result
Repeat the process until you’re satisfied. Most car seats only need one pass, others need a couple. It all depends on the state they’re in.
Step 6: Apply leather conditioner to the seats
Next, apply leather conditioner to the seats, using an applicator sponge. Again, to be 100% safe, first test the product on a small, inconspicuous area of the seats before using it.
The leather conditioner will rejuvenate your leather, help to restore the leather’s natural shine and protect it from damage.You can apply a product to achieve a luxury satin gloss or a modern matte look, depending on your personal taste.
Work your conditioner of choice into the leather seats with the applicator sponge. You wanna make sure to cover all areas evenly. Work the product into the seams and recesses too.
Step 7: Buff the seats with a microfiber towel
Finally, use clean, dry microfiber towels to remove any excess conditioner.
Great job!
Conclusion:
By regularly cleaning and conditioning your leather car seats, they will keep looking their best and maintain their luxurious appearance. Just following these easy steps will protect your leather upholstery from drying and cracking. It won’t discolor either because these specialized products protect against UV damage too.
FAQ:
What products do I need to clean my leather car seats?
You will need leather cleaner, leather conditioner, microfiber towels, an applicator sponge, a soft brush, and a vacuum with an upholstery attachment and a crevice attachment.
Can I use a household cleaning product on my leather seats?
No, it’s best to use leather care products, because they are specially formulated to gently clean and protect without harming your leather. Using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on leather can cause irreversible damage. First test the cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area of the seats before using it.
How often should I clean and condition my leather car seats?
Generally, cleaning and conditioning your leather car seats every few months is recommended. However, it will depend on your individual driving habits and the conditions in which you use your car. If the seats are often used and exposed to dirt, grime and UV or if you have pets or kids, you will probably need to clean and condition them more often.
Is it necessary to vacuum the seats before cleaning them?
Yes, because if you remove large debris and dirt with a vacuum cleaner before you clean your car seats, the cleaning process will be easier and more effective. First use the upholstery nozzle. Afterwards vacuum recessed seams and crevices with a crevice nozzle. If the end of the nozzle is rough, first put some tape around it to avoid scratching the leather.
