How Should You Clean Leather Car Seats?

Leather products date all the way back to 3000 BC when Romans used leather sails for their boats. Leather then evolved into a material used for tents, weapons, and furniture.

It wasn’t until way later that leather was used as a seating material in cars. If you have organic leather car seats, you’ll want to take good care of them.

Keep reading to learn how to clean leather car seats.

Vacuum Your Seats

The first step to cleaning leather car seats is vacuuming. A dustbuster-style handheld vacuum will come in handy during this process. If you don’t have this type of vacuum, use the dust brush on your regular vacuum.

Dust and dirt can rub against your leather seats and cause abrasions and damage to the surface. This is why it’s so important to vacuum before completing any other step.

Use a Leather Cleaner

There are specific products on the market made for cleaning leather. You can use DIY products, but manufactured cleaning products made for leather tend to be better.

Use the solution of your choosing in moderation. If you are using a product for the first time, test it in a small, hidden place. You’ll want to make sure your leather cleaner doesn’t react negatively with your seats.

After testing it, apply it to the car seats based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Ask your local detailer about which cleaning supplies are best for your car.

If you prefer a DIY option, a simple mixture of white vinegar and water can do the trick.

You can go the soap and warm water route too, but make sure you use a moisturizing soap. Moisturizing products can prevent organic leather from drying out.

Wipe With a Microfiber Cloth

You can’t learn how to clean leather without learning the importance of a microfiber cloth. These cloths are soft enough to prevent damage while cleaning car seats.

Once your seats are lathered with your leather cleaner, wipe the formula off with a damp microfiber cloth.

You don’t want your cloth to be too damp. Excess water can stain your car seats. If you end up using too much water on your first go around, use a second microfiber cloth to quickly clean up the excess moisture.

Apply a Leather Conditioner

Now that you know about removing stains with a leather cleaner, you can protect your seat from future stains with a leather conditioner.

Apply your leather conditioner with a clean microfiber cloth. Let the conditioner sit for 10 minutes. Use a new microfiber cloth to blot the surface of your leather seats to remove excess product.

Try not to use your vehicle after you use a leather conditioner. Let your car dry for at least an hour before you use it. A three to four-hour drying period is recommended if you can wait that long.

Leather Car Seats: Hire a Detailer!

Cleaning leather car seats is a simple process, but not every vehicle owner has the time or products necessary.

You’ll get the best overall car cleaning when you hire a detailer. Auto detailing technicians know the ins and outs of cleaning various seat materials, and can even come to you!

Get a free quote from Detail Time today to learn which detailing package is best for your car.