Leather car seats add a magical touch of class to a car’s interior. Irrespective of the leather type, it exudes luxury and attractiveness. But, only the right care will make them look classy for a long time. That’s why it’s necessary to know how to clean leather car seats for proper maintenance.
Leather upholstery is great but can accumulate dirt that dims the luster and begin to crack when you don’t clean it often. Now, this guide will show you how to clean leather car seats to remove dirt, avoid scratches from rough objects, and thus protect the leather.
How to Clean Leather Car Seat Step by Step
Cleaning leather car seats is not that critical and if the process is broken down into steps, the task becomes fun. Here you go.
Step One
Gather your Supplies: The first step to making leather car seats look clean is to gather all the materials and equipment you need. Getting them together where you can reach them easily will make the job faster and less stressful.
The equipment and materials you need:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Soft brush
- Some microfiber towels
- Water
- Leather cleaner
- Leather conditioner
Now that you’ve gathered everything you need, you can get right into getting dirt off your leather car seat.
Step Two
Vacuum Clean: It is necessary to use a vacuum cleaner to suck up dust, loose dirt, food particles, and other abrasive materials. Vacuuming the car before applying a cleaner will ensure that you don’t rub rough materials into the leather surface which could cause scratches and damage.
Step Three
Apply a Leather Cleaner: Next is to use leather cleaner. Please, ensure you buy products that are best for cleaning leather car seats. If you’ll be using a particular product for the first time, it is essential to do a spot test by applying it to a small, hidden area of the leather seat.
Such a test will help you check for any reaction before using the product; if all seems well, then you can spread the cleaner to other parts of the seats. Apply the cleaner to a section of the seats you can work on per time and let it sit for two minutes.
Then, gently massage it with the soft brush for 2 minutes to loosen the dirt off the leather; wipe the area dry with a clean microfiber towel or cloth, and repeat the process for other parts of the seat until you have cleaned all the car seats.
Do the car seats have holes? Here’s how to clean leather car seats with holes; apply your leather seat cleaner to a soft brush and not directly on the seats. Use the brush to work on the seat surface; wipe it with a wet cloth first, then dry it with a dry microfiber towel.
This method of not applying the leather cleaner directly to the seat also works if you’re looking for how to clean urine from a perforated leather car seat. But, you’ll have to apply a small quantity of an enzymatic cleaner on the urine spot after cleaning, and then wipe it dry.
Step Four
Finish Up with a Leather Conditioner: After drying the seats properly with a dry towel, next is to protect your car seat leather by applying a leather conditioner. Apply the conditioner to the leather seats and use a soft cloth to work it using circular movements.
Let it sit and soak in for some minutes, then get a clean microfiber cloth to buff it and wipe off any excess from the seat surface.
Step Five
Let it Set: Now, that the car is thoroughly clean, you should leave the seats to set and dry in a cool place such as the garage for an hour or more before driving it out.
Aside from store-bought leather cleaners, you can use household products to clean your leather seats. So, here are tips on how to clean leather car seats at home using some household products.
Soap and Water: Cleaning leather car seats with soap and water works well as the ready-made leather cleaners in stores. Mix 5 parts warm water with 1 part liquid dishwashing soap in a spray bottle and apply it as your cleaner when cleaning your leather car seats.
Baking Soda: This household product is excellent if you’re looking for how to clean leather car seat stains from grease and oil. Sprinkle some baking soda on the spot with the stain, use a damp cloth to rub it in, and leave it overnight to allow the soda to absorb the stain.
Next is to wipe off the baking soda using a microfiber towel. Use a wet towel to scrub off the rest, and dry off with a soft dry cloth; then, apply a conditioner to protect the seat from future stains.
Rubbing Alcohol: Also known as isopropyl alcohol, this household product can help when you need to remove ink stains and other stains from leather seats. Put a cotton swab into the rubbing alcohol and rub it on the stain to make it come off.
Once you remove the stain, dip a soft cloth in soap and warm water solution and use it to wipe the area. Then, let it dry.
Vinegar: This product is good if you’re looking for how to clean vomit from the leather car seats, as it helps remove the stain and odor. Here is how to clean leather car seats with vinegar solution; combine vinegar and linseed oil at a 1:2 ratio and apply some of it to your leather seat.
Then, scrub with a soft brush to lift the stains. Dip a soft cloth into a soap and water solution and use it to wipe off the seat surface. Dry it complete with a dry, microfiber towel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the best leather car seat cleaner and conditioner?
There are many good leather car seat cleaners and conditioners in the stores. The best brands will be the ones that are safe on leather and doesn’t cause stain on bright colors.
Some of the brands that users trust include Leather Honey cleaner and conditioner, Chemical Guys leather cleaner and conditioner, Weiman leather cleaner and conditioner, Adam’s leather care kit, and lots more.
Q: What should you not put on a leather car seat?
Don’t use leather cleaners that contain ammonia or bleach to avoid damaging your leather seat. You should also avoid using products that contain silicones, waxes, and petroleum on your leather car seats; these agents can ruin the leather.
Q: How do you make leather seats look new?
The best thing to make leather seats look new is to clean them often and condition them when necessary. Protect the leather from the sun, use seat covers to protect from daily stains and use, then do repairs quickly when the problem is still small to avoid making it big.
Q: Can you clean leather seats with soap and water?
Yes, soap and water solution is excellent for cleaning leather seats. It is mild on the leather and is effective in removing dirt. Combine warm water with some dishwashing liquid. Apply the solution to your leather seats and scrub gently with a brush with soft bristles.
Clean with a damp microfiber towel, then clean again with a dry, soft cloth. Leave the seat for hours to dry before use. You can also try this solution if you want to know how to clean blood out of leather car seats at home.
Q: Can you use vinegar to clean leather car seats?
Yes, vinegar is a good homemade remedy for cleaning leather car seats. It is excellent for cleaning stains and spills. You can combine vinegar and linseed oil, vinegar, and olive oil, or vinegar and warm water and use it as a leather cleaner. Try to apply conditioner to the seats after cleaning.
Q: What household items can I use to clean the leather in my car?
The household items you can use for car seat leather cleaning include:
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Water and dishwashing liquid
- Rubbing alcohol
- Coconut oil
Q: What is the best way to clean cream leather car seats?
You can clean cream leather car seats by using a store-bought leather cleaner or preparing a mild-warm water and soap solution. Use clean white or cream-colored cloths for wiping to avoid color staining. Also, do a spot test for conditioner before applying it to the entire seat.
Q: Can you clean the leather with water?
You can clean leather with a solution of dish soap and water or vinegar and water. Water is free of chemicals and easy to use. Spray the solution to the leather surface, scrub with a soft brush, and clean off with a microfiber towel. However, ensure you don’t apply excess water to avoid molds.
Q: What is a good homemade leather conditioner?
A good homemade leather conditioner keeps the leather soft and protects it from stains and cracks. You can make one by combining warm water, baby soap, and some drops of vinegar.
You may also combine cocoa butter, beeswax, and sweet almond oil. Another homemade leather conditioner you can try is dropping about ten drops of lemon essential oil on a soft cloth and using it to massage the leather.
Final Words
Cleaning regularly and other car seat cares will help you to enjoy the comfort of your leather car seats for a long time. Following this guide on how to clean leather car seats will make the cleaning and maintenance of your leather car seat easy and fun.
Make the sheen of your leather car seats longer than usual.
