How to Clean Leather Car Seats

While vinyl seats are prized for their durability and low maintenance, nothing compares to the unparalleled beauty and supple comfort of leather seats. They add undeniable luxury to any vehicle and enhance your drives in San Jose, Los Angeles, or wherever the road takes you. To keep your seats looking and functioning their best, you’ll need to know how to clean leather car seats safely and effectively. Let Cartelligent show you how below.

How to Clean Leather Car Seats in 4 Easy Steps

Here are the four basic steps involved in how to clean leather car seats:

1. With a handheld vacuum or the wand attachment of your vacuum cleaner, remove dirt, dust, crumbs, and other fine particles that may have accumulated on your seats. Be sure to get into the crevices. 
2. Next, apply a pH-neutral cleaning solution to the leather. Don’t let the solution get into any perforations or punctures in the seat.
3. With a soft microfiber cloth or soft-bristled brush, lightly work the cleaning solution into the leather.
4. Once clean, apply a leather conditioner that is safe for your type of leather seats. Work the conditioner in with a microfiber cloth, let it dry, then buff the seats with a separate, clean microfiber cloth.

Leather Seat Care Tools and Tips

In between the more intensive cleanings detailed above, some occasional spot-cleaning will extend the beauty and longevity of your leather seats. A damp rag is ideal; for tougher spots, use a mild soap. Choose white rags and cloths whenever possible, as this will minimize the risk of discoloration to your leather seats.

Just as it’s important to know the right tools to use, you should also be aware of the tools and products to avoid for optimal leather seat care. Never use sharp cleaning tools, household cleaners, furniture polish, or detergent on your leather seats.

Store a small travel bottle of leather cleaning solution and a few clean cloths in your vehicle for on-the-spot cleaning when you’re away from home. Try to park in well-shaded areas, like your Orange County garage or under a full-canopied tree, to prevent the sun from discoloring the leather. 

Find a Vehicle with Leather Car Seats at Cartelligent

Now that you know how to clean leather car seats, you can take care of your vehicle and keep the seats in like-new condition in the years ahead. Whether you’re in the market for a new luxury vehicle with leather or vinyl seats, Cartelligent is here to help you find the perfect option for your busy lifestyle. Get started with the car-buying process today!