Overview
Car leather upholstery adds value to the vehicle. It makes your car look aesthetically pleasing and luxurious. However, if not properly maintained or cleaned, these leather car seats might become a source of embarrassment.
It is quite common for people to pay exquisite attention to the cleaning of their car’s exterior. However, the same cannot be said about interiors. People often wait for months before getting their upholstery clean because they are under the impression that they cannot manage the task themselves.
This is far from reality. If you want clean leather car seats, there is not much you will need. The right cleaning material will make things easier for you and also save a ton of money.
Some tips of value for clean leather car seats
If you are under the misconception that you can only get clean leather car seats by getting the vehicle cleaned professionally, let us clear things out. You can clean the seats yourself as well, provided you know the right method to do so. Here are some useful videos that will guide you on how you can clean your car seats to perfection.
Let us share some valuable tips that can help you in the endeavor.
Tip no.1: use a high-quality all-purpose cleaner
This is something most people are apprehensive about. While everyone wants clean leather car seats, they are reluctant to use cleaners due to fear of chemicals’ effects. This fear is not unwarranted. However, you should endeavor to use a high-quality cleaner meant specifically for car leather.
It is also a good idea to test the cleaner before applying it on your leather seats. Use some of the cleaner on a small part of your seat that is not very visible and make sure that it is safe for use.
Another method of using a cleaner is to spray it on a cleaning cloth to wipe the car leather seat. This will allow you to gauge the effects of the cleaner accurately.
Take a close look at the ingredients of the cleaner. Avoid using those products that comprise toxic and harmful chemicals since they would do more harm than good.
If you are reluctant to use commercial cleaners, you have the option of making your own cleaning solution. All that you have to do is mix liquid dishwashing soap with some warm water in a ratio of 5:1. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the seat surfaces with the solution.
Tip no. 2: use soft scrub brushes
If your leather seat has accumulated a significant amount of dirt, a car leather cleaning brush can do the trick.
It is advisable to use a gentle scrub brush to clean leather car seat if you want to ensure that no damage is inflicted on it. If the brush bristles are stiff and hard, they might leave marks on the leather, which would spoil the whole look.
Avoid cleaning the seat with excessive pressure. Instead, start scrubbing gently before increasing the pressure gradually as per the requirement as you proceed.
While cleaning or applying any cleaner, it will be better if you use a microfiber cloth. These are soft, and thus you will not have to worry about the leather surface getting scratched.
Tip no. 3: thorough vacuuming can make things easier
Before you apply any cleaner or liquid to the car seat, you might want to vacuum thoroughly. This will get rid of the dirt and grime. Thus, when you start scrubbing to clean the car, the grime will not scratch the leather.
Tip no. 4: work in sections
Cleaning of car leather seats is a time-consuming task. If you try to hasten things up, you might end up damaging the leather. Therefore, only undertake the job if you have the time for it and are willing to put in the effort.
Clean the seats in small sections and go slowly. This reduces the risk of discoloration. If you are in a hurry, you might end up scrubbing one area harder than the rest. This might lead to discoloration developing in your car leather seats in particular areas, which would look quite unappealing.
Tip no. 5: thorough drying is mandatory
In your earnest to get clean leather car seats, do not saturate the surface with excessive water. This will result in the water seeping into the cushions and also staining the leather. Damp the cleaning cloth with an adequate amount of water, but do not make it excessively wet.
Furthermore, do not allow the saturated solution to remain on the seats for a prolonged duration. The cleaning solution should be rubbed with a cloth until it is adequately absorbed to ensure that stains do not form. The car seat should be appropriately dried following the cleaning.
Tip no. 6: regular cleaning saves time
If you ensure that your car leather seats are cleaned periodically and remain well-maintained, you would not have to worry about dirt accumulating on them. Therefore, ensure that the car seats are cleaned monthly. If you clean the car seats regularly, it will not take you as much time and effort compared to when you do it once in a blue moon.
At the same time, prevent any staining on the leather seats. In case something spills on the seat, wipe it off instantly. You can use items like baking soda to get rid of tough stains timely.
Conclusion
Everyone wishes to ensure they have clean leather car seats. However, they are unsure of how to go about the whole process. As a rule, you can start slowly and use gentle cleaning methods before moving onto some aggressive techniques.
The right products and methods will ensure that your car leather seats look as good as new for a long time to come. You wouldn’t have to replace them anytime soon. Do not try cost-cutting while purchasing products for cleaning the car seats. Think of long-term results. If you buy low-quality cleaners or brushes, it would be detrimental to the leather. Therefore, invest in quality products and get clean leather car seats that will impress one and all.