How to Clean Leather Car Seats Safely

Leather car seats provide a more luxurious driving experience in Gastonia, but if you want your leather seats to be as supple in five years as they were the day you bought your vehicle, it’s important to practice proper leather seat care. Learning how to clean leather car seats isn’t difficult, you just need to know what products are safe to use and what products to avoid. With that said, keep reading to learn how to clean car seats made from leather or leatherette with Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet! Our service team has the tips and tricks you can trust. 

How to Clean Car Seats of Leather: Four Steps

It’s a good idea to bring your car in for a full detailing service once per year to keep the interior in excellent condition, but when you’re cleaning your car outside your home in Concord, here’s how to clean leather car seats:

1. First, use a soft vacuum attachment to get into the crevices of your seats and lift out any dust, dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and other debris. 
2. After a thorough vacuuming, you can apply a pH-neutral cleaning solution to the leather upholstery. If you have perforated seats, you will want to be careful not to let the cleaner seep into the perforations. 
3. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth and a soft-bristled brush to lightly clean the leather.
4. After you clean the leather, follow up with a manufacturer-approved leather conditioner. Apply the conditioner to the seats, then gently buff it in with another clean, dry microfiber cloth. Leather conditioner helps prevent the dryness and cracking that can occur on leather seats over time. 

What Products Are Safe for Leather Seat Care?

Your car’s manual might include a list of products that are safe to use on its leather seats. Or, if your seats are a certain type of leather, the distributor might have product recommendations you can follow. Generally, you can feel safe cleaning your car’s leather with soft colorless cloths and warm water mixed with a special leather cleaner or a very mild, odorless soap. 

What Products Are Not Safe for Leather Seat Care? 

As you learn how to clean your leather car seats, it’s important that you know what products to avoid at all costs. These include: 

• Colored (dyed) rags 
• Brushes with sharp bristles 
• Products designed for household cleaning (those that include ammonia or other harsh chemicals)
• Detergent 
• Furniture polish

More Leather Seat Care Tips 

1. It never hurts to have a small bottle of your preferred leather cleaner in your car at all times, along with a few clean microfiber cloths. That way, if a major spill happens on the road, you can clean it up before it stains. 
2. If possible, keep your car parked in a garage or a covered spot to avoid long exposure to extreme temperatures. 
3. When you’re out and about in Rock Hill, SC, always park in a shaded spot when you can. The sun’s rays can bleach your leather seats and dry them out. 

Keep Your Car in Great Condition with Our Help! 

Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet has the tips and advice you need to keep your car looking great in Charlotte. Contact us for more information, or schedule an appointment at our service department if you need help getting rid of a scratch or dent on your car.