How to clean and nourish a leather surface? There is a vide variety of agents available on the market, but you should choose wisely. Depending on which solution you choose, it will not only affect the final appearance of the leather, but also its overall condition.
One of the signs that a car owner takes their car care seriously is a neat and well-maintained leather upholstery. So, what should you use to clean the leather in your car? Find out in our guide!
What leather types are there?
Before learning about the best ways to clean and maintain leather, first learn about the types of leather most commonly used inside the cars. The most commonly used natural and synthetic materials for car interior trim (e.g. door trims or decorative inserts on the dashboard) include natural leather, suede, and nubuck.
Car upholstery made from natural leather is most often found in high-end vehicles. The leather comes in many colours – the most popular are those in light tones. Some people, however, expect their light-coloured leather to be more prone to dirtying, and therefore pragmatically choose the darker option. Meanwhile, cleaning light-coloured leather – provided you have the right agents and accessories – is simple, effortless, and enjoyable. Keep in mind that natural leather upholstery requires different agents than those used to clean other types of automotive upholstery, e.g. plain fabric upholstery or alcantara.
Speaking of which, alcantara car upholstery, although not of natural origin, has become a popular replacement for natural leathers and suede thanks to its striking and elegant look. Alcantara upholstery is best cleaned with professional detailing products. You can also use a steam cleaner to wash car upholstery. This material is very easy to keep in clean condition.
What do you use to clean the leather in your car?
First, choose the necessary cleaning products and get yourself some accessories to help you carry out a thorough cleaning of your leather upholstery. What to prepare?
- AVacuum cleaner with a soft bristle nozzle (or a one that won't scratch the leather),
- A soft, detailing brush to clean the leather,
- AClean microfibre cloth
- Leather and upholstery cleaners
Remember, that leather inside the cars isn't only just on the seats! In many cars you will also find leather elements on the dashboard or near the gearshift lever. To care for leather comprehensively, consider getting yourself two types of products:
- cleaning agents – foams, liquid cleaners,
- maintenance preparations – sprays, pastes, etc.
Remember that many of the leather cleaning products are not suitable for suede and nubuck upholstery. Gentle foams and sprays, rather than pastes and creams, will work better for these types of leather.
Cleaning leather upholstery – what to look out for?
Once you've got all your products and accessories sorted out, you will have to learn about how to carry out a thorough, multi-step cleaning process. The tasks at hand might differ based on the amount of leather elements inside the car, the type of leather used, or the specific aspects of cleaning a given type of leather, usually stated by the car manufacturer. At any rate, it's worth to consider this workflow:
1. Vacuuming the interior of the vehicle.
2. Applying cleaning agents.
3. Remove cleaning agent residue with a microfibre cloth or sponge.
4. Use of nourishing agents.
5. Optionally, polishing the products into the leather (if the given product requires it).
How to avoid damaging your leather upholstery when cleaning? Remember to not scrub the surfaces too hard, and don't use hard accessories (they may scratch the leather). When cleaning your seats, keep in mind that they are usually the most visible leather part of the interior, so take care of every inch of their surface to prevent discolouration and stains. Use only professional detailing products of trusted brands.
Protection of leather in the car after cleaning
Now that you know how to clean the leather in your car, it is worth paying special attention to the subject of leather protection. Protecting leather upholstery with a special agent or a coating prolongs the life of natural leather. Consider this type of product if you want your leather upholstery to:
- become less prone to moisture absorption,
- keep its naturally matte finish for longer,
- be more resistant to everyday use and dirt,
- be more supple and moisturized,
- have its lifespan and condition boosted.
Is your leather interior clean, well-nourished and protected? How about taking care of the car's exterior? While you're at it, our products for paintwork, glass, tyres and wheels are waiting for you:
