A leather interior provides the luxury look and new car smell that attracts many car buyers. And although more expensive than cloth, and requiring a higher level of maintenance, leather has many advantages too. Among therm, its smooth, non-porous surface makes it difficult for common allergens to accumulate and stick, so unlike cloth, you won’t have to worry about leather causing allergies or triggering asthma. Other than that, leather maintains its high resale value, enabling you to get up to half of the original cost back, as long as the seats are still in good condition.
When it comes to maintenance, between inevitable stains, spills, and pulls, your car’s leather seats are fairly easy to care for, as long as you act fast. And while we recommend that you keep your car away from direct sunlight and sharp objects, in this guide, we’ll share a complete set of tips to clean and protect your leather seats, so you won’t have to deal with the damage that comes from neglect. Other than following these 5 recommendations, we also suggest that you check some trusted car care reviews, to be able to compare products, and choose the best ones for your car.
- Clean The Leather Regularly
To extend the life of your leather seats and keep them looking fresh, you need to perform regular cleaning on them. And keeping dust from building up is the best preventative cleaning measure. For best results, use a soft, microfiber cloth and keep away from abrasive brushes or scrubbers that can scratch and damage the leather.
- Use A Car Cover To Protect Your Car From Direct Sunlight
Check out some trusted car cover reviews and pick one too for your vehicle. If you didn’t know by now, leaving your car outside under direct sunlight will not only damage the paint but also its interior. The sun’s harmful UV rays will dry out the leather, causing cracks in the material, as well as fade the color. Protecting leather seats with a car cover can help prevent this situation from happening.
- Clean Spills And Spots Immediately
To tackle stains or spills, dip a clean, damp washcloth in warm soapy water and use it to wipe away the stain on your leather. Darker stains, like those caused by ink or your jeans rubbing against the seat, can be removed with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. One thing you need to make sure of though is that you apply the swab directly on the spot, so that the alcohol doesn’t spread the stain.
- Vacuum To Remove Dust And Dirt
All materials build up some dirt and debris and leather is no exception. Before you introduce cleaners, it’s a good idea to vacuum up dust and dirt particles that may have accumulated on the surface. Use your vacuum’s hose attachment with a soft bristled brush and gently run it across the entire surface of the seats and back couch and don’t forget to vacuum also between joints, and in crevices.
- Apply Leather Conditioner
To treat specific distressed areas but also to re-moisturize the leather, apply conditioner cream with a clean cloth. A good leather conditioner penetrates deep to protect new leather, and rejuvenate dry and old leather.
We hope you learned something today! If you’re looking for more tips on how to protect your car and keep it looking fresh, you can take a look at this Nexgen ceramic spray review to learn how a ceramic spray will be your car’s new best friend.
