What to Use to Clean Leather Car Seats

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It's easy to neglect your car's interior, especially when it comes to keeping the seats clean. However, keeping the leather seats in great condition can really make your car stand out. You'll want to remove surface dirt, clean the leather, and condition the seats regularly. While this may sound labor intensive, the steps are actually quite simple, and when done regularly, cleaning is a breeze.

1. 1

   Check to see if your car seats have any perforated areas. If so, take care not to get water, cleanser or conditioner stuck down into the holes.^[1]

   • Consult your car manual. Before you clean or apply any products, refer to your car's owner's manual. There should be specific instructions on how to properly care for the leather upholstery, as well as products to avoid.

2. 2

   Vacuum the seats. Use a vacuum hose and attachment or wet-dry vac to suck up any large particles of dirt. Use extreme care so you don't scratch the leather. You could also use an air compressor to blow out dirt from in between the seat cracks.^[2]

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3. 3

   Remove surface dirt. If your seats are really dirty, you'll be able to see a layer of grime on the leather; however, even seemingly clean seats will have a layer of dirt and grime that's accumulated over time. Spray a microfiber towel with cleaner and wipe over the seats. Use leather cleaner, saddle soap, or another mild leather soap.^[3]

   • You can use a commercial cleaner for leather seats or make your own: Combine 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts linseed oil in a bowl or spray bottle.^[4]

4. 4

   Use a brush to deep clean the leather. Spray the cleaner directly onto your seats and use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the leather. This will agitate the dirt and bring it to the surface.

   • If you have perforated leather seats, avoid spraying cleaner onto the seats. Instead, spray the bristle brush and use it to scrub the leather. Then, wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.

5. 5

   Wipe the seats clean. Use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to wipe off the cleaning agent that you scrubbed into the leather. You should notice dirt, oil, and grime on the cloth.

6. 6

   Regularly clean your seats. While you should lightly clean your seats every month or so, try to deep clean your seats 3 to 4 times a year. You may want to do this more often if you have light-colored leather or if you begin to notice grime building up.

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1. 1

   Choose a water-based, pH neutral conditioner. Look for a high-quality leather conditioner that does not contain petroleum distillates, silicone, or waxes. The goal of the conditioner is to replenish the natural oils in the leather, so choose one with top-quality ingredients. Cheaper leather conditioners may cling to the leather and have a greasy finish.

2. 2

   Perform a spot test. Choose an inconspicuous area and apply a little conditioner. Gently rub it in using a microfiber cloth or sponge. Make sure the cleaner doesn't damage or discolor your seats.^[5]

3. 3

   Condition your seats. Apply the conditioner to the seats and use a microfiber cloth or sponge to gently massage or rub it into the leather. Avoid applying too much conditioner, which will sit on top of the leather, making the seats greasy or slick. If in doubt, take a clean dry microfiber cloth and lightly wipe over the conditioned seats to remove any excess conditioner.

   • Be sure to follow the product directions.

4. 4

   Park your car in the shade or in your garage overnight. Give the conditioner some time out of the sun so it has a chance to set in without the bombardment of UV light. Let the conditioner sit for at least one hour.

5. 5

   Use a microfiber cloth to buff the seats. Once the conditioner has had a chance to soak into the leather, take a clean dry microfiber cloth and polish the seats. Use circular motions and take care to wipe up excess conditioner.

   • Don't over-condition your leather seats. Most seats only need conditioning treatment a few times a year.

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• Question

  How do you make leather car seats look new?

  

  Chad Zani is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. Chad is based in the Los Angeles, California area and uses his passion for auto detailing to teach others how to do so as he grows his company nationwide.

  

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• Question

  How do I clean mud off leather car seats?

  

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

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  Before adding a cleanser of any sort to the mud-stained areas of the leather car seats, brush off as much of the mud as possible using a soft household brush (of the sort that comes with a dustpan), or use an old toothbrush. Sweep the mud that comes off easily into a bag or simply onto the ground outside the car. Make a mild cleanser by diluting a few drops of Dawn detergent (or similar mild detergent) in a small bucket of warm water. Dip a cleaning cloth into this mixture, wring out the water to remove as much liquid from the cloth as possible, then rub gently over the muddy parts of the seat. Rinse, then dip into the detergent mix, wring and repeat until all mud has been removed. Wipe all wet areas of the seats dry with a soft cloth or chamois, then finish with leather re-conditioner to restore the leather's condition.

• Question

  What household items can I use to clean the leather in my car?

  

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• Question

  How do I get my dog's drool off my leather seats?

  

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  Dog saliva dries into a filmy, glossy appearance on leather and is most noticeable on dark leather. To remove it, try using wipes made specifically for leather cleaning and just wipe these over the affected area. If you'd rather use a homemade solution, a little dish soap added to a lot of warm water can make a good mix, then dip a cleaning cloth in, wring it well, and wipe over the drooled-on areas to clean it off. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. Re-condition the leather if needed.

• Question

  Can you use Windex to clean leather seats?

  

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  While Windex is a fairly mild cleaner, it contains ingredients that can damage leather. For example, its alcohol content can dry out the leather, while its ammonia base can discolor the leather and weaken any plastics near the leather, such as the seat belt cases. It is best to leave the Windex for window-cleaning and use a proper leather cleaner for your car seats.

• Question

  What is best to clean white leather?

  

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  White leather can be cleaned with liquid or non-liquid cleaners. The liquid cleaner can be made by combining 1 part mild soap with 8 parts warm water, then sprayed lightly on the stain, and gently rubbed. Non-liquid cleaners include "Magic Eraser" cleaning sponges, saddle soap or cornstarch, added to the stain area, then rubbed gently. For detailed help on cleaning white leather, see How to Clean White Leather.

• Question

  How do I remove grease from my leather seats?

  

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• Question

  What will get stains out of car seats?

  

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  For cloth car seats, try ¼ cup of baking soda mixed with 1 cup of warm water and make a paste. Layer this over the stain, then let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. After, it has set, use a toothbrush to gently scrub at the stain and brush off the baking soda paste. You can also try mild laundry detergent or a commercial upholstery stain remover. For leather seats, look for a commercial leather stain remover or check out How to Clean Leather Stains for more help with removing specific types of stains.

• Question

  Can I use vinegar and water to clean leather car seats?

  

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  You can use a vinegar and water solution, provided you remove it after using it for cleaning. To make the solution, combine ¾ ratio of vinegar with ¼ ratio of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle well before using, then spray the solution over the the car seats at a short distance away. Keep the spraying light because the seats should not be soaked, as too much liquid can spoil the leather. Gently rub in the solution using a soft cloth or chamois, then wipe off with a damp soft cloth and leave the seats to air dry. It's a good idea to use a leather polish to buff up the shine afterward.

• Question

  I can't find leather conditioner in my area. What else can I use to condition my leather seats?

  

  My suggestion is to call around or look at auto parts stores. They should have or can recommend where to find a suitable product(s) in your local area. Otherwise, you can always order online.

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• Cleaning and conditioning your vehicle's leather seats doesn't take long and should be repeated at least every 3 months.

• Cleaning the seats is also a necessary step in detailing your car, particularly the interior.

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• Avoid using a household cleaner on your leather seats, even if it's diluted. The chemicals in such a cleaner will dry out the leather, causing it to crack and even tear. It can also strip the protective coating, which will cause fading and open the leather up to staining.

• Avoid contact between certain cleaners and other parts of the car. Depending on the chemical and the part of the car, the chemical can cause damage.

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Article SummaryX

To clean your leather car seats, first vacuum each seat thoroughly with a hose attachment. Use a thin vacuum attachment to reach in between any crevices and pleats in the leather. Then, check the seats for any cuts or tears. If you find any, cover them with masking tape so you don't get any cleaner inside of your seats. Next, liberally spray your seats with a cleaner designed specifically for leather. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part olive oil. Scrub your leather seats with a soft-bristled brush to work the cleaner into them and remove any dirt and grime. Next, get a non-abrasive scrub pad and wipe each seat thoroughly with the broad side of the pad to lift up any dirt or crumbs you knocked up with the brush. Finally, wipe your seats with a microfiber cloth to remove any leftover cleaner. Let your car air out by opening the doors or windows for around 30 minutes. If you want to learn how to protect your leather seats in between cleanings, keep reading!

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What to Use to Clean Leather Car Seats

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