How to Clean Leather Car Seats

If you have leather upholstery in your used car and you enjoy DIY auto maintenance or cleaning in general, Autobahn Jaguar Fort Worth Certified Pre-Owned & Service has some tips for you. Find out how to clean and condition your leather car seats to make sure they last for a long time to come on Dallas-Fort Worth roads. Contact your local authorized Jaguar retailer if you have any questions!

Steps for Leather Car Seat Cleaning

Cleaning Supplies 

1. One of the following solutions: saddle soap, mild leather soap, leather cleaner, or a mixture of 1 part white vinegar/2 parts linseed oil
2. Interior brush (soft-bristled, NOT a stiff carpet brush)
3. Microfiber towels

Instructions:

1. Before purchasing any cleaning supplies, look in your owner’s manual to see if they mention any products that you should or shouldn’t use on your seats.
2. Vacuum the seats gently to remove bigger dirt and particles, trying not to scratch the leather. Smaller attachments or even an air compressor are good for getting into the cracks of the seats and between the seats.
3. If your car has perforated leather seats, be sure to spray any cleaning solution onto the towel and not onto the seats directly to avoid getting excess moisture inside the seats.
4. To remove surface dirt and oils, spray your leather cleaner on a clean microfiber towel and wipe the seats.
5. To get out stains or more stubborn dirt, spray cleaner onto a soft-bristle brush and gently scrub the surface.
6. Wipe the seats with a clean and dry microfiber towel, and let the seats dry before sitting down again.

How to Condition Leather Car Seats

The regular application of leather conditioner helps to prevent cracks and dryness while preserving the softness of the leather.

1. Before purchasing a leather conditioner, check the ingredients–make sure there are only natural ingredients, avoiding things like petroleum distillates, waxes, and silicones.
2. Apply a small amount of conditioner on a clean microfiber cloth.
3. Work the conditioner gently into the leather in circles.
4. Make sure the conditioner soaks into the leather fully (about an hour) before touching the upholstery.
5. Keep the seats out of the sun while the conditioner is absorbing into the seats, so it can fully absorb without drying up prematurely.
6. Once the seats have fully absorbed the conditioner, gently buff them with a new microfiber cloth.

More Leather Care Tips

1. Keep microfiber cloths and cleaning solution in your car to clean your seats of dust, spills and debris as they appear. This will prevent long-term damage to your car interior.
2. If you have a garage, store your vehicle in it as much as possible. Protecting your vehicle from exposure to extreme temperatures may prolong the life of the leather.
3. When driving around the DFW area, park your car in the shade as much as possible to reduce sun bleaching or sun damage to the seats.

Maintain Your Vehicle With Help From Autobahn Jaguar Fort Worth Certified Pre-Owned & Service

If you’d rather leave your vehicle maintenance to the professionals, rely on the Jaguar-certified technicians at Autobahn Jaguar Fort Worth Certified Pre-Owned & Service. Schedule service near Dallas-Fort Worth, then get more luxury car care tips from our knowledgeable staff!