How to Care for Leather Seats

Leather seating is a premium option in vehicles and one many automotive consumers hanker after. When you have a vehicle with leather upholstery, it’s important to care for it properly. Learning how to care for leather seats is really quite simple—read on for a breakdown of the necessary steps!

Caring for Your Leather Seats

Leather seating should be cleaned and conditioned regularly to keep it in good shape. The following steps should be followed when caring for your car’s leather seats (NOTE: Read your vehicle’s instruction manual before applying any products to the upholstery):

• Cleaning Your Seats: First, vacuum the seats in your vehicle to remove dirt and debris; you can also use compressed air to remove dirt from the perforated areas of the leather and from crevices. Next, spray a microfiber towel with leather cleaner, saddle soap, or another mild leather detergent and wipe down the seating surfaces (again, check your vehicle manual first for any special upholstery care instructions). Avoid getting water or cleanser in the holes of any perforated sections of the leather. Once the surface dirt is removed, spray the cleaner directly onto the leather and use a soft-bristle brush to deep clean it. (If you have perforated leather, spray the cleaner onto the brush bristles rather than directly onto the seats.) Wipe the seats with a microfiber cloth.
• Conditioning Your Seats: Find a high-quality leather conditioner that is water-based, pH-neutral, and doesn’t contain silicone, waxes, or petroleum distillates. Follow the product directions to do a spot test on an inconspicuous area to make sure the conditioner doesn’t discolor or damage the leather on your seats. Apply the leather conditioner to your seats and use a sponge or microfiber cloth to massage it in. Park your car out of the sun and let the conditioner sit for at least an hour. Keep the car in the shade or a garage, and let the conditioner set in overnight. Finish the job the next day by buffing the leather seats with a clean microfiber cloth. (NOTE: While seats should be cleaned regularly, you should only deep clean them a few times per year.)

To peruse a wide array of gorgeous vehicles stocked with various amenities, including leather seats, visit Tamaroff Nissan or contact us today. A member of our team will be glad to show you the various options within our inventory, set you up on a test drive, and even help you obtain financing.