Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Clean the car seats
• Part 2 of 2: Use a leather conditioner
• Tips
• Warnings

It's quite easy and common to slightly neglect the interior of your car, especially when it comes to keeping the seats and rear seats clean. However, it is important to maintain the leather seats properly. This is to keep your car in optimal condition. You will need to regularly remove surface dirt, clean the leather and apply conditioner. It may sound like a chore, but the steps to be taken are actually quite simple and if you go through them regularly, cleaning the chairs is a breeze.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Clean the car seats

1. Check your car's seats for holes. If there are perforations in the seats, make sure that no water, detergent or air freshener gets in.
   • Consult your car's manual. Read the manual before cleaning the seats with cleaning products. The manual will include specific instructions that explain how to maintain the leather upholstery. It will also list products that you should avoid using.
2. Vacuum the seats. Use a vacuum hose with an extra attachment to vacuum even the smallest dirt particles. Be extremely careful not to damage the leather. You can also use an air compressor to blow the dirt out of the seats.
3. Remove dirt from the upholstery. If the seats are really dirty you will see a layer of dirt on the leather. Although seats that appear clean are also often dirty, due to accumulated dust and dirt over time. Spray a suitable cleaning agent on a microfiber cloth and wipe the seats with it. Use a leather cleaner, saddle soap or another mild soap suitable for leather.
   • You can choose to use a commercial cleaner specifically for leather chairs, or you can make your own. Mix white vinegar (1/3) with linseed oil (2/3) in a bowl or spray bottle.
4. Use a brush to thoroughly clean the leather. Spray the cleaner directly on the seats and use a soft brush to scrub the leather lightly. This will agitate the dirt and bring it to the surface.
   • If there are holes in the leather, do not spray the cleaner on the seats. In that case, spray it on the soft brush and use it to scrub the leather. Then dry the area with a microfiber cloth.
   EXPERT TIP

   Wipe the seats. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove the cleaner from the leather. Dirt, oil and dust will be visible on the cloth.

5. Clean your seats regularly. Provide the interior with a light cleaning every month. Try to do an intensive cleaning three to four times a year. You may want to consider doing this more often if the leather cover is light in color or if the dirt is clearly visible.

Part 2 of 2: Use a leather conditioner

1. Choose a water-based, pH-neutral conditioner. Go for a high-quality leather conditioner that does not contain oil, silicone or wax. The purpose of the conditioner is to restore and replenish the natural oils in the leather, so choose a product with high-quality ingredients. Cheaper variants may stick to the leather and leave grease.
2. Test it on a small area. Apply a small amount of conditioner to a small, hidden area. Rub it gently with a microfiber cloth or sponge. Make sure the conditioner does not damage or discolor the leather before applying it to the rest of the chair.
3. Apply the leather conditioner to the seats. Apply the conditioner using a microfiber cloth or sponge and rub in gently. Avoid overuse. An excessive amount will remain on the upholstery and will not penetrate the leather. This makes the seats greasy and slippery. When in doubt, use a microfiber cloth to remove the excess conditioner.
   • Follow the directions for use.
4. Park your car in the shade or in your garage. Give the conditioner time to soak into the leather. A large exposure to UV light should be avoided here. Give the conditioner at least an hour to soak into the leather.
5. Use a microfiber cloth to rub the seats. Once the conditioner has had a chance to soak into the leather, take a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe up the seats. Make circular movements and don't forget to remove the excess conditioner.
   • Do not apply the leather conditioner too often on the lids. Most car seats only need to be treated a few times a year.

Tips

• Cleaning and applying conditioner to the leather upholstery of your car is not a big job and should be repeated every three months.

Warnings

• Avoid using household cleaners on leather chairs, even if they are diluted. The chemicals in such products will dry out the leather, causing cracks and tears. It can also affect the protective layer, causing the leather to discolour and suddenly become susceptible to stains.
• Avoid contact of certain cleaning agents with other parts of the car. Depending on the chemical and the part of the car, the substance can cause damage to the car.