Leather car seats are a luxurious feature that adds value and comfort to your vehicle, and should be properly maintained to maintain their appearance. Leather car surfaces and seats are extremely susceptible to extreme temperatures, and when improperly maintained, can suffer cracking and loss of essential oils. To prolong the life of your leather seats, follow the below steps:
- Block the sunlight by placing a sun blocker in your windshield when your car is parked. Blocking direct sunlight from your seats prevents discoloration and drying.
- Vacuum any loose material from leather seats using soft vacuum extensions.
- Clean leather seats only with old t-shirts or cotton fabric ñ never paper towels.
- Crack the windows in the summer to keep the heat inside your car moderate, to prevent drying and cracking.
- Clean the seats with a mild soap and water mixture, or leather cleaner. Cleaners will wash leftover salts and grime from seats.
- After cleaning seats, apply conditioner to leather to restore and maintain any lost oils. Use a soft cotton cloth and work it into the leather, allow about 30 minutes for absorption, and then buff off the excess. Apply conditioner three to four times a year. If leather fibers do not absorb excess conditioner, the seats do not need conditioning.
For more tips on car maintenance, contact Wiygul Automotive Clinic. Providing complete foreign and domestic repair service to Northern Virginia since 1986, Wiygul Automotive Clinic is a AAA-approved center for auto repair and maintenance.
