How To Protect Leather Seats In Car?

Whether you are on a long fresh road trip or taking your everyday commute, there is nothing better than sitting in a plush leather car seat while driving toward your destination. That is why people are willing to pay extra attention to the issue of how to protect leather seats in car and are passionate about ensuring the best possible methods for maintaining these seats.

Things May Ruin Your Leather Seats In Car

Leather is a somewhat luxurious material for a car interior or any other decorated item. But unfortunately, it is much more susceptible to everyday wear and tear or damage from exposure to the sun. Leather in cars is subjected to high temperatures and UV damage that can cause cracking, splitting, shrinkage and discoloration. One of the most common causes of damage to leather is human-body contact. Because over time, body oils and perspiration can cause severe damage to the leather surfaces and give off unpleasant smells.

With that said, below are some of the most common problems that happen to leather seats in the car.

Exposure to the sunlight

Leather’s arch-nemesis is that big bright ball in the sky, the sun. Too much exposure to direct sunlight can not only affect the color of your leather but also cause damaged leather that looks old and worn. Keep note if your leather seats are exposed to sunlight daily through a window, or if the sunlight beams through your car windows, the seats can very quickly be worn.

Cleaning stains not right away after spilling the seats

It happens, from time to time, you or someone else might spill something on your leather car seats. If you do not take care to clean it right away, the stain can become permanent. A good leather restoration kit will have a protectant or other leather cleaning items that can help you clean the stain without damaging the leather, as products with harsh chemicals.

Use harsh chemicals and soaps to clean your leather seats

Products with harsh soaps, detergents, and chemicals can result in damaged leather rather than clean leather. Look for specially made leather cleaning solutions and leather restoration kits to make sure that you are taking care of your car seats or leather properly–other products. Using unsuitable or unrecommended cleaning solutions just to clean a piece of hard-to-get-at-first grime can cause dry, cracked, dull leather.

Damage from debris

If you let your car get dirty, it will make it easier for the leather to become worn down. It is important to regularly vacuum your seats to remove crumbs, dirt, and other outside debris. Every time you sit on something hard or in your car, it will rub into the leather seat, causing additional damage.

Natural wear and tear

Nonetheless, leather is one of the most versatile materials for car seats. Moreover, it is also a timeless textile that can easily pair well and look good with any material type while also having the reputation of being durable over time.

But, truth to be told, it does not matter how strong leather is because eventually it will still get worn out, just like any fabric or material out there (but at a slower rate). If you are someone who loves your leather goods and wants to keep them in pristine condition as long as possible, then you need to know the causes of such leather wear and tear, so that you can undertake precautionary measures beforehand.

Too much heat

Keeping the car always warm is nice and comforting. But if you have got your leather car seats exposed to a too-high car temperature and too close to a heating vent, you could wind up with damaged leather. Keep the heat from heating vents not too high, and again, park cars in shady spots or the garage.

How To Protect Leather Seats In Car

As the leather can be very delicate and vulnerable to damage, it is necessary to clean and protect your leather car seats and upholstery once every three months to prevent your leather from cracking or fading in the sun. Using suitable and optimal leather protection will keep your leather new and avoid the color transfer from your clothes, keeping the leather cleaner and easier to clean.

With the summer heat coming, your focus may be on keeping the inside of your vehicle cool while you are driving so that you are not sweating excessively. However, if your car has leather seats, then you also need to be mindful of the heat’s effect on the material. Too much sunlight can cause the leather to crack and wear out prematurely. You do not want your beautiful seats to be damaged from a little heat, so take precautions to keep your interior leather in fine condition.

Park in the shade wherever you can

If you usually park in the driveway, then you may want to switch to using your home’s garage during the summer months. Your car spends a lot more time parked than on the road, so you want to ensure it is somewhere that it is not going to take on additional wear and tear. When you go to work or out to a store, try to find an area of the parking lot that is beneath a tree or other structure.

Crack open a window

In the event you cannot find any shade in a parking lot, you should leave the window slightly open. This helps equalize the air pressure within your vehicle. It also keeps the interior temperature lower so that your leather seats are not exposed to as much heat. This will also make your car more comfortable to return to so that you do not have to sit inside a scorching hot vehicle.

Use a high-qualified sunshade

Another way to limit your leather seats’ exposure to summer heat is to put a sunshade on your windshield when you park somewhere in the open. You can find these items in many different stores. Many drivers are wary of them at first out of concerns that they will be too cumbersome. However, such a screen is easy to use. When you are driving, you can fold it up and place it in your backseat. So it is out of the way.

Clean the leather seats regularly

If dust and other materials are allowed to accumulate, the leather seats’ damage can be exacerbated. Every so often, you want to clean your seats. This should include vacuuming them to remove any dust. You can also wipe them down with a damp towel or use a professional-grade cleaner specifically designed for leather car seats. It is also worth it to invest in a leather conditioner, which will keep your leather looking as good as new.

Install seat covers

Seat covers will not only protect your seats from sunlight. They will also keep them cool so that when you return to your vehicle, you do not have to be worried about being burned on some hot leather. Many covers out there are made of cloth, so they do not absorb heat as much as leather.

Tint your windows

Before pursuing this course of action, you will want to check local ordinances in your area to make sure it is legal for you to have tinted windows. In the event it is permitted, then this can be a great way to limit the amount of sunlight entering your car. Window tinting will also give your car a nice custom appearance to make it stand out on the road.

While there are options for replacing leather seats if they ever get too badly damaged, prevention is always the preferable route to take. As long as you take care of your seats, they should be able to last for years without any problems. Be prepared for the upcoming summer season with some preventative action.

>> See More: How To Repair Leather Car Seats Damage – Best Solution

Cleaning Dirty Leather Car Seats

Protecting leather seats is always one vital thing. However, you will have to combine all maintenance acts such as inspecting, especially cleaning to keep the leather material in the best shape for as long as possible. So if you are confused about ways to clean leather seats every due time, let’s follow along.

Cleaning leather seats in car

Due to frequent contact with dirt and sweat from the clothes of the occupants, the car seats are easy to get wet and dirty. If not cleaned, the seats will be moldy and have an unpleasant smell.

Currently, there are many types of specialized leather car seat cleaning solutions. Using these solutions makes cleaning the chair simple and doable at home. And by using the right tools, you can achieve great cleaning results and beautiful leather seats. To keep your leather seats looking their best, use the following equipment.

Specialized car leather seat cleaning solution if it is leather seats

• 2-3 microfiber towels
• Sponges
• Soft brush
• Instructions for cleaning car seats:

Step 1: Vacuum the car seat

Use a mini vacuum cleaner to vacuum the upholstery. Pay attention to carefully sucking in the mattress slots, which can be combined with the use of a brush to clean more. When bringing the vacuum cleaner near the seat, pay attention to gently avoid scratching the skin.

Step 2: Clean car seats

Spray a specialized car seat cleaning solution on the surface of the seat. Use a sponge or microfiber towel to clean stains on the surface of the chair. In case the chair is yellowed, heavily soiled, heavily moldy, etc., use a soft brush to gently scrub it to make it easier to clean.

If the car seats have air vents, do not spray the solution directly on the leather seat surface. Instead, spray the solution on a towel or brush and then wipe or rub the chair.

When cleaning car seats, you should clean from top to bottom. Start cleaning the headrest, backrest, and finally the seat cushion. Don’t forget to clean the sides around the seat cushion as well.

Step 3: Wipe dry

After removing the stains on the surface of the chair, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the chair.

>> Check Now: 5 Ways to Get Your Wet Car Seats Dry: Helpful Tips

*Notes when cleaning car seats:

Need to check what type of car seat cover material is? For example, leather or felt? If leather, what type of leather? Does the seat have air vents? It is best to refer to the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual. In this book, there are often instructions and notes to avoid when cleaning car seats.

Do not use dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, etc. to clean car seats. Even dilution does not work. Because these types have high detergent content, and high alkalinity, will cause the skin to corrode, dry, and crack.

Use only specialized car seat cleaning solutions to avoid damaging the leather of the seats. It is best to buy chair cleaning solutions from big brands such as 3M, Sonax, and Wurth.

Using car leather seat solution for better maintenance

After cleaning the car seats, to make the leather surface more beautiful and durable, an additional step of leather maintenance should be performed.

Prepare:

• Specialized car leather seat maintenance agent (in the form of wax, wax, cream, solution)
• Microfiber towel
• Sponges
• Tips for cleaning leather car seats, repairing cracked, torn, moldy seats
• Car seat maintenance instructions:

Step 1: Test the solution on your skin first

Before using on a large scale, test a small amount of the solution on an inconspicuous area of ​​the skin. Then use a soft sponge or towel. Wait about 15 – 30 minutes to see if the solution harms or changes skin color. If not, continue with the main maintenance step.

Step 2: Apply the curing solution to the chair

Apply the curing solution to the leather seat surface. Note only apply a thin layer, avoid applying too thick a layer will make the skin greasy, and shiny. Where to apply, use a microfiber towel or polishing sponge to let the solution absorb into the skin. Polish the leather in a circular motion similar to a polishing machine.

*Notes when maintaining car seats:

After each leather chair cleaning, it is recommended to add a leather chair maintenance step to keep the necessary moisture for the leather, to avoid the skin from drying and cracking. However, do not abuse and maintain too much. Maintenance should only be 2-3 times/year.

Should look to buy quality waxes/creams/solutions/car seat maintenance gels from big brands. Avoid buying floating cheap goods of unknown origin.

Wrapping Up On How To Protect Leather Seats In Car

As you care for the exterior of your car, you should also take care of the interior. Your car’s value reflects how much care you’ve put into it throughout its lifetime. If you take care of your car seats regularly, you will surely get a good resale value and enjoy your everyday driving experience to the utmost.

You have put a lot of effort into perfecting your skills when it comes to protecting leather seats in a car, so you can make sure your loved ones and yourself are comfortable.

For more car maintenance tips like our today ‘how to protect leather seats in car‘ article, follow Car From Japan today.