Published
How to clean and protect leather and faux leather car seats
Leather seats are cleaned with a mild cleaner made for leather and as little water as possible. Genuine leather also needs a conditioner so that it does not dry out and crack. For faux leather, cleaning is enough. So the first step is to find out which material your car has.
Identify the material
The car's equipment list or owner's manual tells you whether the upholstery is genuine leather, faux leather or a combination of the two. A single seat can have both: for example, the seat cushion in genuine leather and the sides in faux leather.
Most leather upholstery in cars is coated leather. The dirt then sits on top of the coating and comes off with a mild cleaner. The coating does wear, though, from rubbing and strong products, and the leather underneath is delicate.
Cleaning step by step
- Vacuum first. Sand that collects in the seams and between the seats rubs the surface every time someone sits down. Use a soft brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner.
- Wipe off the dust. A damp, well wrung-out microfibre cloth is enough for ordinary dust.
- Cleaner on the cloth, not on the seat. Apply the leather cleaner to a cloth or a soft brush and work on a small area at a time. That way the product does not run into the seams.
- Wipe dry. Finish with a dry cloth so that no product or moisture is left on the surface.
If the seats have perforated leather, for example ventilated seats, keep the cloth especially dry. Liquid that runs into the holes cannot dry out properly.
What to avoid
All-purpose cleaners, alcohol-based products and solvents dry out leather and can dull or strip the coating. Stiff brushes and abrasive sponges scratch. Test every new product on a hidden spot first.
Light-coloured leather picks up dirt from clothes: dark jeans can stain it over time. Wiping it regularly keeps the dye from setting in as quickly.
How to protect leather
Genuine leather needs a conditioner to stay supple. Apply a thin layer to a clean, dry surface and wipe off the excess. Follow the conditioner maker's and the car manufacturer's instructions on how often to do it.
Faux leather does not absorb conditioner, so cleaning is enough. Both materials are worn by sunlight, which fades and dries the surface. Parking in the shade and using a windscreen sunshade in summer slow the wear.
When you want the seats cleaned for you
Total interior cleaning (€189–229) includes full interior cleaning plus wet cleaning of the seats. Leather seats are cleaned too, but with a different method from fabric seats. The work takes 4–8 hours. If the seats are already in good shape, Full interior cleaning (€64–77) may be enough: it includes full vacuuming, wiping of surfaces, the windows on the inside and the boot.
Conditioning the leather is not listed as part of these services. You can do it yourself after the cleaning, once the surface is clean and dry.
If there are stains on the seats, mention them in the Message to the shop field when you book. First aid for different kinds of stains is covered in our article on stains on car seats.
Clean seats with interior cleaning
Total interior cleaning €189–229, with a separate method for leather seats. When you book, you can change the level of cleaning.