A Leather Seat Care Guide You Should Know

Seats are the part owners neglect most. By the time the leather cracks and stiffens it is usually too late. So how should leather seats be cared for?

Car leather is not the same as a leather jacket or shoes. Hides are mostly yellow cattle or water buffalo, with yellow cattle more common for its softness, resilience and fine pores. Leather seats resist soiling and clean easily, but they are in constant contact with people, and human oil is very damaging: it causes leather to crack, stiffen, darken and even grow mould.

How to care for leather seats

1. Never clean leather seats with laundry powder or dishwashing liquid. They are too alkaline and damage the leather. Use an interior cleaner, ideally a non-corrosive one that cleans gently without harming the surface or your hands. Wipe dry with a towel afterwards; never use a hair dryer.

2. Remove spills promptly: juice, ink, grease, tree sap, tar and anything corrosive. Some will attack the leather, and once a stain sets it is much harder to shift.

3. Do not leave leather in direct sun for long periods. The hide is no longer on an animal, but it still holds moisture beneath the surface, and prolonged exposure stiffens and fades it. Keep it away from heat sources, hard objects and high temperatures.

4. Wipe regularly and condition on a schedule. A leather nourishing balm with natural beeswax suits all smooth leather: it glosses, waterproofs and conditions, extending the leather's life. Use is simple: clean and dry the interior, then apply directly to the leather.