Nothing is quite as comfortable or form fitting as a leather interior, but leather is easily damaged and requires maintenance and care to stay looking good. This is a combination of prevention and the right products to clean and maintain.
Rule Number One: Not in the Car
We live in a world of drive-thrus and convenience stores, and we can buy a dizzying array of foods and beverages for consumption on the go. Avoid it. Food and beverages mean spills and little bits of food particles finding their way into the crevices and stitches of your nice leather seats. Is that dollar menu burger such a bargain compared to the junk it represents in the recesses of your interior? You might not be able to function in morning rush hour traffic without your morning coffee and this is understood, but park the car and take the kids inside to eat. It’s safer and healthier anyway.
Rule Number Two: Wash and Condition
Remember that leather is porous and collects debris like human skin. It should be dull and not shiny in texture. When you clean it use a mild cleaner and be thorough. Your seats should feel soft when you are done. There are many manufacturers that make leather cleaner, and you can probably find a cleaner and condition combination at your local dealership. Many car owners swear by conditioners that contain lanolin oil. Follow the instructions on the bottle because every manufacturer is different. Using a clean cloth or soft scrub brush, you will wipe down the leather interior with the cleaner, then follow later with the conditioner. Sometimes, you may need to apply the conditioner twice. This one-two punch keeps the interior clean and helps protect the leather from cracking and sun damage.
Rule Number Three: Avoid the Sun
The sun is your enemy. It fades the color of the interior as well as heating it up, making the leather brittle and likely to crack. Park in the shade whenever possible, even if it means walking across the parking lot. Use a sun screen on the windshield or other product to keep the sun out. Park in a garage or car port. These simple steps can help keep the sun from ruining your car’s leather interior.
Chances are you paid a extra for your car’s sumptuous leather interior. Be smart and take care of that investment and your car’s leather seats will look and feel fantastic.