When you’re shopping for a new vehicle, a luxe interior is always a good thing to have. Leather seats, steering wheels, and other surfaces can add an extra layer of high-class aesthetics to your vehicle. However, leather that isn’t properly cared for can become damaged and cracked, which will have the opposite effect. To properly take care of your leather interior you can schedule regular interior detailing appointments at Red McCombs Hyundai Northwest. Or, make sure to clean and condition your leather seats and surfaces using high-quality products such as the one is this curated list from CNET. Keep reading for a guide on cleaning and conditioning leather interior.
How to Clean Leather Seats
Cleaning leather seats requires a delicate approach to maintain their beauty and longevity. Here’s a quick guide to cleaning your leather seats in five easy steps.
- Gather your supplies: Start with a soft brush, a microfiber cloth and a leather cleaner specifically designed for automotive use.
- Vacuum the seats: Use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt, crumbs, and debris from the seats.
- Test the cleaner: Before applying the cleaner to the entire seat, test it on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage.
- Clean the seats: Apply the leather cleaner to a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the seats in a circular motion. Focus on any stained or soiled areas. Avoid excessive moisture.
- Remove excess cleaner: Wipe off any excess cleaner with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
Remember to regularly clean your leather seats to keep them looking their best.
How to Condition Leather Seats
Once you’ve properly cleaned your leather seats it’s time to condition them.
- Gather your supplies: a quality leather conditioner, soft microfiber cloth, and gloves.
- Ensure the leather seats are completely dry after cleaning. If not, wait until they are thoroughly dry before proceeding.
- Put on gloves to protect your hands from the conditioner, if desired.
- Apply a small amount of leather conditioner onto the soft microfiber cloth.
- Begin by gently massaging the conditioner onto the leather surface in circular motions. Pay extra attention to any dry or cracked areas.
- Allow the conditioner to sit on the leather for the recommended time mentioned on the product label.
- Once the recommended time has elapsed, use a clean cloth to wipe away any excess conditioner.
- Let the leather seats air dry for a few hours before using them.
- For long-lasting protection, repeat this conditioning process every few months or as recommended by the leather conditioner manufacturer.
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What to Look for in a High-Quality Conditioner
One thing that can drastically affect how well your leather seats hold up to the test of time is the quality of the products you use. When choosing a leather conditioner, look for one that is pH-balanced, contains natural ingredients, provides UV protection, and is specifically designed for leather care. According to CNET the following conditioners are top-tier products that you can trust.
- Leather Honey
- Lexol Conditioner and Cleaning Kit
- Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
- Carfidant Ultimate Leather Cleaner
- 3D Leather and Vinyl Conditioner
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