Tips for Protecting Leather Car Upholstery

When the car seats are adorned with leather, you can elevate the look of the car and sophistication to it. While leather seats are a symbol of luxury, they come at a price of regular maintenance.

Without proper care, you cannot expect the leather to look the same over time. It can fade, crack or become stained, which will decrease the look and value of the car.

So, you have to know how to preserve the appearance of leather. It doesn’t matter if you drive a vintage or new model; protecting leather seats is essential to get maximum life.

While you can rely on a car leather repair shop to bring back the glory, you should also know the basic maintenance that you can do at home. This blog will outline the points that you should do as part of regular care.

- Clean Regularly

Over time, you can see marks and stains on the leather seats that come from dust, body oils and spills. You have to clean regularly using a soft, microfiber cloth to wipe the seats. As it’s leather, always use mild agents or a leather-specific cleaner. Avoid using harsh chemicals and all-purpose cleaners as they can damage the leather. You can even test a new cleaner on a small spot before proceeding further to ensure there is no adverse reaction.

You have to do this process every two months to maintain the shine.

- Use Leather Conditioner

You have to condition the leather seats to avoid cracks. Apply a high-quality leather conditioner every 3 to 6 months so that the seats appear shiny, moisturised and smooth. Doing this will enhance the natural luster and prevent damage to the leather seats.

While choosing a conditioner, you can choose one that has UV protection to get a sun defence feature.

- Avoid Direct Sunlight

If the leather seats are exposed to harsh sunlight for a long time, they get faded and lose their strength. When the sun is at its peak, ensure you park in the shade. It protects the seats from early damage and gives you longevity. If the shade isn’t available, try to orient the car so that direct sunlight isn’t falling on the seats.

Additionally, you can use a sunshade for the windshield to protect the seats from UV damage.

- Use Seat Covers

If you have a family with small children and pets, you inevitably have additional stains and marks on the seats. To protect the seats from direct spills, you can choose to have seat covers. It will protect them from scratches, stains and excessive wear, especially when you are travelling on long trips in extreme weather conditions.

If there are any stains on the seats, give immediate attention and try to minimise the damage. Blot the seats with a dry cloth to absorb the liquid or use a leather-safe cleaner to remove the stain.

- Keep Moisture in Check

If there is moisture on the seats or wetness, you can see the growth of mildew if you are not cleaning the seats regularly. To avoid such unhygienic conditions in your car, keep moisture in check always. In rainy seasons, you can air dry the seats to prevent moisture building up inside the car.

- Vacuum Often

Ensure that you have a car vacuum cleaner to remove dirt buildup whenever you want. The small dust particles can scratch the leather surface and make it appear unappealing. Once or twice a week, remove the dirt and dust particles using a car vacuum cleaner for hygienic leather interiors.

- Maintain proper climate inside your car

Leather seats are affected when they are exposed to extreme hot or cold weather conditions. You have to balance the interior atmosphere by adjusting your car’s air conditioning in relation to the outside weather. It’s particularly important if you are driving your car in harsh weather conditions during long trips.

Final thoughts

Maintaining leather car seats is not rocket science. With conscious effort and regular cleaning, you can keep their longevity. You can follow the above-mentioned tips to take better care of your leather interiors. You can keep the interiors as good as the exterior appearance by following these simple tips.