What is the best way to clean leather seats in a car?

Question

I have gray leather seats in my Camry and they have gotten really dingy over the years. All of the leather cleaners that I have seen don't do anything. They are mostly just distilled water. What is a good cleaner that will really work on my leather seats without ruining them?

Answer 1

Ummmm, leather cleaner? Look in any auto parts store.

Answer 2

You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner. Strong cleaner or Maxi Cleaner if it is very dirty. With light coloured leather dye transfer from clothing can be a problem although using a good quality leather protector will help inhibit this.

DO NOT use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones. (Most 'conditioners' contain waxes or oils) and furniture polish contains silicones

BABY WIPES are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkiline cleaners to neutralise urine (acid) on babys skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.

Saddle soap is too harsh to use on todays leather finishes.

A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it.
Fairy liquid contains more salt these days to get dishes clean and this will break the finish down on your leather. This has been verified by the manufacturers (as with the baby wipes).

You should also follow cleaning with a good water based leather protector which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.

Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. Wiping over with a damp cloth regularly will help to do this.

It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of body oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this.

The alternative is a brand new product on the market called Lazy Leather. This is the latest technology in cleaning and combines an effective cleaner with a protector. It is quick and easy to use and should be used as a maintenance product once your suite has been cleaned or from new if you have just bought it.

You can also use a Leather Aroma to keep the smell like new.
Source(s):

www.LTTsolutions.net
Leather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the best way to clean leather seats in a car?
I have gray leather seats in my Camry and they have gotten really dingy over the years. All of the leather cleaners that I have seen don't do anything. They are mostly just distilled water. What is a good cleaner that will really work on my leather seats without ruining them?

Answer 4

I use Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather wipes and have been impressed so far. I have a 98 Jeep with leather.

Answer 5

Xtra Duty from Car-Brite works really well. I've never tried 3M leather and vinyl cleaner, but 3M stuff usually works really well. You might try that if you haven't already.

Answer 6

meguiars leather conditioner works wonders. I use on my 93 mercedes 500 sel. works great

Answer 7

I use armoral leather conditioning cleaning and protectant wipes on mine they look good smell good feel good and it will take out minor cracks and blimishes

Answer 8

you can clean them with a light soapy water mix,and then use Vaseline on then to help preserve them,this also keep s them very soft,and stops them from cracking,good luck with it.