What's the best product to clean leather car seats?

Answer 1

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. Most car cleaners also contain oils or waxes so should not be used as they leave residues on the surface of the leather which attract more dirt.

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 leathers.

A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it. They are not cheap in the long run as you would need a lot to clean. A bottle of foam cleaner should do your car about 3-4 times.

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.

Using incorrect care products is usually the cause of deterioration in the leather as unfortunately most car care products contain waxes and oils or silicones which do not do the leather any good.

Please do not use baby oil!!
Source(s):

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

Answer 2

Go to a NAPA store or the car care products section in Wal*Mart, etc. & buy a bottle/can of McGuire's Leather Seat cleaner. It's the best product you can use on leather seats. McGuire's also makes other car care products that work well inside/outside cars.

Answer 3

It really depends on what kind of leather it is. Keep clear of stuff that has the potential to dry out the leather (which means the leather cleaner should have some oils in it as well as the chemicals that clean).

I have saddle leather seats in my King Ranch truck, and I only use the King Ranch leather conditioner on them, because most cleaners available dry out the saddle leather and stain it.

The best thing to do is to look in your owners manual or talk to the dealer and get a recommendation.

In addition, check out online bulleting boards (such as www.f150online.com for my truck), since most will have sections or threads where other owners can let you know thier experiences.

Answer 4

What kind of Car?? Leather like in a Cadi or like in a BMW??
buy a quality Leather conditioner that has no detergents, this will help keep the seats shiny and soft and prevent them from drying out and cracking. Cadi leather is a totally different leather than in high end cars or SUV. the high end cars have real animal type skin and less synthetics.

Answer 5

Like Tallcowboy I also have a King Ranch. I use a damp cloth to wipe dirt off, and then use the King Ranch leather conditioner. It makes the interior smell like a new car.

Answer 6

sounds dumb but glass cleaner works great i use to detail cars for a living and we found out that glass cleaner works the best. lot of other cleaning chemicals may strip the color off of the leather glass cleaner won't.

Answer 7

We use Lexol. Its the only product that we sell or use at our dealership and in our Detail shop.


Doesn't dry out, and safe to use even on EXPENSIVE interiors like the Corvettes.

Answer 8

Good old fashioned saddle soap. Apply with a dampened sponge in a circular pattern, rinse with clean wet cloth, dry and buff. I have a pair of boots I've used it on since 1979 and they are still like new (new soles only).

Answer 9

http://www.autoanything.com/car-care/69A1529A0A0.aspx?kc=YM431