How to Clean Leather Seats
The versatility of leather as a fabric is unmatched. Its texture has a rich feel and classy look which makes it unique. The leather seats in your vehicles are exposed to dirt and grime and thus get soiled and stained very easily. They need to be thoroughly cleaned or else mold, mildew, and germs will grow on them. Growth of such germs can cause allergies and other health problems. However, for cleaning leather seats you have to be careful or the finish of the leather may get spoiled.
How to Clean Leather Seats?
There are several types of leather such as cattle, snake skin, alligator, and so on. The composition of each leather cleaner is different from the other. Before application, try the cleaner in some inconspicuous area of the leather seat to find out if it is suitable for it or not. The following are the most popular and easy ways to clean leather seats.
Commercial Leather Cleaner: Cleaning products that are available in the market are not suitable for all types of leather. A particular leather cleaner may work for certain types of leather, but it may be harmful for other types of leather. Always use water-based foam leather cleaners for cleaning leather seats. Read the label of the product to find out if it is suitable for the leather seat. For your convenience, you can clean leathers seat by dividing the seat into sections. Clean each section at a time. Spray the leather cleaner generously on the surface of the leather seat. Take a washcloth and dip it into water and rub it gently on the sprayed cleaner. Slowly, you will find the foam getting activated. Let the foam remain untouched for few minutes, so that it sets well on the leather seat. In this way, the dirt and soil that are deep within the surface of the leather can be pulled out easily. Then wipe off the foam with the help of a dry piece of cloth. Once you are finished with one section of the leather seat, clean the other sections following the same process. After the cleaning, a good quality leather conditioner has to be applied on the leather seat.
Natural Leather Cleaner: Many people do not like to clean leather car seats using commercial cleaners, as they fear it may cause damage to the leather. In that case, you can use homemade leather cleaners for leather cleaning. Mix one part of white vinegar and two parts of food grade linseed oil to prepare a mixture. Dip a soft, white cotton cloth into the mixture and apply it on the entire leather seat with a circular motion. Allow the mixture to settle on the leather seat overnight. Next day, buff it up and you will find a clean and shiny leather seat. You can clean mold and mildew from leather seats with another natural homemade leather cleaner. Mix equal quantities of alcohol and water, and pour it on a damp, soft cotton cloth. Rub it all over the leather seat so that the entire seat is properly covered. Then let the leather seat dry. However, do not let it dry under direct sunlight.
How to Clean Stains from Leather Seats?
Stains of grease or ink on leather seats are an ugly sight. Here are a few tips on removing stains from leather seats.
Grease Stains: Cornstarch works best on grease stained leather seats. Sprinkle some cornstarch on the greasy marks so that it covers the entire stained area. Rub the cornstarch vigorously on the stain with your hands. As a result of intense rubbing, heat will be generated, which will help remove the grease out of the leather. If you find that the stain is still left behind, add some more cornstarch and rub it again. At the end of the process you will find that the stain has disappeared.
Ink Stains: Isopropyl alcohol or hairspray are the best choice for removing ink stains. Do not spray these substances directly on the leather. Pour some alcohol on a piece of soft cloth or cotton and apply it over the affected area. Rub it gently till all the stain is cleared. Alcohol has the tendency to absorb the natural moisturizer of the leather and make it dull and dry. Apply some leather conditioner on the area with the help of a soft cotton cloth in order to replenish the moisture.
Regular cleaning of leather seats will increase the life of the leather. For further protection of the leather seats of your vehicle, avoid parking it in areas directly under the sun. You can also cover the windows of the vehicle for protection.
