Car leather today is not what it was two decades ago. Modern car seat leather is in fact coated. This makes cleaning it different from what was required to clean “real” car leather in vintage cars. Today’s car leather is actually easier to perform, and the seats are easier to maintain, and all this is due to that new surface coating. Leather car seats today come with a thin clear synthetic coating that acts as a barrier between the natural leather and the environment. As such, cleaning these seats requires different products to those for cleaning untreated leather.
If you maintain your car seats properly, they will last a lifetime, and when you visit car museums, you will find some original leather car seats that are over 100 years old.
On this article, we will provide a lot of information related to leather car seat cleaner. If you are new to this field, we suggest you to read from the beginning to the end but if you already have basic knowledge, you can use the navigation pane below to go to the part that you want. We also prepare a comparison table to give you the clear and informative comparison about each kind of cleaner for leather car seat.
Cleaning Tips
For safety and health purposes, do not rely on all-natural products and non-toxicity. Allergies can come and go even from natural products, so when cleaning car leather seats always wear protective gloves and if possible, wear a mouth mask.
Do not clean cars in the sunlight, always select a shaded or cool area to clean your leather seats. After cleaning, make sure to let the seats rest for a couple of hours, this also gives time for the products to infuse, cure and dry completely.
Irrespective of the cleaner you decide to use, always use a scrub brush and apply the brush with the right amount of force and vigor after spraying the leather.
When using a cleaner, if it requires dilution, dilute according to the manufacturer’s directions. Also, if you are not sure about the effect, it will have on your color, find a hidden area, spray it, then brush it to see if there is an issue with the leather’s color.
If you want a really good cleaner, then try out the all-purpose cleaning solution Simple Green APC this product is actually amazing and works well with every leather I have come across.
For extremely dirty leather you should consider cleaning in sections. Make an imaginary grid in your mind and start to clean the leather in each grid.
Take into consideration that if you have not cleaned your car seats in a long time, there might be some worn patches. Worn areas will stick out after they are cleaned as the surface coating has been eroded and the leather has been worn down.
When applying the spray, do not spray too close to the surface, allow the spray to hit the surface from a reasonable distance that allows it to cover the area without turning into a puddle.
One final tip, if you are buying a used car, check with the previous owner regarding the cleaning methods they used. If you don’t have this information, then take careful steps and verify if your car seats have been redyed or not before cleaning them for the first time.
Now let’s take a look at some of the cleaning appliances you will need to buy together with your cleaners and conditioners.
Necessary Tools for Cleaning Leather Car Seats
When buying a cleaner, consider the application of the cleaner to the leather, you will need a brush, a pad or towel and in some instances a soft buffer. For worn rough surfaces, it is best not to clean before providing a surface treatment.
Cleaning Brushes
Rubbermaid Commercial Products:
6” Iron-Shaped Handle Scrub Brush with a Yellow Plastic Handle and blue Bristles. These brushes are sold individually and provide an excellent grip.
This is a perfect brush for most hard leathers, and while you might not consider it as your first choice, it is an exceptional brush that works on a wide variety of cars.
Colourlock Leather & Textile Cleaning Brush.
This brush is designed for cleaning both leather and Alcantra upholstered car seats.
This is an alternative to the Rubbermaid brush and is very good with delicate leathers.
In both instances, when using a brush on leather, you don’t need to go crazy and press the brush into the leather with force. All you need to do is brush away the stains gently. Remember, you are in control, not the brush.
Cleaning Pads
Mop Mob Commercial-Grade Non-Abrasive White Cleaning Pad
This is a basic cleaning pad; it comes in a pack of five and is used in kitchens for cleaning sinks. This is a non-abrasive pad, so you don’t have the risk of scratching the leather.
Buffing Brushes
To be honest, any show shine brush is perfect for buffing leather, but if I had to pick one, it would be the TAKAVU 6.7″ Horsehair Shoe Shine Brush. This is a professional shoe shine brush that was designed for leather. After you have finished cleaning and conditioning your leather, this is the best brush to get the final finish.
Comparison table
Image Features Further information
- Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 10 inches
- Item Weight: 8.78 pounds
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- Item Weight 2.1 pounds
- Package Dimensions 8.9 x 4.49 x 2.72 inches
- Spray detailer
- Won't strip wax and contains no abrasives
- Body shop safe detailer
- Item Weight 1.45 pounds
- Package Dimensions 11 x 5 x 1.7 inches
- Safe for many surface
- Item Weight 513 Grams
- Item Volume 450 Milliliters
- Non-greasy formula cleans
- Item Weight: 4082 Grams
- Item Volume: 3.79 Liters
- Colorless and odorless cleaner
- Low foam for more effective cleaning power
- Removes dirt, grime and stains
- Transparent cleaning technology
- Item Weight 2.79 pounds
- Product Dimensions 6.42 x 3.23 x 8.8 inches
- Easily clean and condition leather
- Easy-to-use cap dispenses
- Quickly and gentlely cleans
- Concentrated fomula
- Unlimited 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Item Weight: 4.8 ounces
- Product Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 3 inches
- Deeply conditions
- Extraordinary quality made in the usa
9 Top Best Cleaners and Conditioners for Leather Car Seats
1. Simple Green 14010 Industrial Cleaner and Degreaser
This is perhaps one of the better known and perhaps the most effective leather seat cleaners on the market. However, it must only be used on new modern leather, not on old leather. Modern leather has a protective coating and can handle this product well. Old leather will dry out if you use this one on it.
2. CSI Q-7 Spray Detailer
The product was created with waterborne technology and is considered to be a quick detailer. This is a fantastic multi-purpose cleaner that can be used on new protected leather cat seats that are non-porous. It is also an excellent product for other surfaces including vinyl, rubber, and all plastics
3.TriNova Leather conditioner and cleaner
TriNova is a combination of cleaner and conditioner that provides excellent UV protection. It works well on all leathers and is safe to use and easy to apply lotion. This is a great choice for use on old leather as well as new.
4. Meguiar’s G-10916 Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner & Conditioner
Meguiar’s is an all in one cleaner with conditioner. It was designed for use on real untreated leather. This product is easy to use and is safe for most leather types. It provides a comprehensive clean, condition and protection finish to old leather.
5. Chemical Guys SPI 993 16 All Surface Cleaner 16 oz
Another quick fix cleaner for car leather seat that will give you that fast treatment, spray, brush, and sit. This is a pH-balanced formula and works well on old and new leather alike. It is both odorless and colorless and works well on interior and exterior applications. Just apply it, brush it and let it dry.
6. Ultima Interior Shampoo & Cleaner Gel, 22 fl. oz.
Ultima is a great shampoo cleaning gel combination, and it can be used on every car leather surface, from old to new. This product comes in a classic spray-on bottle designed specifically for car interiors and delivers professional results without leaving any residues.
7. Lexol Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Kit:
This product comes with 2 individual bottles and a buffer for cleaning, conditioning, and protecting old leather. The cleaner bottle contains a pH-balanced cleaner that is free of additives such as waxes, silicones, alcohols, and oils. The conditioner is the Lexol classic conditioner that provides extra protection to your old leather.
8. Leather Honey Leather Conditioner & Cleaner
This is a concentrated non-toxic product, so you need to dilute it first. It is a versatile treatment suitable for all types of leather. Honey can be applied in one application and will last up to half a year. It is applicable for all leather types and provides water and snow replant surface.
9. Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Conditioner and Cleaner
Chamberlains provide a heavy-duty cleaner which is best suited for old leather. This is a combo kit including a bottle of cleaner and a bottle of conditioner. Chamberlain’s is used on all things leather, and you will find it being used for saddles, boots, and leather car seats. This is a classic duo and is considered to be one of the best on the market.
Conclusions
As you can see, the two types of leather differ immensely. So, when you buy your leather car seat cleaning kit, consider the leather you are going to clean. Remember that old leather requires special care that includes cleaner, conditioner and a good buffer. New modern car seats only require a cleaner due to their protective surface.
