The Steps
Before you begin the leather cleaning process you’ll want to ensure your vehicle is in a shaded area and all your materials are at hand and ready to go. Here are some of the supplies needed.
- Your leather cleaner of choice
- Microfiber rags
- Soft-bristle brush
- Shop vacuum
The importance of having your vehicle in a shaded area and having all your items readily available cannot be stressed enough. Not only will it make the process smoother, but you can prevent the possibility of damage.
Vacuuming And dry cleaning
It’s important when cleaning anything delicate that all loose surface dirt/debris are removed. This will help prevent damage that occurs from scrubbing larger pieces of dirt into the surface. For this particular subject, a thorough vacuum, proper attachments and technique come into play to ensure a complete removal. Lean your seat all the way back and gently press around the seams to loosen and reveal hidden dirt and debris. Vacuum these bits up and prepare for the next step.
Test a spot
There are various types of dedicated leather cleaner and conditioner that you can choose from, but it’s still important to make sure that the product isn’t going to harm your specific leather. You can avoid this situation by doing a test spot on a hidden area of your vehicle. A good spot would be the piece next to the center console or under the headrest.
After you’ve established your test spot, apply your cleaner on a one-inch of the surface, gently rub it in, remove all of the residue and wait 10 minutes to see the results. If the leather looks like it hasn’t faded, or has lost its texture then you’re in the clear. If this is not the case it’s best to try a different cleaner and repeat the process.
Buffing
Once you’ve found the cleaner that works best for you and your vehicle, it’s now time to move onto the best part, cleaning your seats. Starting from top to bottom, spray your cleaner directly onto your brush or microfiber cloth and not onto the seats. This will prevent unwanted over spray and possible damage.
Gently scrub your seats in a circular motion and ensure that you don’t apply too much pressure as some spaces require more attention and delicacy. Go back over the areas you’ve deep cleaned and remove any excess cleaner with a microfiber rag.
As you work, don’t forget all the hard to reach areas by tilting the seat back and wiping around all corners, cracks and crevices.
Drying
After all your hard work, let your seats air dry and ensure no residue or moisture is left behind. Lastly, enjoy your clean seats!!
