Leather Car Seat Care

Nothing compares to the superior look and comfort of a leather interior. It's soft, luxurious and looks amazing. Unfortunately, though, genuine leather may succumb to damage if not properly maintained. It may look clean and pristine when you initially buy your car. If neglected, though, the leather interior may fade, dry out and even crack. So, consider the following tips to protect and preserve your leather interior from damage. With a little work, your leather interior can offer you countless years of use and enjoyment.

Tint the Windows

You might be surprised to learn that tinting your windows can protect your car's leather interior from damage. All fabrics and textiles are susceptible to damage when exposed to sunlight for a long period of time. Leather, however, is particularly susceptible. Over time, sunlight will cause leather to dry out. When this occurs, it may feel rough and hard at first. Eventually, the leather will crack open, making it difficult if not impossible to repair. Tinting your windows minimizes the amount of sunlight that passes through the windows and into your car's interior, thereby protecting your leather interior from sun-related damage.

Different states have different laws regarding window tinting, so you'll want to familiarize yourself with your state's laws before investing in window tinting. Check out this AAA article for more information on state-specific tinting laws.

Vacuum It

Vacuuming your leather interior is one of the easiest ways to clean and protect it from damage. Assuming you have a vacuum cleaner with a wand attachment, you can take it outside to vacuum your interior. Be sure to vacuum the surface of the leather as well as hard-to-reach areas like between and under the seats. If you down own a vacuum cleaner with a wand attachment, drive to a local car wash. Most car washes have vacuums designed specifically for this purpose.

Clean It

While vacuuming can remove superficial dirt and debris, it's not an effective way to clean stubborn stains off your leather interior. Thankfully, there are leather cleaning products available at most home goods stores. These products contain a proprietary blend of ingredients that work to safely and effectively clean leather. You typically spray the product directly onto the surface of your leather and then wipe it off with a clean towel or washcloth. Before using any new leather product in your car, though, you should test it in a discreet area to ensure that it doesn't stain or otherwise damage it.