If you are fortunate enough to own a car wrapped with premium leather seats, you are likely aware of the comfort these provide you and your passengers. In fact, people say that once you drive a car with leather seats, very rarely will you want to sit down on a fabric car seat ever again. The comfort and ease of cleaning are just incredible, and for these reasons alone, you will likely want leather seats for your next car purchase. 

However, leather seats still require a little bit of tender loving care. Leather in cars often goes through stress when it comes to the Australian summers, while dirt and grime are often present as a result of time spent driving around. Remember that leather looks premium when it’s brand new, but the moment it starts to fade or crack is when the quality starts to die out. Here are some common mistakes people make when they clean leather seats in their cars:

Jumping Straight Into Commercial Leather Cleaners

The issue with leather is that it can have plenty of dirt and grime stick to it. Using commercial leather cleaners to coat the leather while it’s dirty will seal the grime inside, compromising its quality. It is advisable to use a vacuum cleaner and do a comprehensive run through the seats and other leather-wrapped items. This vacuum run will remove all kinds of debris, dust, hairs, and other crumbs that have accumulated. Afterwards, you can use cleaning solutions and other leather sealants to provide a protective coat from future stains and dirt.

Using Products Not Meant for Auto Leather Seats

While there are plenty of leather cleaners on the market, as well as other vinyl cleaning products, using non-automobile specific solutions can damage car leather. Car leather is typically more sensitive to deep cleaning and is more expensive due to the need to combat scents and other odours that can arise. When using a leather cleaning solution that has an improper pH balance, this can damage the seats in your car due to the strength of the chemicals being used. 

Spraying Water On the Seats

Water can be harsh on seats, as these can cause the leather and vinyl to crack. Leather does not do so well when exposed to moisture, mostly when left to soak. Using a leather cleaner and other recommended cleaning products is the best way to maintain and preserve auto leather and prevent premature damage to these. 

Not Buying the Proper Cleaning Tools

Some brushes might be too hard or too abrasive due to their bristles, which can cause excessive damage to leather seats. Other rags and cloth pieces that are old and used up can also cause degradation. Always use a brand new cloth to do a maintenance job, as some cleaning solutions can stick to used rags and have harmful effects on other products. 

Use High-Quality Products Only

It might be tempting to grab just any chemical cleaning solution even if it states that it is explicitly for leather. However, there are chances that the chemicals used are too powerful or imbalanced as a strategy to keep prices low. It’s typically cheaper to produce more potent chemical agents instead of finding the perfect mix, so be wary of inferior products. Buy only the highest quality cleaning solutions to ensure the longevity of your car’s leather. 

Conclusion

Leather is a premium product that hikes up the price of any vehicle bought due to the nature of the material’s comfort. Knowing how leather is almost a luxury addition to a car, it makes sense to want to maintain and keep it safe. By utilising the proper techniques and avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll have shiny and fantastic seats for years to come. 

Reliance Chemicals is home to Australia’s best cleaning products. With over 15 years of experience in creating various chemical cleaners and detergents that are innovative and even safe for the environment, we are in it for the long haul. Contact us today to know more about our wide range of products and solutions for sanitation and cleanliness.