Leather car seats are a beautiful interior choice for your vehicle, and can provide a sense of class and style on the road. Keeping leather car seats clean and protected is an important aspect of vehicle maintenance. By cleaning your car seats regularly and protecting them from spills and accidents, you can keep your leather car seats looking as new as they did the day you got them.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Your Car Seats

  1. 1
    Vacuum your seats when they collect dirt and debris. Use a small, handheld vacuum to clear out any debris or dust that may have accumulated on your car seats. This removes not only the large particles that are in your car, but also the microscopic allergens you may not be able to see. You can vacuum once a month, or more often if your seats are especially dirty.
    • Many gas stations have car vacuum stations that you can use for a small fee.
  2. 2
    Spray leather cleaner on your seats for a more thorough cleaning. Most home improvement or hardware stores sell specific leather furniture/car cleaner. You may want to spot test your leather spray on your seats to make sure that it will not be damaging to you seats, but using a specialized leather spray should ensure that the leather will be cleaned safely. Spray a liberal amount that covers the entire seat to ensure that your seats become clean. You can use leather spray once every two months, or more often if your seats need a deeper clean.[1]
    • Using a non-leather cleaning spray may damage the leather in your car.
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  3. 3
    Wipe down your seats with a dry cloth to remove excess spray and dust. Leather cleaning spray usually does not need to sit. Wiping it off with a clean, dry cloth or rag gets rid of any residual dirt or dust left on the seats.
    • Your seats may still be damp after being wiped with a cloth. If they are, let them air dry in a well ventilated space.
  4. 4
    Apply leather conditioner to your seats for added protection and moisture. You should apply conditioner to your seats every 3-4 months, or whenever you notice your seats becoming dry. Leather conditioner can be purchased at most stores that carry leather spray. The conditioner will keep your seats moist and prevent cracking while also protecting them from the sun. Most conditioners need 4-6 hours to dry before you can use the seats normally.[2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Purchasing Seat Covers

  1. 1
    Choose neoprene or nylon seat covers for easy cleanup. Car seat covers come in a few different materials, but neoprene and nylon are good for low maintenance washing. These seat covers will absorb spills and messes, but you can take them off and wash them easily.[3]
    • Many auto body and home goods stores sell seat covers, and you can compare and contrast them online or in a store.
  2. 2
    Purchase car seat covers that are the correct size. Car seat covers come in different sizes, and ones that are too big or too small will not offer the same protection as ones that fit your seats well. Make sure to buy seat covers that are made for your car type and size.
  3. 3
    Buy seat covers that reflect your style. These seat covers will be the main focus of the interior of you car, so you should get some that are personalized to your taste. Try checking out different colors, designs, and materials until you find ones that are right for you.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Accidents

  1. 1
    Keep food and drinks out of your car to avoid spills. Keeping items like food and drinks away from your leather seats helps prevent spills, and can keep them clean and tidy for longer. Try asking your passengers to keep spillable things out of your car, or putting lids on containers while the car is in motion.[4]
    • Children are especially susceptible to spilling things in the car. While it can be fun to snack on a road trip, messy things like ice cream, juices, or yogurts can damage your car seats.
  2. 2
    Keep sharp objects out of your pockets to limit holes and tears. Leather seats get scratched or ripped easily. Often, a sharp object like a key can poke out of your pocket and into your leather seat without you noticing. Removing objects like keys, metal wallets, and pocket knives before you sit down in your car can help protect your leather seats.[5]
  3. 3
    Carry a spill kit in your car to quickly clean messes. Spills in your car are bound to happen, so it is best to be prepared for when they do. Keeping a kit that contains leather spray, a rag, and some water in case of a mess will help you be able to mop up spills fast and prevent damage to your car seats.[7]
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Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    Should I cover my leather car seats?
    Tom Eisenberg
    Tom Eisenberg
    Auto Technician
    Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. Modern Tire Dealer Magazine voted his shop one of the Best 10 Operations in the Country.
    Tom Eisenberg
    Auto Technician
    Expert Answer

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    If you're accident-prone, it's probably a good idea. It's pretty hard to repair leather, so protecting your seats would be a solid idea.
  • Question
    What causes leather seats to crack?
    Tom Eisenberg
    Tom Eisenberg
    Auto Technician
    Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. Modern Tire Dealer Magazine voted his shop one of the Best 10 Operations in the Country.
    Tom Eisenberg
    Auto Technician
    Expert Answer

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    This is bound to happen over time. Leather has a natural propensity to crack. It's unsightly, but it's going to crack eventually if you have a car for a long time.
  • Question
    How do you fix scratches in leather?
    Tom Eisenberg
    Tom Eisenberg
    Auto Technician
    Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. Modern Tire Dealer Magazine voted his shop one of the Best 10 Operations in the Country.
    Tom Eisenberg
    Auto Technician
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    As someone in the automotive industry, I know that it isn't easy. There are DIY tutorials out there, but you may not like the way it looks. It may be worth getting the leather seats recovered if the scratches are especially bad.
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About This Article

Tom Eisenberg
Co-authored by:
Auto Technician
This article was co-authored by Tom Eisenberg and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Tom Eisenberg is the Owner and General Manager of West Coast Tires & Service in Los Angeles, California, a family-owned AAA-approved and certified auto shop. Tom has over 10 years of experience in the auto industry. Modern Tire Dealer Magazine voted his shop one of the Best 10 Operations in the Country. This article has been viewed 17,297 times.
2 votes - 50%
Co-authors: 5
Updated: January 19, 2021
Views: 17,297
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