Leather Interior Cleaning and Care

Leather automobile interiors, once reserved for only higher end models, are now available in a variety of vehicles from compact coupes to gargantuan SUVs. Yet with the comfort and luxury of leather also comes a degree of added maintenance. As most of us don't have a butler and staff to clean and condition the leather interior of our motor coaches, we end up having to do it ourselves.


Driving in the modern world can put more stress on leather than the tea and crumpets crowd ever dished out. Greasy fingerprints from forays with french fries can leave behind damaging deposits. Oil from skin or skin lotions can also harm leather if not regularly removed. Spilled milk, in the form of a latte, really can make you cry when you get the resulting repair bill. The good news is, thanks to modern science, proper care of leather interiors has never been easier.

Knowing the Breed
With regular cleaning and conditioning, a leather interior will last for the life of the vehicle, even with all the abuse that the modern world can dish out. The main concern is to determine is what type of leather interior you have, then choose cleaners and conditioners designed specifically for the task. Traditional leather interiors are made of 100% leather, where as some modern interiors are leather coated with a supple vinyl. Suede, while itself a form of leather, calls for a completely different cleaning and conditioning process.


A quick test to determine which type you have is to use a small amount of cool clean water. Traditional leather will absorb water, where vinyl coated leather will repel it. Either way, a few drops of water won't harm your interior. If you're still questioning what type of leather interior you have, another good place to look is in your owner's manual, or to contact the dealer or manufacturer directly.


The next step is to determine the right cleaners and conditioners for your leather. Saddle soap and conditioners, while good for your baseball glove or go-go boots, are not to be used on automotive leather of any kind. The soap contains alkalis, which can permanently damage the material in your seats. Household detergents and cleaners can damage leather as well. Always use only a product designed for the type of leather your vehicle has.