The best leather cleaner for cars is a professional detail from Auto Detailing 360. We also offer Ceramic Pro Interior Coatings packages. That aside, we have many customers who prefer to clean their own car’s leather seats. We can also protect your interior with an interior coatings package and the exterior with Ceramic Pro ION.
There are a lot of different types of leather in cars these days. Car leather can be challenging to clean, if not downright scary; This can be especially true of perforated leather seats where there is a concern that the leather cleaner and conditioner can get down into the small holes and cause an issue. There are also differences between new and old leather surfaces. Some Ford car seats are made from rawhide or other unprotected leather. It is important to understand that traditional leather cleaners can not be used on these leather car seats.
If you are not an experienced detailer, cleaning the leather surface can actually cause damage so we need to be really careful about the products we suggest for your leather interior. Perhaps the best leather conditioner and leather cleaner we have seen that is safe for any protected leather Surface is the SONAX leather car seat cleaner and conditioner. Chemical Guys leather cleaner is also an option.
Of course, professional leather protection or ceramic coating is your best option. If you live in the Grand Junction area, ask us about options for detailing and coating your leather interior and car interior.
How To Clean Your Interior Leather surfaces
First, let’s start with what you are going to need. Also, this is about leather conditioners and leather cleaner for cars. We are not experts in leather furniture, so please don’t tell us we ruined your favorite couch 🙂
Let’s Start with the Basics
- SONAX Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
- SONAX Leather Cleaning Brush or a horsehair brush
- Microfiber Towel
- This is your basic leather cleaner kit
Before starting, you should always vacuum your leather seats and leather surfaces. First make sure your car is out of the sun and that the car leather is not hot. Now shale the SONAX Leather cleaner and conditioner vigorously. Now spray the cleaner directly on the leather seat or leather upholstery and use a light circular motion with the brush. Now take your microfiber towel and wipe the surface. Now take a second microfiber cloth and buff the surface.
There is no need to use a separate leather conditioner as the SONAX leather cleaner has it built in. It is important to make sure that the leather conditioner or leather cleaner does not dry on the surface or it will leave a white stain, especially on softer leather upholstery.
Leather Conditioner
While this product has a leather conditioner built in, SONAX also makes a separate leather conditioner kit that we really like. Once or twice a year, we will fully condition the seats.
Allow Leather Seats to Dry
While this sounds silly after you have finished cleaning and protecting the leather seats in your car, it is important to let the leather conditioner or leather cleaner dry. Otherwise, you can get transferred from your clothing to the leather seats, and it may not come off.
Ceramic Coating Leather
Another thing to consider is the option of having your leather seats professionally ceramic coated. We use Ceramic Pro Leather or Ceramic Pro 9H to coat your leather interior, including your steering wheel. This will provide a level of protection to leather surfaces that a leather cleaner and conditioner simply can’t provide. It will also help to keep your leather soft.
Additional Tips for Cleaning Leather Material on Vehicle’s interior
Carefully read the label on whatever car leather cleaners you are considering. While many products claim to be the best car leather cleaner, it is important to choose a product that cleans and protects leather surfaces. We won’t kid you that this is a lot of work, but it will keep your car’s leather interior looking new and car leather seats from cracking. Make sure you do not have faux leather or the cleaner may not be compatible.
- Avoid harsh chemicals
- Select products with UV protection to protect leather
- Make sure you use a lint-free cloth
- Damaged leather needs to be professionally repaired before you clean it. While you may elect to use a leather restoration kit, we believe this process is best left to the professionals.
- A mid-level car interior may have areas that look like leather but are not
- Use a great leather cleaner like Sonax that will not clog leather pores and still removes dirt
- Lay off the elbow grease. Let the cleaner do the work
- Keep lots of microfiber cloths on hand so if you drop one, you have a clean one ready to go
- Avoid the cheap cleaning kit. You won’t find the best leather conditioners inside. They generally have inferior car leather products.
