When it comes to leather car seat care, maintenance is everything. It's important not to wait until the leather is seriously damaged because leather car seat repair can be expensive.
With that in mind, we’ve put together this guide to walk you through the car leather restoration process, including how to clean leather car seats, and our best advice on how to stop leather from cracking.
Why Do Leather Car Seats Require Regular Maintenance?
Although soft and comfortable with a rich and resilient scent that can withstand more of the daily grind than fabric can, leather also has its challenges.
As leather is a natural material, leather car seats are susceptible to ageing and can form cracks if not well looked after, becoming uncomfortable and appearing worn over time. They’re also the more expensive of the car seat options and are harder to repair and replace. So, it’s worth trying to make them last as long as possible.
Here are a few factors that can accelerate this ageing process and our top tips on how to protect your leather against them:
Excessive Heat Exposure
As a natural material, leather contains several oils which break down when exposed to extreme heat, causing the leather to dry out, crack and harden.
If you live in an extremely hot climate, it’s worth investing in leather car seat covers.
Sweat and Body Oil
Leather is a highly absorbent material, meaning sweat and body oil easily seep into leather car seats.
While a lack of oil can damage leather, the salt found in sweat and other bodily oils can disrupt leather’s chemical composition and displace the essential oils that leather needs to remain supple.
Dirt and Residue
Though leather is less likely to lose its original scent after years of being sat on and having food spilt on it than fabric, it still needs to be cleaned regularly.
Dust, dirt and residue can seep into the leather and prove difficult to remove if left for too long.
How to Clean Leather Car Seats
When it comes to cleaning leather, it takes a special kind of product to restore its essential oils and protect it from damaging contaminants. But don’t worry, when it comes to car leather restoration, Car Gods have you covered.
The Best Car Leather Cleaner to Use
We recommend using our powerful car leather cleaner and reviver, Dionysius.
Named after the nurturing god of fruitfulness and vegetation, Dionysius breathes new life into your leather by giving it a thorough clean with a silicone and solvent-free formula that works on any shade of leather and leaves 0 residue.
However, rather than just preventing residue from settling on leather car seats, Dionysius also replenishes its essential oils, keeping it soft and stave off cracks.
How to Use Car Leather Cleaner
Step 1: Remove loose dust and residue using a hoover. Make sure you use the softer brush head attachment so as not to damage the leather.
Step 2: Gently apply Dionysius onto the car seat using a clean cotton cloth until the car leather cleaner is no longer visible. Apply sparingly around stitched areas.
Step 3: When the seat is dry, buff lightly with a new cloth. Be sure to turn it over frequently.