How to Clean Car Seats

How to Clean Leather Car Seats

The leather inside your car is one of your most valued possessions. However, it’s also one of the most fragile if not properly cleaned and conditioned—even a small spill or scratch can easily ruin the appearance of your leather seats. 

It’s best to clean and condition your leather seats approximately every three months to ensure they look their best and last the lifetime of your vehicle. Read on to find out how to properly clean leather car seats to get rid of tiny imperfections before they become significant problems down the line.

Step 1: Clean and Remove dirt

Vacuum thoroughly to remove any debris, crumbs, and dirt that may be present. Use the various attachments that came with your vacuum to slide in between tight nooks and crannies.  You can also use compressed air to blast out any dirt that may be hiding in the cracks of your seats. 

Step 2: Find the Right Leather Cleaner

Car leather seats come in a wide range of styles and varieties. Some leather cleaners are more effective than others. You also need to consider the color and texture of your seats. It’s best to use non-toxic leather cleaners that are made with all-natural ingredients. Avoid artificial products containing harmful chemicals and oils that can damage the leather. 

To ensure you’ve chosen the right product, apply a small amount to a microfiber cloth and test it on an inconspicuous area of your seats, such as the back of the headrest or the outer seat bolster. If the leather cleaner works as intended without staining or stripping the color of your seats, you can start applying it to the rest of the leather.

If you’re unsure which leather-cleaning product to use, you can ask online for tips or contact the original owner or dealer for maintenance advice. You can also call your mechanic for some at-home tips. 

Step 3: Working the Leather

Once you have the right cleaning product, it’s time to start scrubbing. When it comes to leather, you shouldn’t try to scrub out stains with all your might. Work slowly and gently with the material. Select a delicate, mildly abrasive tool, such as a microfiber cloth or a soft-bristled brush. Work the material in small circles to reduce the chances of discoloration.

When cleaning off the seats, it’s best to spray the cleaner onto the microfiber towel or brush rather than directly onto the seats. If you spray directly on the seats, individual droplets could leave a mark. Don’t soak the towel or brush in cleaning fluid—use small amounts at the outset to prevent puddles and splashes that could discolor the upholstery.

Step 4: Lasting Protection

Once you’ve thoroughly worked the product into the leather of your seats, consider how you will protect them going forward. Most leather cleaners feature built-in conditioners, but this is usually just for show. The cleaner may prevent stains from setting into the material, but it won’t protect your seats from scratches and marks. 

That’s why it’s best to lay down seat covers on top of your leather seats. You don’t have to keep them on all the time, but if you’re loading in a bunch of equipment, transporting food, or traveling with small children, you can easily wrap your seats in protective fabric for more peace of mind.

They also form-fit to the shape of your seats, so you don’t have to worry about excess fabric bunching up in the corners. If anything scratches or spills onto your seats, pull off the seat covers, throw them in the wash, and your leather seats will look as good as new. 

How to Prevent Leather Seats from Cracking

Cracking is a common problem associated with owning a vehicle with aging leather seats. The material can dry out over time without the proper conditioning to reinvigorate and moisturize the leather, leading to unsightly and difficult-to-repair damages. 

To prevent cracking, be sure to apply a leather upholstery conditioner after cleaning. These products feature conditioners and UV inhibitors that prevent the seats from drying out in the sun, ensuring years of reliable service.

How to Clean Cloth Car Seats

Cleaning cloth seats is a similar process to cleaning leather seats, although some additional tools may be necessary to get professional results. 

Step 1: Vacuum Loose Dirt and Debris 

First, vacuum up any loose dirt or debris that may interfere with the cleaning process. That means any crumbs, dried mud from puppy paws, and so on. Like before, be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies to ensure a clean base. 

Step 2: Find the Right Upholstery Cleaner

Upholstery cleaners are essentially bottled detergents designed to loosen various stains from automotive upholstery. While most cleaners are safe for use on all fabrics, be sure to double-check product labels and test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area to ensure a solid interaction between the cleaner and your upholstery. 

Step 3: Clean and Extract

To clean stains and regular dirt, apply the cleaner generously to the surface of the seats, but don’t saturate it. Allow the cleaner to soak for the recommended time, as indicated on the product packaging. In most cases, this takes approximately five to 10 minutes. Then, agitate the surface with your choice of a medium-bristle brush or a terry cloth. Work the surface well, but monitor the condition of the fabric to ensure no pilling or damage is occurring. 

Once thoroughly scrubbed, wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth, then pat the area dry with a dry towel. Alternatively, you can also utilize an extractor, which employs suction to pull dirt and stains from deeper inside the upholstery for a more comprehensive clean. However, these tools aren’t typically necessary to achieve proper results.

Step 4: Protect Your Seats

Once the seats are clean and dry, you can either subject them to wear and tear again or protect them with high-quality seat covers. Seat covers help prevent stains from spilled beverages, messy kids, muddy dogs, and excessive moisture, keeping your seats looking new for years to come.

How to Get Water Stains Out of Car Seats

Spilling water on your car seats shouldn’t be that big of a deal. These kinds of stains tend to be much easier to clean than others, so don’t fret. To remove the stain, you’ll need access to some basic cleaning supplies. Use these simple steps to make the interior look and feel as good as new.

What You'll Need:

• Vacuum cleaner

• Upholstery or rug cleaner/shampoo

• Soft brush 

• Clean, dry towel

How to Get Water Stains Out of Cloth Seats

To get started, use the vacuum to remove dirt, dust, and crumbs from the upholstery. The shampoo will only bring out these tiny imperfections as you lather up the seat, so it’s best to remove them before you start.

Once the seat is clean, use the brush to gently massage the shampoo into the fabric. For hard water and saltwater stains, put a teaspoon of vinegar into the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before applying the shampoo.

Be sure to rub the shampoo into the entire seat. If you only focus on cleaning the area around the stain, it probably won’t match the rest of the upholstery. 

Now, use the dry rag or towel to soak up the shampoo and water. Let the entire area air dry for several hours.

How to Get Water Stains Out of Leather Seats 

Leather tends to be more resilient than fabric and other types of upholstery. A small drop of water will usually dry on its own without changing the color of your leather seats. If the stain doesn’t go away on its own, use a mixture of vinegar and room-temperature water. Soak a rag in the mixture and squeeze it out. It should be damp without dripping excess fluid.  

Use the cloth to slowly work the stain from all sides. Rub outward from the stain to the seams of the leather. Next, wipe down the entire area with a dry cloth and allow it to dry naturally. 

If the stain still hasn’t gone away, finish it off with some fast-drying leather conditioner. 

You may need to hire a professional if the stain lingers. Some types of leather and fabric are more sensitive to water stains than others, so it depends on the kind of car in question.  

How to Prevent Water Stains 

As you can see, getting a simple water stain out of your seats shouldn’t be a significant hassle. The entire process only takes a few minutes, plus the time it takes to air out your car. While these steps will help you remove the water stain, constant spills will take a toll on your upholstery over time. 

The best way to prevent everyday mishaps is to lay down a series of high-quality seat covers. They wrap around the entire seat so dirt, food, water, and other beverages won’t end up in the fabric. If a drink spills in the back seat, pop off the seat cover, toss it in the wash, and you’ll be good to go. Use car and truck seat covers on your way to work and on family trips to avoid soiling the interior of your vehicle.

If you want to show off the original upholstery, remove the covers and store them in the trunk for another day. 

You can also use rubber floor mats for even more protection behind the wheel. The floor can easily accumulate dirt, dust, and mud over time, leading to strong odors, the spread of bacteria, and even the growth of mold. Use durable floor mats and liners that fit the exact dimensions of your vehicle to keep fluids from slipping between the cracks. 

With these tips and tricks in your back pocket, you’ll have your car’s interior looking like new in no time. Check out our additional interior guides for more information, like mold remediation, bed bug treatments, and more.