Caring For Leather Seat Covers On Your Own
If you purchased a vehicle with a leather interior, you are likely to be enjoying the comfort your seats provide when you head out on the open road. It is important to take the time in maintaining leather seat covers properly so they do not become prematurely worn or cracked. Here are some steps you can take when caring for your leather interior so it retains its new appearance for as many years as possible.
Remove Accumulated Dirt And Dust Often
Your seating will be sure to become dirty simply from driving around areas where dust is on the roadway. It is a good idea to keep your windows closed when traveling along dirt roads to help keep it from landing inside of your vehicle. Do a cleaning session each week to remove any dust that may have settled upon your seats. This can be done with aid from a car vacuum cleaner. Use a soft-bristled attachment brush to get the job done effectively without causing scratching to the leather in the process. Keep the attachment an inch or so away from the seats as you remove dirt, taking care not to scrape the seats during its use. An air compressor can be used to help remove dust from stitching areas before vacuuming is done.
Take Precautions When Getting Into Your Vehicle
Since leather is easily altered in appearance if it is scraped or scratched, it will be necessary to take care in what type of apparel you wear when you get into your vehicle. Avoid wearing clothing with protrusions like spikes or metal clasps. If you need to wear an accessory that is a risk to your seating, consider placing it on the interior floor of your vehicle and putting it on after your reach your destination. Alternately, cloth seat covers can be slid over your leather seats to help protect them.
Condition Your Leather Seat Covers To Restore Appearance
Purchase a leather seat conditioner from a local auto supplies store or upholstery store, like Westside Upholstery. This can be applied to help keep the leather soft and supple. When adding this agent to your leather seats, use a piece of soft microfiber cloth so no scratching occurs. This agent should be applied after you do a complete cleaning session for the best results. The conditioner will aid in keeping the seats from becoming cracked, however, it is best to make sure not to saturate the leather during the application process so molding does not occur. Make sure to remove any excess conditioner with another piece of microfiber cloth. Buff the conditioner into the leather in a circular motion so it is applied evenly.