How to Clean Car Seats

Without regular cleaning, car seats experience dust, dirt, and grime buildup. Food crumb accumulation is another issue, as are stains from assorted beverages and other liquids. So, how do you clean car seats properly? Whether you have fabric or leather car seats, the right cleaning process keeps them clean and looking great. Learn how to clean car seats with the team at Land Rover Riverside today, including how to clean leather car seats. Contact our dealership in Riverside with questions about car seat cleaning or other vehicle maintenance. We are here to help drivers in Riverside and Long Beach maintain their vehicles inside and out.

How to Clean Leather Car Seats

Things you’ll need: 

1. Leather cleaner, saddle soap, mild leather soap, or 1 part white vinegar/2 parts linseed oil solution
2. Microfiber towels
3. Interior brush (soft-bristled, NOT a stiff carpet brush)

Instructions:

1. Check your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your model and possible products NOT to use.
2. Carefully vacuum the seats to remove all particles, and be sure to not scratch the leather. Use the smaller attachments or an air compressor to get into the cracks.
3. Spray your leather cleaner on the microfiber towel to wipe the seats clean and remove surface dirt and oils.
4. Spray cleaner onto the seats (if you have perforated leather seats, spray onto the brush to apply to the seats), and gently scrub the surface with the brush.
5. Wipe the seats with a clean and dry microfiber towel.

How to Condition Leather Car Seats

Applying leather conditioning regularly will help prevent cracks and dryness and preserve the softness of the leather for longer. Here’s how to condition your leather seats:

1. Be sure the leather conditioner contains only natural ingredients—avoid products with ingredients like petroleum distillates, waxes, and silicones.
2. On a clean and dry microfiber cloth, apply a small amount of conditioner.
3. Work the conditioner gently into the leather in circles.
4. Let the conditioner soak into the leather for about an hour before touching the upholstery.
5. Try to keep the seats out of the sunlight during this stage so the material can fully soak up the conditioner before prematurely drying.
6. Once the seats have fully absorbed the conditioner, gently buff them with a new microfiber cloth.

More Leather Care Tips

1. Keep microfiber cloths and cleaning solutions in your car to clean your seats of dust, spills, and debris as they appear. This will prevent long-term damage to your car’s interior.
2. If you have a garage, store your vehicle in it as much as possible. Protecting your vehicle from exposure to extreme temperatures may prolong the life of the leather.
3. When driving around the Los Angeles area, park your car in the shade as much as possible to reduce sun bleaching or sun damage to the seats.

How to Clean Fabric Car Seats

Things you’ll need: 

1. Cleaning solution spray designed for fabric (NOT an all-purpose cleaner)
2. Interior brush (soft or medium stiff bristles, NOT a stiff carpet brush)
3. Microfiber towels
4. Enough time for the seats to dry before driving the car anywhere

Instructions:

1. Vacuum the seats to remove all particles of dust, dirt, and hair. Use the smaller attachments on your vacuum to get into the cracks and seams of each seat. 
2. If you have a lot of pet hair in your car, you may need to also wipe down the seat with a lint roller or special pet hair removal tool.
3. With the doors or windows open for ventilation, lightly spray the cleaning solution onto an area you want to clean. Avoid saturating the fabric to prevent mildew issues.
4. Use the interior brush to massage the cleaning solution into the fabric.
5. When suds start to appear, wipe them out of the fabric with the microfiber towel. If the fabric dries before you do this, the dirt will be pulled back into the fibers.
6. Continue this process until the area is clean, then move on to the next section until you are satisfied with the condition of your seats.
7. Vacuum the seats once more to accelerate the drying process. Let the seats finish drying before using the car.

Keep Your Vehicle In Top Shape at Land Rover Riverside

Now you know how to clean car seats, including leather car seats. If you require professional car cleaning assistance at any time, our team is here to help. Call 951-904-3278 with questions and to schedule vehicle maintenance appointments. You can also reach out online. For more helpful information, visit our accessories hub and learn about our prepaid maintenance plans.