What you need to know about leather care

Leather upholstery is a luxury feature on any vehicle and, whether your car is new or a few years old, there are some important points to keep in mind. There are a number of myths surrounding car leather and how to care for your upholstery. Figuring out the difference between facts and misconceptions will ensure that you take proper care of your car and get the most out of those leather seats.

Do new leather seats need care?

Many car owners have been misinformed and believe that their brand new leather upholstery does not need any kind of treatment. This is so far from true and by neglecting your leather in the beginning, you could be in for higher restoration costs later on. It’s always good to follow care instructions from day one in order to keep your car in great shape. In today’s modern world, leather car upholstery is coated with a thin vinyl layer for added protection. While they are more durable than older types of car leather, they still need to be cleaned and treated regularly to avoid damage.

Can that leather scent be restored?

The smell of fresh leather is one of the most attractive features of any car. Whether you take a seat behind the wheel or enjoy the ride as a passenger, that smell gives you that clear impression of luxury. Car owners often feel like this scent has a kind of “expiration date” when, in fact, this doesn’t have to be the case. By caring for your leather, you can enjoy that smell for years! Also, even if your upholstery does lose that smell, you can restore it (to a certain degree) by using special products that rehydrate the leather.

What type of leather treatment is best?

Some automotive experts claim that a cream leather conditioner is the best for car upholstery. This is true for older vehicles (pre-1990) where a different kind of leather was used. Today, things have changed, and cream conditioners have a tough time getting through the tiny perforations in that top vinyl coating. The cream will only treat the vinyl layer without benefiting the leather at all. A better solution is a liquid leather conditioner. These conditioners are able to reach the deeper layers and truly hydrate and condition the leather.

Will water stain leather?

Water is not necessarily harmful to leather. You will inevitably spill something on your seats at some point (especially if you have kids), and water is often required to clean up that sticky mess. It is important to realize that water is used during the curing and tanning process and poses no immediate threat. The trick is to ensure that you don’t wipe down or wet your upholstery and leave it to air dry. Take the time to dry the seats off thoroughly or the water could cause discoloration.

Is a professional clean best?

There are literally dozens of average leather cleaning and conditioning products on the market. They each claim to be the best for your car. However, the best treatments are available from industry experts and professionals. Professionals know what to look for in a conditioner, and they often have access to products that you won’t find on the shelf. They also know how to apply the conditioner for that perfect finish.

If you are in the GTA, call Wash Me Now for all your detailing needs! From washing, waxing and polishing to leather conditioning and more! We are mobile which means that you can go about your work or daily business while we clean and care for your car.