Leather care in the car: What you need to pay attention to and how to proceed!

Natural leather, as we use it in everyday life, is only made durable through the tanning process. Depending on the type of leather, tanning process and coloring, the natural material then consists of 45 to 75 percent collagen fibers (skin substance), 8 to 45 percent tanning agents, around 3 percent dyes and pigments, 1 to 25 percent fat and 8 to 15 percent moisture. In this composition, the tanning agents are responsible for ensuring that the natural material does not decay and the moisture and fat contained in it help to ensure that the leather remains supple.

Due to its beautiful appearance and unique feel, leather is often used in the automotive industry to equip vehicles. In the past, the natural material was mainly used in more valuable limousines. Today, fine leather can be seen in most mid-range cars, which increases the resale value. In order for natural leather to retain its beautiful appearance, it needs regular care. You will now find out what this should look like and why the focus must be on choosing the right care products.

Cleaning & caring for car leather: Why is regular cleaning and care so important?

To ensure that your car leather stays as beautiful as it was on the first day, you cannot avoid cleaning and caring for it regularly. Dust and dirt make the surface of the material look dull over time. Signs of wear and tear also become visible more quickly due to insufficient care and lead to premature wear. You should also remember that bacteria and sweat residue can settle on the seats, the control stick or the fittings, which should be removed at regular intervals for hygienic reasons.

Furthermore, leather consists of greasy substances that are lost through external influences such as UV light, heat and cold, as well as the stresses of everyday life. These must be replaced in the form ofmoisturizing leather care productsThis is the only way to ensure that the material remains supple and does not become dry and subsequently brittle.

How often should you clean your leather car seats?

How often you should clean your leather car seats depends largely on the stress they are exposed to on a daily basis and what colour they are. Stains and signs of wear are more visible on light natural leather than on dark leather. Accordingly, it is a good idea to have your light leather seats etc. cleaned every two to three months.Complete cleaningIn the case of dark seats, new leather should be cleaned three times a year, followed byCare treatmentperfectly adequate.

But be careful: the more external influences leather seats are exposed to, the faster they look unsightly and appear shiny and greasy. Factors that can be responsible for this include the natural layer of fat on our skin, discoloration caused by materials such as dark denim or hand cream that is spread on the upholstery or the steering wheel. It is therefore sensible to clean all leather surfaces that are subject to heavy wear, such as the side bolsters of the seats or the steering wheel, more regularly than leather surfaces that are less affected in everyday life. This is because these are the surfaces that are most stressed when getting in and out of the car or when driving the vehicle. Without the right care, this will show after a certain amount of time.

Weather influences such as excessive UV radiation also contribute to the stress on the natural material. It plays a major role, for example, whether your car is kept in a garage or is parked under a carport to protect it from UV light when not in use. The fact is that constant exposure to sunlight and temperature fluctuations are extremely damaging to the robust but sensitive material. Heat has a negative effect on the elasticity of leather. As already mentioned, it then becomes dry and brittle and irreversible cracks can occur. However, with the right care, you can counteract these unsightly consequences.

What is the best way to care for car leather?

A big mistake that many drivers make when cleaning leather is to remove dust and dirt with a cloth that is too wet. If the cleaning is then carried out under direct sunlight, which helps the damp leather to dry in no time at all, the leather can become deformed. This is precisely why natural leather should always be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth and allowed to dry slowly and without the use of aids such as a hair dryer.

Cleaning car leather

The preparation:First, you should use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and coarse dirt from all leather surfaces. Now cover any other materials that could come into contact with the product during leather care.

The cleaning:To avoid stains and discoloration, you should test the product in an inconspicuous area beforehand. If everything is OK, proceed as follows:

• Sluggishyour cleaneron a soft sponge or microfiber cloth. Make sure you use a sustainable leather cleaner that is free of chemical ingredients and aerosols!
• Work the product into the leather in circular movements. When applying, always work in one direction and avoid the seams when cleaning.
• All residues are then removed with a clean, damp microfiber cloth.

Car leather care

The care:Apply a little wax orCare lotionon a soft sponge or microfiber cloth and proceed in the same way as before when cleaning. Then allow the care product to absorb for about ten minutes. Because perforated leather is often used in the automotive industry, it is a good idea to remove any product residue with a clean cloth at the end.

By the way: Car leather is perforated so that it retains its breathability despite the pigmentation. This ensures that moisture can be drained away more effectively and you sweat less on the material in summer. Another advantage of the perforation is that the effectiveness of the seat heating is enhanced. The same applies to the air conditioning of the seats in summer.

When caring for your leather, you should always choose an environmentally friendly product for various reasons. Sustainable leather care products are based on natural ingredients such as beeswax or nourishing wool fat. They are also free of silicones and artificial resins, which unnecessarily clog the pores of the leather and achieve a counterproductive care result.