Thinking about putting a new Toyota with leather car seats in the driveway? Leather seats are pretty much the epitome of luxury and lend a plush, comfortable vibe to the interior of your car. However, they also require a fair amount of car care to keep them in like-new condition. This is especially true here in Orlando, where we see extreme heat and strong sun every single summer. Toyota of Orlando's car detailing experts are here to explain how to care for leather car seats and keep them in the best shape possible.
Three steps to cleaning leather car seats
#1: Vacuum your car out before you do anything else. It's important to thoroughly vacuum out your Orlando Toyota BEFORE you start cleaning and conditioning the leather. Sand, dirt, and debris on the seats can actually damage the leather while you clean, as they're particularly abrasive and can cause small tears and scratches on the leather.
#2: Don't use anything but leather cleaner to get the job done. After you're done thoroughly vacuuming out the interior, it's time to get cleaning. However, you should make sure that you're only using a cleaner that's specially formulated for leather car seats. Other cleaners can stain and damage the leather, leaving you with irreparable issues. Toyota of Orlando's parts store can help you find the right one for your interior. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Try to avoid any cleaners that have bleach or ammonia in them, both of which can damage your leather car seats.
- You can make your own leather car seats cleaner if you want to go the natural route. Mix five parts warm water with one part Castile soap (a vegetable-based soap) and put it in a spray bottle.
- Never apply leather cleaner directly to the car seats. You should spray it on a soft microfiber cloth until the cloth is damp (not soaking wet) to apply it.
- Gently scrub your leather seats with the damp microfiber cloth; you might have to use a little bit of elbow grease for tough stains or grime. Don't let the seat get too wet; wet leather takes forever to dry and can actually become moldy quicker than you think.
- Be sure to let the seats dry completely before moving on to leather conditioning.
#3: Use a leather conditioner at the end of your detailing. This is important to keep your leather car seats supple and moisturized; in the long run, it'll prevent cracking, tearing, and fading. This step is critical if you live in Orlando and deal with the heat and the sun every day. Additionally, leather conditioner actually acts similarly to car wax, forming a top coat of sorts that will help ward off stains and grime. You should condition your car once a month, especially in the summer, to keep it protected and like-new.
Use a microfiber cloth to apply the leather conditioner and just like the cleaner, don't apply too much. You don't want the seats to get soaked. Be sure to let the leather conditioner sink in and dry for 4-6 hours before sitting in the car again.
Here are some other Orlando Toyota tips to keep in mind when you're dealing with leather car seats:
- Work in small sections when you clean and condition the leather.
- Do a spot check when you buy a new cleaner or conditioner. Test the liquid in a small, out-of-the-way area to ensure it doesn't stain or damage the leather.
- Never clean or condition leather seats with anything but a clean, soft microfiber cloth.
- Cleaning solutions and conditioners that are non-toxic and/or natural are the least likely to damage your leather car seats.
- Never let stains sit on leather; clean them immediately so they can't set in and cause worse damage.
- Protect your car from the sun. A windshield shade is absolutely recommended, and it also helps to tint your car's windows to ward off damaging UV rays.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.