Be it a vintage car or a new luxurious car, white leather seats provide a splendid look and feel. The white interior also keeps the car cooler by reflecting excess heat. However, white leather seats require more care and maintenance since even the tiniest stain is visible and requires cleaning.
So, while you own white leather car seats, you should learn how to clean and maintain them. In this article, you will learn different ways to clean your white leather car seats and remove tough stains. You will also learn about some things to avoid when cleaning the seats and ways to keep them clean.
How To Clean White Leather Car Seats
While it might be simpler to take your car to a car wash, cleaning it yourself saves time and money. Also, some products available at home can be used as a cleaner, especially for tougher stains. Following are some methods guaranteed to restore your leather car seats to their previous clean state.
Method 1: Using a Cleaner
You will require the following things for cleaning:
- Cleaner – Consult the tags when selecting a cleaner for white leather car seats to buy a compatible one. You don’t want to end up with products that may damage your seats.
- Cloth – A cloth is needed for applying detergents and for general cleaning. Use a microfiber cloth because they’re soft, washable, and highly absorbent.
- Brush – A soft-bristled is much preferred not to damage the leather. It is needed to scrub any hard stains from the seat.
- Sponge – The sponge is used to apply conditioner.
- Conditioner – The conditioner nourishes the leather and keeps it flexible. Select a quality conditioner since some are known to crack the leather after application.
- Vacuum – The vacuum is needed to remove excess dirt.
Now follow these steps to clean accordingly.
Step 1: Vacuum
Use the vacuum to suck all dirt particles on the leather seats and the surrounding areas. Skipping this step can damage your leather since the particles can rub against the leather, causing abrasions.
Step 2: Apply the Cleaner
Use the cloth to apply the cleaner to the white leather car seat. If there are visible stains, dab more cleaner on them. You can also use spray bottles for car detailing to spray the cleaner more comfortably on the cloth.
However, if your white leather car seats are perforated, avoid using too much cleaner to prevent some from getting through the holes. If you accidentally apply too much cleaner, wipe the excess using a cloth or vacuum. You can apply cleaner one seat at a time to avoid wastage through evaporation.
Step 3: Scrub
After letting the cleaner sit for a minute or two, gently scrub with the soft-bristled brush. Avoid scrubbing hard as it may scratch and damage the leather. Clean in a circular motion, especially on a stained part of the seat for easier and faster cleaning.
Step 4: Wipe
Use the microfiber cloth to wipe and dry the white leather seats. Wipe the edges carefully and the hard-to-reach parts to dry off the cleaner.
Step 5: Apply Conditioner
Using the sponge, apply the conditioner to your seat. The conditioner prevents the leather from drying and cracking. After conditioning, let the seat dry and relax for a few hours or overnight.
Also Read : How To Remove Sticky Residue From Leather Car Seat : A Step-By-Step Guide
Method 2: Using Homemade Detergents
You can use some home products to create a DIY cleaner to clean your white leather seats. Possible mixtures and products you can use include:
- Water and White Vinegar- Vinegar kills germs, removes dirt and grease, and acts as a deodorizer by removing the foul smell once it dries out. To prepare, mix equal portions of the two in a mixing bowl and stir.
- Lemon Juice and Cream of Tartar- The citric acid in lemon is an antibacterial used to kill germs. It’s also great for cleaning hard sweat stains and grease from leather. Mix equal parts of both Cream of tartar and lemon to prepare.
- Nail Polish Remover- Nail polish remover is necessary when removing ink stains. If you accidentally spread ink on your white leather car seat, dab the nail polish on the affected part using cotton wool. Use water and a cloth afterward to wipe.
- Baking soda- Baking soda cleans oil and grease comfortably. Apply it on the affected part and leave it for two or three hours.
Follow the instructions below using these homemade detergents.
Step 1: Preparation
Wear gloves and a mask to protect against some of the mixtures used. Add the mixture of your choice to a spray bottle for easier application. Then use a vacuum to get rid of any dust particles on the seat.
Step 2: Apply the Cleaner
Spray the solution on a cloth and apply it to the seat. Like any other cleaner, avoid using too much of the solution.
Step 3: Scrub
After letting the solution sit for a couple of minutes, use a brush to scrub. If there are no stains on the seat, use a cloth to rub it.
Step 4: Wipe and condition
Use the cloth to wipe the white leather seats thoroughly. Apply leather conditioner afterward using a sponge or cloth. Let the car sit for ten minutes, then use a dry microfiber cloth to clean the remaining conditioner off the seats.
While home remedies make cheaper and working solutions, they can also damage your leather car seats. The scenario is possible if one of the products used in the DIY is more than the other. It’s best to first apply the solution on a small part of the seat to minimize risk and use a conditioner to treat any affected part.
Related Post : How To Fix Stretched Leather Seats | Simple Ways
What Should I Avoid When Cleaning White Leather Car Seats?
Even though leather is durable, some things can damage it when cleaning. White leather car seats turn yellowish while fading if affected by cleaning products. The following list contains various things that can harm your white leather car seat.
- Avoid a sticky cleaning agent that can attract dust
- Avoid Products that have acetone and alcohol because they can make leather crack
- If your seats have tiny holes on them, don’t spray cleaners directly on the seats but on the cloth
- Avoid conditioners with petroleum and wax because they attract dust to your leather seats, making them dull
- Don’t use excess solutions, especially on perforated seats
- Always vacuum before cleaning since dust particles can damage leather
How Do I Keep White Leather Car Seats Clean?
White leather car seats are high-management seats that catch stains easily. This means they force the owners to clean and tend to them more often than other colors. Luckily, there are ways you can maintain their condition and also avoid damage.
The following are some ways you can maintain white leather car seats.
Avoid Dyed Clothes
Avoid clothes that can stain the white leather seats, like a pair of blue jeans. Any cloth that is dyed and sheds color can affect your car seats.
Avoid Foodstuffs
Avoid bringing food in the car to prevent accidental spillage on the seat. Also, food oils that are hard to clean can get on the white leather car seats.
Wipe Spillage Immediately
If you accidentally spill foodstuffs on the seat, dab a cloth immediately. Don’t rub since you will spread the effect to more parts.
Vacuum Regularly
Dust particles can damage leather, especially if they’re on the seat. So regularly vacuum to clear dust particles, even when not cleaning the seats.
Use seat covers
Seat covers protect the car against stains from spillages, dust, and dirt. Thus, seat covers can minimize the number of times you clean your white leather car seats.
Avoid smoking
As a natural material, leather can soak smoke and retain its smell. Avoid smoking to minimize the times you clean the seats to clear foul smells.
Park in a shade
Though white leather car seats can reflect heat and keep the car cool, direct sunlight can damage and fade them.
Maintaining White Leather Car Seats – FAQs
This section covers some of the frequently asked questions related to this topic.
Q: How Much Does Cleaning White Leather Car Seats Cost?
Cleaning a car’s leather interior costs between $75 and $250. The cost includes the leather car seats and might vary with the car’s model and the service providers. However, cleaning the car at home can keep the price below $100.
Q: How Often Should You Clean White Leather Car Seats?
While leather car seats require cleaning after every three months, white seats depend on your maintenance. Most of the stains on white leather car seats must be dealt with immediately, or otherwise, they’ll stick. So you should clean the seats and the interior after three months with proper care.
Conclusion
White leather car seats can improve any car’s class and worth. However, maintaining the interior condition isn’t always easy as the seats are more susceptible to stains. Luckily, there are ways to clean them at home without needing detailing services.
Likewise, white leather car seats can be cleaned using various methods and by following a few steps in the article. The key is not to allow the seats to get too dirty because that would require extensive cleaning. Also, keep note of the various things listed in the article that you should avoid when cleaning.
