Looking After Leather Feature

Leather seats used to be the preserve of luxury models, but can now be found in every size and shape of car. Yet many buyers still believe they are time-consuming and difficult to look after.

So who better to ask for the truth than the experts? We visited specialist Leather Training & Technical (LTT) and took one of the firm’s care courses, run by Andy Alcock, devised to help you get the best out of your car’s interior.

Most automotive leather is ‘finished’ with a protective clear-coat, minimising damage from spills. These spillages will eventually soak through and stain the hide. However, this does give you a bit of time to attend to the problem.

If you are slow to react, and it works its way below the protective layer, then no amount of work with a store-bought cleaner will solve the problem – it will need professional restoration.

Car seats have a hard life – every single movement from the suspension, steering, braking and acceleration is transmitted through to your body, resulting in the top grain of the leather being rubbed away over time. But with regular cleaning every three to six months, the seats will look their best and have a better chance against wear and unwanted spills.

Remember, leather’s a natural product, so don’t vigorously scrub it, as this can cause real damage. Cleaning should be gentle. If it doesn’t remove the stain, then re-do it until it does – a few gentle wipes are kinder than an aggressive attack with abrasive cloths.

Avoid cream cleaners, as these encourage users to rub the dirt back into the surface. You don’t need expensive conditioners, either. Though leather does dry out when cleaned properly, all it needs to become supple again is water – the re-hydration allows it to replenish any oils present.

Pay attention to the colour of your cloth – no matter what tint the leatheris, dirt is always brown. Other hues could mean you are stripping the colour or protective layer from the hide.

When you have finished cleaning, use a hairdryer on the surfaces. Not only will this dry the product out quicker, if you run the material through your hands, it will keep it supple.

Like human skin, the leather  in your car changes over time – but this doesn’t mean it shouldn’t give as much pleasure at 10 years old as it did when it was new.

By looking after it, you can minimise the effects of ageing, with the hide remaining soft and supple. And that means your motor will continue to be a luxurious place to be.