Upholstery always gets dirty
The leather upholstery in your car or truck gets dirty unnoticed. The problem with leather is that it often isn't obvious, but eventually, a layer of greasy grime builds up. You don't want that. It's not hygienic, and it's not good for the leather upholstery itself. To perfectly clean leather upholstery, you can follow the steps below. In principle, it's very similar to cleaning fabric car upholstery. The main difference is in the products you need to use.
Cleaning leather upholstery
Leather upholstery is common in truck cabins and cars. It looks beautiful and adds an extra touch of luxury to the interior! But to ensure your leather seats always look new and retain their comfort, it's important to clean and maintain them regularly. In this article, we'll explain step-by-step how to best clean and maintain your leather car seats.
Please note: The explanation below covers the basics of cleaning leather. Always read and follow the instructions for the products you use, as these can vary per product.
1. Vacuuming
Before you start cleaning your leather car seats, it's important to remove loose dirt and dust. Use a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean the surface of the seats. This is a very important step in the leather cleaning process, as it prevents dirt and dust from being rubbed into the leather during cleaning. This can cause scratches and damage, which we naturally want to avoid!
2. Choose the right leather cleaner
All dirt particles vacuumed up? Then it's time to choose the right cleaner. This is very important, because using incorrect products can damage the leather. That would be a huge waste! Therefore, always choose a cleaning product specifically designed for leather. These cleaners are mild and help remove stains and dirt without damaging the leather. An example of a leather cleaner is Smartwax Smart Leather. This product cleans and conditions.
3. First, test on an inconspicuous spot
Leather can, of course, vary greatly, not only in type but also in finish and colour. Before cleaning the entire leather upholstery, it's wise to first test the chosen cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of the leather. This way, you can see if it causes any negative reaction, such as discoloration. If everything seems fine, you can proceed with cleaning the rest of the leather upholstery.
4. Clean with a soft cloth or leather brush
Ready to get to work? Apply a small amount of the leather cleaner to a soft, lint-free cloth or a soft leather brush. Note: do not use abrasive materials that could scratch the leather! Clean the leather seats with light pressure in circular motions, this allows you to gently remove dirt and stains.
5. Wipe the leather clean
Have you rubbed in the leather cleaner well? And are you satisfied with the result? Then you can now wipe the leather clean with a clean, dry microfibre cloth. This will remove any remaining cleaning agents, dirt, and moisture. By polishing the leather upholstery thoroughly, you'll get a glossy and clean surface. This will make your leather interior look new again! Then let the seats dry thoroughly.
6. Condition Leather
Is the leather dry? Then we recommend treating the seats with a high-quality leather conditioner. This nourishes the leather, protects it from drying out and cracking, and keeps it supple. If you are using Smartwax Smart Leather? Then you can skip this step! This product not only cleans the leather but also acts as a leather conditioner.
Prevention is better than cure
Avoid UV radiation
Did you know that leather can be damaged by prolonged exposure to sunlight? UV radiation can cause the leather to dry out and discolor, which you naturally want to prevent! Therefore, if possible, try to park your truck or car in the shade or use sunshades to protect the leather upholstery. The aforementioned cleaner and conditioner from Smartwax also helps prevent damage from UV radiation.
Regular cleaning sessions
We understand that you might not always feel like it, but to prevent serious damage to your leather seats, we recommend regularly cleaning the leather. This will keep the leather supple and prevent it from cracking.
Have your leather cleaned
Of course, you can also choose to outsource the cleaning of your interior! For this, you can contact Truckwash 1 Group. In addition to cleaning the exterior of your truck, they are also ready to give the cabin a thorough cleaning.
Cleaning the dashboard, panels, and windows in the truck
After cleaning the upholstery, it's time to tackle the remaining surfaces. Clean each component and surface with a high-quality microfibre cloth.Start by cleaning the windows. For this, we recommend Smart Glass or Great-Lion's Clear Vision Window Cleaner. Both products easily and quickly remove grease, dirt, and other contaminants, resulting in a streak-free clean.
After the windows, finally tackle the dashboard and panels. Do this with Dashboard Dressing. This Dashboard Dressing restores a beautiful appearance with a soft satin finish. This enhances the dashboard's look without it becoming overly shiny or greasy.
