How to Clean Leather Car Seats

Driving through Escondido in a new Mercedes-Benz with a leather interior is a true luxury experience. When it comes to keeping that leather interior in the best possible condition, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the basics of leather seat care. Browse our guide below on how to identify worn leather and how to clean leather car seats.

Signs of Car Leather Deterioration

Headrests and the middle of the seat may remain in fairly good condition — better than the bolsters. Bolsters are where the most friction occurs because that’s the first point of contact when you enter and exit the vehicle. Check all leather surfaces for the following signs of wear, but keep a close eye on the bolsters, especially on the driver’s seat.

• Uneven wear
• Faded color from sunlight
• Dry to the touch
• Stiff, not soft or supple
• Cracking
• Shininess
• Rubbed off dye

Does shininess surprise you as a sign of leather wear? Your leather seats absorb oils from your skin — your hands, legs, neck, and hair can all leave oil on your seats, creating for a shine. Shine is actually a sign of dirty leather.

The Basics of Leather Seat Care

Regular application of the following leather car seat care routine can help prolong the appearance, softness, and durability of your leather seats. For best results or as needed, perform this process every three to six months.

• Vacuum— clean any larger crumbs, dust, debris, etc. to prepare the surface for subsequent treatments.
• Spray Leather Cleaner— apply to your leather surfaces and scrub with a soft-bristle brush in heavily soiled areas.
• Wipe Down— remove excess moisture by wiping the seats dry with a microfiber cloth. Wait a few hours or until the seats are no longer damp to the touch.
• Condition— prevent cracking and protect from ultraviolet fading by generously applying a leather conditioner. Also allow a few hours for the solution to absorb into your leather surfaces.
• Wipe Dry— again, remove excess conditioner by wiping the seats dry with a microfiber cloth.

Schedule Service at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido

If you have any additional leather seat car maintenance, service, or repair questions, please schedule an appointment with our Mercedes-Benz of Escondido service department. For other maintenance tips and tricks to keep your Mercedes-Benz in the best possible condition on the streets of San Diego, Escondido and beyond, stop in to the dealership or contact us today.