Leather upholstery in the car gives an exclusive impression – but requires the right care to maintain its look and feel. Many car owners forget that the car's interior also needs regular cleaning and treatment, especially to resist sun, wear and tear and dehydration. Here you get a complete guide to how to care for your car's leather – from seats to steering wheel.

Why does the leather in the car require special care?

• The sun is scorching, UV radiation fades and dries out the leather.

• Body heat, sweat and dirt break down the leather, creating cracks and discoloration.

• Dry air (heater in winter, AC in summer) dries out the leather.

• Leather in the car is often pigmented, meaning the color/finish is on top of the leather's surface, which affects the choice of products.

Step 1 - Cleaning - Remove dirt before damage occurs to the leather

Here's how:

• Vacuum first (avoid scratching the leather with sand/gravel).

• Use a good leather cleaner and soft brush.

• Dry with a microfiber cloth.

Recommended products:

• Furniture Clinic Ultra Clean leather cleaner
• Cleaning brush

Step 2 - Moisturize and protect your car's leather upholstery

Here's how:

• Apply leather conditioner or a protective cream evenly with a cloth.

• Let it absorb – then wipe away excess cream with a soft cloth.
  

Recommended products:

• Furniture Clinic Protection Cream Protective cream. It may be good to consider that since the car's leather is pigmented in most cases, which means poorer penetration ability, it is important to use a protective cream that dries on top of the leather's surface, creating protection against wear, stains and UV radiation.

Steering wheel and armrest - often forgotten, but severely affected

• The steering wheel is the part of the upholstery that wears out the most, from hand sweat, grease and friction, for example. Since a steering wheel is usually black, it is not visible how dirty it is. Dirt, sweat and hand cream also corrode the surface finish of the steering wheel. Clean regularly and you will extend the life of the steering wheel.

• Armrests and gear levers are used frequently – clean them just as thoroughly as the steering wheel and seats.

Tip: Use a cotton swab or a soft toothbrush to get into seams and folds!

Preventive tips for long-lasting protection

• Use sun protection on the windshield (reduces UV wear).

• If it's hot outside, air out the car – avoid extreme heat. Heat dries out the leather.

• Clean regularly, a good interval is once every six months (more if the car is used a lot).

• Avoid aggressive chemicals from lesser-known car care products (the "magic sponge" is effective but hard on the upholstery).

Common leather care mistakes to avoid

• Using baby wipes or all-purpose cleaner (can dry out the leather).

• Applying too much grease/protective cream – it becomes sticky and stains clothes

• Skip the cleaning and just moisturize with a protective cream. This will "lock" the dirt into the leather's pores.

• Leaving the car in direct sunlight for a long time.

By regularly caring for your car's leather upholstery, you not only maintain the luxurious feel of your car - you also protect its value over time. Click here to see our range of leather care products for car upholstery!