When it comes to fashion and home décor, leather is
considered luxe and timeless. The same could be said about leather upholstery
in vehicles. Nothing can rival the look and feel of genuine leather, which
delivers suppleness and softness along with strength and durability. Cleaning
and conditioning leather, however, can scare some people away from owning it
because they're unsure about the best products out there to take care of their
favourite leather upholstery. Experts are sharing tips on proper cleaning.
Why is Leather Such a Fab Fabric?
Leather appeals to most people for a number of good reasons.
For one, leather is a natural material, so no two hides will appear exactly
alike, but that is the beauty of leather in all of its richness, smoothness,
and imperfections.
Aesthetically speaking, leather can look modern or vintage
and never goes out of style whether it's an outfit, a piece of furniture, or car upholstery. It's a wonderful investment and can
last just about forever.
Leather upholstery can be easily wiped clean, but there are
some key points to remember.
Watch for Sun Exposure
You really enjoy driving your car with its beautiful
interior of leather upholstery right down to your vehicle's handsome shifter boot. All
of these leather details are sumptuous and give your car that refinement and
modern edge.
The UV rays of the sun, however, can fade the leather's
color if the fabric dries out from heavy sun exposure and heat. It can actually
crack, too. Professional upholsterers recommend applying a UV protectant with
silicone dioxide for your leather interior. Think of it as "vehicle
sunscreen" if you will.
Vacuum Out Everyday Debris
Your vehicle will pick up unwanted, little things every time
you step behind the wheel. It's not just dirt and dust particles that
accumulate, but food particles can be absorbed into the leather material and
remain there in the form of stains. Your best cause of action is to vacuum out
the interior often to remove the debris.
Even liquid droplets that dry into the leather fabric from
the strong UV rays can result in nasty stains on your upholstery.
Apply a Homemade Solution
Some people prefer caring for their leather luxe items by
avoiding chemical cleaning formulas. Instead, they maintain their leather
upholstery with a do-it-yourself cleaning solution that is both gentle to the
material and safe for the environment.
For instance, this kitchen cupboard recipe is very simple
and according to home design experts, excellent for all types of leather.
Prepare a 50/50 vinegar and water solution in a small,
plastic, spray bottle. Shake the contents well, spritz some onto a microfiber
cloth, and apply it to your leather upholstery. Rub the cloth on the leather in
circles to remove the dirt from its natural fibers.
Squeeze out the cloth, and repeat the steps above. The pros
advise never soaking the leather; simply spritz enough cleaner on the cloth to
dampen it, lift the grime and remove it.
Make a Gentle Conditioner
To help maintain your vehicle's leather interior, condition
the upholstery to keep the fabric supple. Again, you can make a homemade
solution that is approved by home design experts for all leather upholstery.
This recipe appeared online: In a small bowl, mix together 2
cups of warm water, a tablespoon of organic baby soap, and a little vinegar.
Dip a microfiber cloth into the conditioning mixture, and gently rub it into
the leather. Don't saturate the area. Just dampen the leather, and leave the
conditioner to dry.
After about 15 minutes, buff the area with a soft cloth a
few times to bring rejuvenation to the leather's surface.
This conditioning recipe will allow your car's leather
interior to feel smooth, soft, and protected from day-to-day use and the
elements.
You could also get the job done with commercial leather
conditioning products that are sold just for vehicle upholstery. Home
improvement expert Bob Villa recommends Leather Honey Leather Conditioner,
Lexol Conditioner Cleaner Kit, and Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather
Conditioning Spray.
Conclusion:
Leather upholstery has an incredible look and timeless style. It's an awesome investment. Your leather stuff deserves the finest. Treat it right for the perfect ride.
