technician cleaning a leather seat

How To Care For a Leather Car Interior

Owning a BMW, your car almost certainly has a leather interior. Have you ever thought about how to keep it up? If you don’t want to pay someone else to clean your leather seats and dashboard panels, you can do it yourself. Not only does it save money, but it also gives you a better appreciation for what you have. Continue reading for some tips to help you learn to care for your own leather car interior.

What Do you Need to Clean a Leather Interior?

If you own a car, you should own a stack of microfiber towels, cloths, or rags. They are essential to achieving a safe, scratch-free clean on any surface. You should also get a leather cleaning solution and leather conditioner. The more natural the better. Get a brush with soft bristles, like a horsehair brush because stiff plastic bristles can damage leather instead of clean it and protect it.

technician cleaning a leather seat

rear seat view of the 2020 BMW X1
Image Shown: 2020 BMW X1

How Do I Clean my Leather Seats and Panels?

Before anything else, vacuum all leather clean of any crumbs or dust so you don’t drag dirt across the leather. Any surface in your car that is made of leather should be carefully cleaned with a soft brush that has been sprayed with the cleaning solution. Do not spray the seat or panel directly, especially with perforated leather, just spray the brush. Scrub section by section without applying too much pressure. Wipe dry with microfiber.

How Do I Condition My Leather Seats and Panels?

Leather conditioner contains nutrients like Vitamin E and other things leather needs to stay strong. Spread an even layer of the conditioner on a clean, dry microfiber cloth, then rub the conditioner into the seat or other leather surface. The leather should absorb the conditioner, but you will probably need to wipe off a little excess after several diligent passes. The conditioner will help protect the leather, just take care not to let the conditioner dry on the surface, wipe it clean with a different fresh microfiber cloth.