Best Way To Keep Leather Seats Looking Like New

We want to pass along a few leather seat cleaning tips because something as simple as maintaining them can make a world of difference in terms of the value of your Ford as well as the comfort level and keep leather seats looking like new.

Leather Seat Cleaning Tips

After getting a new Ford, there are likely very few things you WOULDN’T do to keep your pride and joy looking like new! You can’t help but love your Ford and want to care for it as much as family.  Your new Ford car, truck or SUV is a giant investment. So naturally it’s one that owners want to take pride in, to keep it as nice and clean as possible for years to come.

With daily use of getting into and out of your vehicle, if not properly maintained leather seats could become soiled and start to show signs of wear. The material is better at preventing stains, however it needs regular cleaning and conditioning. If not, it eventually will show signs of wear from the sweat, dust, and dirt that seep into the pores and act like sandpaper. Without regular conditioning, leather will harden and perhaps even crack.  Some wrinkling is normal and to be expected.

Tips and Tricks To Keep Leather In Tip Top Shape

First things first. Does the vehicle have perforated leather seats?

If they are, you’ll be able to see tiny holes in the material.  Should this be the case, we recommend proceeding with extra care. Getting any excess water or cleaning product into the holes should be avoided, so use SPARINGLY.

You want to first remove as much of the surface debris and dirt as possible.  Use an air compressor or can of compressed air that’s typically used to clean keyboards to blow off the seat surface. A vacuum may also do the trick, but be cautious about applying downward pressure. This could leave unwanted scratches.

Time To Get Elbows Dirty

After removing surface dirt, it’s time to apply a leather cleaning solution.  Use a microfiber towel or other soft towel. ALWAYS test any cleaner or stain remover on an inconspicuous area. It’s recommended by Ford to use Motorcraft Premium Leather and Vinyl Cleaner Part #ZC56 $14.33 per bottle, or a commercially available leather cleaning products for automotive interiors. Very gently use a soft-bristled brush, GENTLY, to scrub the leather as more dirt will come to the surface. Last thing to do is simply wipe the seats dry and you are good to go!

For routine cleaning, simply wipe the surface with a soft damp microfiber cloth wetted with a mild soap and water solution. Make sure to ring out the cloth well. After the wipe down, dry the area with a new clean soft cloth.

WARNING! 

Do not use the following products as these may damage the leather

• Oil and petroleum or silicone-based leather conditioners.
• Household cleaners.
• Alcohol solutions.
• Solvents or cleaners intended specifically for rubber, vinyl and plastics.

Other Tips

• Clean spills as quickly as possible.
• Do not spill coffee, ketchup, mustard, orange juice or oil-based products on the leather as they may leave a permanent stain

With regular cleaning and conditioning, you’ll easily maintain the appearance of the surfaces in your Ford and keep leather seats looking like new.