Cleaning leather seats: our solutions for your car's leather!

The leather in your car is a living material. Friction, UV rays and temperature changes all wear it down. Left untreated, it becomes dry, cracked and grimy.
If you don't clean the inside of your car regularly, dust, stains and the like can damage it.
The aim: to preserve the value of your vehicle.

We recommend cleaning the leather in your car every three months to keep it in good condition.

To clean your seats effectively, use the right products!

Which product should you use to clean leather seats?

Don't just pick a product at random. Choose the right treatment for the type of leather in your car.

Your need	Your product	Action	Benefit
Deep clean (Stubborn stains, taxis, private-hire cars)	The cleaner / stain remover	Lifts dirt out from deep within the pores without fading the colour.	Ideal for disinfecting the interior.
Regular maintenance (You are meticulous but short of time)	The cleaning oil	2-in-1: 50% soap (cleans) + 50% oil (nourishes).	Keeps the leather supple in a single step.
Sticky / greasy steering wheel (Sweaty hands, tacky armrests)	The Sebum Cleaner + The absorbent powder	Degreases the surface and draws the grease (sebum) out from deep inside by capillary action	The essential step before any renovation of your leather seat.
Softness & shine (Delicate cleaning)	The glycerine soap	Cleans gently without harming or dulling the leather.	Formula rich in vegetable glycerine.

Cleaning or caring for leather?

To know the best practice, you need to understand the difference.

Cleaning: it removes residue, grime and bacteria. Use a leather cleaner / stain remover.

Leather care: it is important to moisturise it regularly to prevent cracking and keep it supple.

The Sofolk tip: after cleaning leather seats with a powerful degreaser, apply a nourishing oil.

Car leather care: nourish and moisturise it with our products!

White vinegar is often used as a cleaning hack, but it damages the protective lacquer on car leather. Use a dedicated product instead.

How do you clean your leather seats?

Here is our advice for scratch-free cleaning.

1. Preparation: clean the seats and the seams to remove any crumbs.
2. Degrease (if needed): follow the Sofolk anti-sebum protocol: degrease with the Sebum Cleaner and finish with the sebum absorbent powder on greasy areas (steering wheel).
3. Cleaning: spray the Sofolk Cleaner / Stain Remover onto the surface, rub gently in circles to remove dust and stains, then wipe with a clean microfibre cloth.
4. Protect: once dry, apply a renovation treatment or a protective finish to preserve the leather seats and guard against future friction.

Don't let the sun damage your leather seats. Protect them now with our professional solutions!

Why choose Sofolk to care for your seats?

When it comes to renovating, cleaning, caring for and protecting leather, we are the French experts.

• Expertise: we have known leather since 1989, based in Bordeaux.
• Safety: our products preserve the quality of car leather.
• Service: have a stain to clean? Send us a photo.

Read our advice and take action. Choose a product to clean your leather car seats.

Important: avoid unsuitable products.

Frequently asked questions: cleaning your car’s leather seats effectively

Still undecided? Here are the answers to help you choose.

How often should I clean my seats?

Clean your leather seats regularly, even if they look clean, to prevent dirt build-up, extend their lifespan and stop them drying out and cracking.

Can I use these products on Alcantara or skai?

It depends on the product (cleaner / stain remover, oil, soap). Only the Sofolk Cleaner is suitable for several materials, while the other products are designed for smooth pigmented leathers (most car interiors). For skai or Alcantara, use specific products.

Available in the following sections:

• car leatherette renovation,
• Alcantara car seat renovation

My steering wheel is sticky. Will the cleaner work?

No, a liquid cleaner won't be enough. If your steering wheel or gear knob is sticky, the leather is saturated with sebum (skin grease). Use the Sebum Cleaner together with the sebum absorbent powder (fuller's earth) to "drink up" the ingrained grease by capillary action. This step is essential before any renovation or colouring.

Why nourish the leather after cleaning?

The cleaner / stain remover opens up the pores of the leather and removes impurities, but it can also strip away some of the natural oils. The leather needs to be moisturised after cleaning to stop it becoming brittle and splitting at the seams.

Will it fade my seats?

Our products, such as the cleaner / stain remover, clean, lift stains from and degrease leather without fading it. It is important to follow the instructions and to test the product on a hidden area before using it on older or previously recoloured leather.

My leather is damaged: should I clean it or go straight to renovation?

Rubbing damaged leather can make it worse. For significant damage, move on to the next step.

• Are there holes, scratches or deep cracks? Fill the gaps with our car leather repair products.
• Has the colour gone, or is the leather grey or bleached? It needs repigmenting. See our products for dyeing car leather.
• Want to redo everything (repair and recolour)? It's simple and economical. Discover our car leather renovation kits.