Maintaining and nourishing car leather: double the lifespan of your seats!

The assessment is technical: acidic perspiration, repeated friction and the greenhouse effect are the deadly enemies of your upholstery. Unlike sofas, automotive leather is subjected to extreme mechanical stress.

Without an oil capable of penetrating the interfibrillar space, the leather eventually stiffens, cracks and tears.

At Sofolk, a French manufacturer for over 30 years, we offer you a corrective and preventive approach, far removed from ineffective home remedies.

Our products to nourish your car's leather seats

Why does your car leather deteriorate?

Premature wear of the outer bolster of the driver's seat and the steering wheel is common. Why?

1. Oil depletion: with each use, a small amount of oil is consumed.
   

2. Varnish abrasion: friction (jeans, belts) removes the varnish, exposing the leather grain.
   

3. Soiling: sebum and dust clog the pores, preventing the leather from breathing and accelerating wear.

The Sofolk "field truth": don't wait to clean. Shiny leather is dirty leather. Stiff leather is thirsty leather.

The three-step maintenance protocol

For optimal results, respecting leather chemistry is essential. Follow these steps to restore its original appearance and comfort.

Step 1: Cleaning (clean without damaging)

Do not nourish dirty leather: the product will not penetrate. Clean first.

For light maintenance (twice a month), use our mild cleaner or cleaning oil.

For heavily soiled leather: use the powerful stain remover or glycerine soap. Brush with a soft-bristle brush.

Sofolk tip: before applying any product, vacuum thoroughly in seams and folds to prevent sand from abrading the surface.

Find all our leather cleaners without delay!

Step 2: Nourishing (a vital step)

This is where Sofolk stands out.

The product: nourishing oil (neatsfoot-type).

Why not use baby lotion? Contrary to popular belief, body lotion stays on the surface and spoils over time, damaging seams. Our oil penetrates deeper into the fibre.

Frequency: three times a year to restore flexibility and strength.

Step 3: Protection (the shield)

After cleaning and nourishing the leather, it must be sealed.

The product: silky varnish (matte, satin, gloss).

Action: restores the protective barrier against UV rays and friction, preventing pigment loss and providing a silky feel.

Protect your car's leather interior with our product range.

What to do	What to absolutely avoid
Tannery-grade oil penetrates the dermis.	Moisturising cream/baby lotion: stays on the surface, causes soiling, risk of mould.
Specific leather cleaner respects the leather's acidic pH.	Alcohol, solvents, household detergents dry instantly and burn the varnish.
Seal cracks before they turn into holes.	Sharp objects: prevent keys from scratching the seat.

The Sofolk range: expertise

We are manufacturers, not resellers, based in Gironde.

• Complete kits: turnkey solution to get started.
• Nourishing oil: our best-seller to rescue cardboard-stiff leather.
• Silky varnish: invisible and long-lasting protection.

Need a tailored diagnosis? Every leather is different. To determine the right product, send us a photo of your seats. We will assess their condition (smooth leather, perforated, full-grain).

FAQ: how to maintain your car leather

Why is my leather sticky and shiny?

This is a sign of contamination by sebum and pollution. Leather should be matte and silky.

Before any treatment, use the stain remover or glycerine soap with a soft brush to "lift" the grease layer.

How do you clean perforated leather (ventilated seats) without clogging the holes?

Avoid thick creams that may leave unsightly white residues and block ventilation.

Use our care oil designed to penetrate fibres quickly without buildup. Apply gently using a microfibre cloth, avoiding direct saturation.

I have cat scratches or light cracking, is oil enough?

Oil will stop the bleeding (drying out), but it will not "weld" the leather.

For surface scratches where colour is missing, oil will darken the area (showing absorption). For visual repair, use our repair paste (healer) followed by light recolouring. These elements are included in our renovation kits.

Which varnish should I choose: matte, satin or gloss?

Most modern cars use matte or satin varnish. Gloss is rarely found on recent vehicles.

Choose satin silky varnish to stay true to the manufacturer's finish and avoid a "plastic" look.

What is the difference compared to a "steam cleaner"?

Steam is water heated above 100 °C and is very dangerous for automotive leather.

• Thermal shock: leather can shrink instantly.
• Delamination: moisture can melt adhesive and lift the leather.

Nothing replaces manual cleaning with a pH-balanced product, like those in the Sofolk range.

With Sofolk, car leather renovation has never been easier!

Useful links

How to care the leather ?  FAQ Degrease the leather  FAQ Leather nourishing oil  How to recognize real leather?