Now that the pandemic has receded, you probably aren't thinking too much about disinfecting every day items. However, car and truck interiors are known for getting grimy. Just because we're not in a pandemic anymore doesn't mean your leather car seats are suddenly cleaner.
Your car is likely the first thing you touch immediately after you’ve been in public. That means it’s a wise move to learn the basics about how to give your vinyl, leatherette and genuine leather a car detailing-level of cleaning.
How to disinfect leather car seats
If your car or truck seats are genuine leather, you’ll want to take significant care: strong disinfectants — including many that were widely used to kill the COVID-19 virus — can also significantly dry out leather. Dry leather is sad leather. Leather is skin and it needs moisture. Without it, your leather car seats will which fade and eventually crack.
For leather car seats, leather steering wheels, and anything else leather in your car, it’s best to disinfect with a mild cleaner like Leather Honey Leather Cleaner. This leather cleaner is strong enough to clean your leather thoroughly, but gentle enough to protect it from overdrying. Start by vacuuming your interior to remove loose dirt, dust and crumbs, then gently wipe down the leather seats with the cleaner and a lint-free cloth.
After you’ve thoroughly cleaned the car and allowed the leather to dry completely, you’ll want to apply leather conditioner, like our Leather Honey Leather Conditioner. It will restore the moisture that has been naturally lost over time and protect the leather seats from dirt, spills and dryness.
What not to use to disinfect your car's leather
To answer a common question: No, you can't use disinfectant wipes on leather. Harsh chemical disinfectants will dry out your leather, which can lead to cracking and color fading. In some cases, they can also stain the surface of your leather permanently. When disinfecting leather, avoid:
- Lysol
- Common disinfectant wipes
- Hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes
- Bleach
- Isopropyl alcohol and wipes
Disinfecting Faux Leather & Vinyl Car Interiors
You can also use Leather Honey Leather Cleaner on faux leather seats, which are made from vinyl or leatherette material. Always spot test any cleaner to make sure there are no adverse reactions.
More to know About Disinfecting Car Interiors
Some common questions people have about how to disinfect leather car and truck seats.
What household products can you use to clean leather?
You should not use household products to clean your leather. Most of those items will dry out your leather and eventually ruin it. Instead, use a premade leather cleaner, like Leather Honey Leather Cleaner.
How do you disinfect leather car seats from Covid?
You can disinfect leather car seats from Covid with Leather Honey Leather Cleaner. The gentle formula is specifically created to clean leather without drying it out.
Can you use Clorox disinfecting wipes on leather car seats?
You should not use Clorox disinfecting wipes on leather car seats, as they will remove the leather's natural moisture.
