Which is the best way to clean leather car seats in an old Cadillac? My boyfriend restores cars, but he doesn’t have a lot of cash to pay for new upholstery. We’re getting ready for a car show so the seats have got to look good enough for that.
Rachelle Strand, Long Island
It depends on whether you need to remove stains or not. But the best way to clean leather car upholstery could be with tools you might have at home already.
For example, to get the grime off of leather, you can use one part lemon juice with one part cream of tartar as a homemade car interior cleaner. Combine them into a paste, then rub it into the spot with a soft cloth. If the stain doesn’t immediately come clean, let the paste work on it for a few hours.
On the other hand, if you see oil spots, try cornstarch. Massage it into the stain with your fingers until the starch absorbs the oil. Then wipe it clean.
Of course, rubbing alcohol can lift ink marks from leather. But it can dry out the material, so be sure to use conditioner afterward. To see how to make a leather conditioner, take a look at https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-clean-leather-with-simple-homemade-leather-cleaning-recipes/ It has a simple recipe that uses beeswax, almond oil, and cocoa butter.
Here’s what to use to clean leather car seats that will clean and condition leather at the same time. You’ll need a quarter cup of white vinegar and a half cup of olive oil. Moisten a cloth with this mix, then wipe down the leather. It’s useful for general cleaning and will help restore the material to its original shine. This method is also a great homemade rim and tire cleaner.