How to clean and protect leather car seats

99.9 percent of all modern car leathers have a matt finish. Today’s leather is chrome-tanned or synthetically tanned. In the past, vegetable tanning had been the more common method. However, when it comes to cleaning, conditioning and protecting your car seats - age and condition of the leather are very important factors rather than the tanning method.

General dirt on leather seats can be cleaned according to the degree of soiling using either our COLOURLOCK Mild Leather Cleaner or COLOURLOCK Strong Leather Cleaner. The Strong Leather Cleaner is ideal for heavy dirt. They also prevent the fixation of dirt on the leather surface due to use of repair and care products. Use the COLOURLOCK Leather Cleaning Brush to remove dirt from the depths of the grain.

New leather (within the first three years) should be protected with COLOURLOCK Leather Shield. New leather doesn’t need any re-greasing oils or any other kind of treatment, as it’s still fully protected by the tanning process. Common problems with new leathers arise due to general wear and dye transfer from clothing which penetrates into the leather colouration. The driver’s seat especially the side bolster is mostly affected by signs of wear after a few years and develops scuff marks . Light coloured leathers are more often discoloured by denim stains or dye transfer from other clothing. Leather Shield prevents these happenning. We recommend protecting the contact areas on the driver's seat every three months and other contact areas every six to twelve months.

Older leather (cars more than 2 to 3 years old) need more oils and grease care to stay soft. Such leathers should therefore be treated with COLOURLOCK Leather Protector. Leather Protector contains oils, UV filters and antioxidants. Protect older leather every three to six months to ensure the leather remains soft and smooth. The anti-oxidizing components stop degradation of the leather and extend the life span. Older convertibles and classic cars with shinier and dry leather should be conditioned using COLOURLOCK Elephant Leather Preserver. This leather preserver has strong water-repellent qualities which may be necessary on older leather and also prevents the growth of mildew. Important: Our care products are intense in effect. Looking after leather regularly with little amount of product instead of caring seldom and over-applying is the best method. “More” doesn’t help “more” when protecting leather.

Clean with the COLOURLOCK Strong or Mild Leather Cleaner, according to the degree of soiling.

COLOURLOCK Leather Shield protects new leather against friction damage and dye transfer. (150 ml or 1000 ml)

COLOURLOCK Elephant Leather Preserver is ideal for classic cars and especially convertibles.

Use the COLOURLOCK Leather Cleaning Brush to get rid of dirt stuck in the depths of the grain.

Never clean perforated leather with too much moisture.

Mildew needs special treatments.

Dye transfer stains sometimes also need special treatment.

Tyre marks can't be cleaned. Ask for advice.

Recommended products for cleaning and protecting leather seats

Leather Cleaning Brush normal
The Leather Cleaning Brush is ideal for:  Using with the Mild or Strong Leather Cleaner to remove ingrained dirt Using with the COLOURLOCK Cleaner for Artificial Leather to remove ingrained dirt from vinyl or plastics Brushing up nubuck and suede Polishing shoes and boots with COLOURLOCK Elephant Leather Preserver Amount: 1 piece. One brush is usually sufficient for cleaning a car interior or a set of furniture multiple times.With its durable bristles and high-quality wooden handle, the Colourlock Leather Cleaning Brush is great for removing dirt and stains effectively and gently from leather car seats, sofas, chairs, clothing and handbags. It can also be used to clean Alcantara and other Textile materials as long as it is used gently.
Brush Size

US$5.99*
Tip
Leather Cleaner with sponge
Ideal for cleaning leather car and furniture upholstery, bags, suitcases or garments.The Leather Cleaner is provided in a foam dispenser bottle. Foams clean the leather more efficiently than liquid agents, the consumption is considerably smaller, and the leather does not become wet, which could otherwise become hard after drying.Firstly, clean the leather thoroughly before refreshing the colour or applying care products. Use COLOURLOCK Mild Leather Cleaner against normal soiling. Cleaning before treatment prevents the dirt sticking to the leather's surface. Our COLOURLOCK Leather Cleaning Brush effectively removes ingrained dirt (use circular motions and work from seam to seam). After cleaning, it is always best to apply a care product to protect it against general wear and future staining.Amount: 200 ml Mild Leather Cleaner. This is usually sufficient for the cleaning of a whole car interior or set of furniture.Amount: 1 litre Application of Leather CleanerAlways test any products first on a hidden area in case they affect the colour.Dispense some foam on a sponge or brush. Do not apply to the leather directly! Clean the leather from seam to seam using the foam; repeat several times, if necessary. Remove dirty foam residue with a slightly moistened piece of cloth, then allow to dry.On older leathers, stains might sink into the surface, or perceived dirt might actually be colour damage. Such stains cannot always be removed by cleaning, in which case, use COLOURLOCK Leather Fresh for refreshing the colour, or ask us for advice.These products are also suitable for "Cool Leather/SRT (SunReflective Technology) Leather"!
Available Sizes

US$27.73*
Care Kit for New Leather with Cleaner & Leather Shield
New leather should be treated with our Leather Shield within the first three years to protect it against traces of wear and abrasion, as well as discolouration from clothing. Application area: New pigmented or surface-coloured leather in cars, furniture, jackets and handbags. Do not use on porous leathers, suede or nubuck. Soiled leather should be thoroughly cleaned in advance. This prevents the dirt sticking to the leather when applying COLOURLOCK Leather Shield. Our COLOURLOCK Leather Cleaning Brush effectively removes ingrained dirt (use circular motion in all directions for better results). New leather should be treated with our COLOURLOCK Leather Shield within the first three years to protect it against traces of wear and abrasion, as well as discolouration from clothing (dye transfer). The driver's seat (entry bolsters of sports seats and high support cushions) usually begin showing typical signs of wear within the first three years. Leather Shield will prevent this. Treat the driver's seat every three months, the rest of the leather every six to twelve months. Additionally, steering wheels, armrests and shift knobs often suffer from hand sweat so avoid grease- or oil-based leather care. Instead these areas (except those that are old and dry) should be protected using COLOURLOCK Leather Shield. The amount is usually sufficient to treat a steering wheel, small parts or the most heavily strained entry bolsters several times. The Cleaner should only be applied to soiled areas.  ApplicationAlways test all products first on a hidden area in case they affect the colour.  COLOURLOCK Leather CleanerThe Leather Cleaner comes in a foam dispenser bottle. Foams clean the leather more efficiently than liquid agents, the consumption is considerably smaller, and the leather does not become wet, which could otherwise become hard after drying.The Leather Cleaner gently cleans the leather. Apply some foam on the Cleaning Sponge and proceed with cleaning. Remove dirty foam residue with a slightly moistened cloth.  Leather ShieldThe COLOURLOCK Leather Shield provides protection for heavily-strained leather surfaces. The Shield prevents rapid wear and discolouration from clothing. Wet a terry cloth slightly with Leather Shield and treat the strained areas every three months.These products are also suitable for "Cool Leather/SRT (SunReflective Technology) Leather"!

US$37.38*
Leather Protector
To maintain the surface, we recommend our Leather Protector. It contains antioxidants, which stops the leather's decay, and its UV filters protect the surfaces from colour fading and will make them supple once more.Amount: 150 ml. This is usually sufficient for the one-time treatment (minimum) of a complete car interior or a set of furniture.; 1litreApplication: Always test any products first on a hidden area in case they affect the colour!Use COLOURLOCK Leather Protector when the leather has dried completely from cleaning or colour refreshment, ideally on the following day. Apply with a soft cloth and let dry without polishing. One application is sufficient. Strained surfaces (heavy use or in sunlit areas) should be treated every three months. Clean before use to prevent dirt sticking to the surface.These products are also suitable for "Cool Leather/SRT (SunReflective Technology) Leather"!
Available Sizes

From US$22.69*
Leather Shield
Leather Shield protects new leather from wear marks and dirt.Application area: New smooth leather, pigmented or surface-coloured leather in cars, furniture, jackets and handbags. Do not use on porous leathers, suede, or nubuck. Application Always test any products first on a hidden area in case they affect the colour.Moisten a terry cloth slightly with COLOURLOCK Leather Shield, lightly wipe the moistend cloth over the leather and let dry. Do not buff or polish immediately after application. One application is sufficient. Repeat every three months on strained surfaces or heavily used areas. Prior to application, clean off any dirt with COLOURLOCK Mild or Strong Leather Cleaner.These products are also suitable for "Cool Leather/SRT (SunReflective Technology) Leather"!
Available Sizes

From US$22.69*
Smooth Leather Care Kit with Cleaner & Protector
Ideal for leather furniture or leather car seats.Firstly, clean the leather thoroughly before refreshing the colour or applying care products. Use COLOURLOCK Mild Leather Cleaner against normal degrees of soiling or COLOURLOCK Strong Leather Cleaner in extreme cases (where the leather has been neglected for many years, for example classic cars languishing in garages and barns). Cleaning prior to the treatment prevents dirt sticking to the leather's surface when applying colour or care products. Our COLOURLOCK Leather Cleaning Brush effectively removes ingrained dirt. For surface care, we recommend our COLOURLOCK Leather Protector. It contains antioxidants, which stops the leather's decay, and its UV filters protect the leather surface from colour fading and will make the leather soft and supple once more.The kit is usually sufficient to treat a complete car interior or set of furniture multiple times. The Cleaner should only be used on soiled areas, while the Protector should be applied to all surfaces. In the event of extreme soiling, a larger amount of Cleaner might be necessary, but this is very rare.  Application Always test any products first on a hidden area in case they affect the colour!COLOURLOCK Leather CleanerThe Leather Cleaner gently cleans all kinds of smooth leather. Apply Cleaner to the Cleaning Sponge and press some foam out of it. Clean the leather and remove dirty foam with a slightly moistened cloth.COLOURLOCK Leather ProtectorUse COLOURLOCK Leather Protector as soon as the leather has dried after cleaning or colour refreshment, ideally on the following day. Apply with a soft cloth and let dry without polishing. One application is sufficient. Strained surfaces (heavy use or in sunlit areas) should be treated every three months. Clean first to avoid dirt or stains.These products are also suitable for "Cool Leather/SRT (SunReflective Technology) Leather"!

US$37.38*
Elephant Leather Preserver 125 ml
Ideal for the care of leather which is exposed to the weather, or for conserving extremely dry or antique leather.Designed for treating genuine "Pull Up" furniture leather (oiled leather). Do not use on Bycast or polyurethane-coated (PU) leather.ApplicationAlways test any products first on a hidden area in case they affect the colour.Rub some preserver onto a clean, soft piece of cloth and apply to the leather. If required, use the cloth to give a final polish. The fat is difficult to use when it’s cold, so be sure to work at room temperature or warm it slightly with a hair dryer.COLOURLOCK Elephant Leather Preserver protects and waterproofs all types of nappa leather.

US$22.69*
Degreaser
Degreaser is used in various situations for degreasing. The degreaser is a solvent-free product, yet powerful and gentle to the surface. It does not dissolve the color and is therefore excellent for degreasing all types of leather. Areas of application: for degreasing smooth leather and removing care product residues before repair for the professional and end user. for degreasing grease spots in the headrest and armrest areas of furniture, steering wheels, handles and gear knobs on vehicles, handles on handbags and suitcases, etc.for cleaning/degreasing of "spackled" rough leathers in the furniture tradefor degreasing greasy collars on jackets before washing with leather detergentfor degreasing greasy areas before professional dyeing in the workshop   Amounts of COLOURLOCK Degreaser: 30 ml is enough for steering wheels or handbag handles. 150 ml is sufficient for a furniture set or car interior. 250 ml and 1 liter for more extensive degreasing work or for several objects. APPLICATION Always test all products first on a concealed area for changes! Although COLOURLOCK Degreaser does not dissolve colors, it may cause a lightening of colors in open-pored leathers or if too much was used on smooth leather. Therefore, pre-testing is always advisable. Dampen a clean, soft cloth with the degreaser and go over the greasy areas. Plain smooth leathers can be degreased thoroughly after a test. For open-pored leather (suede, aniline leather, etc.), only briefly dart over the leather with the cloth in order to avoid edging and stains caused by the cleaning attempt. Allow the leather to dry between all treatments. Do not blow dry. Not all grease spots can be removed completely. Areas of contact with skin or hair and areas greased over long periods of time are particularly difficult. In some cases, grease remover spray might help. For large areas, deeply absorbed oils, or heavy greasing, seek professional advice. After cleaning with the COLOURLOCK Degreaser, re-condition and protect the leather with a care product suitable for the type of leather.

Variants from US$9.45*
US$18.59*