Cleaning Leather Seats

myshirt

Seats on my BMW are 'sealed' so I believe.

So what am I cleaning - the leather or the seal?

What are you guys using to clean your leather seats? APC? Dedicated leather cleaner and conditioner?

Curran

Modern leather does not need to be conditioned. Since approx 1990 the manufacturing processes changed and leather changed from a very breathable material to a practically non-breathable material; therefore conditioners arent asborbed like previously and in fact stay on top of the leather, attracting dirt.

Leather just needs to be kept clean. They dont suffer cracking, drying out, etc as with older leather.

Certain APCs would be suited to leather cleaning, and as ever, ensuring that you start from a weak mixture and work up if necessary to a stronger mix. Safest option would be to go for a dedicated leather cleaner.
Dr.Leather products are very good; the wipes are more of a maintenance product and the liquid cleaner is best for deeper cleaning.

Voodoomelon

I don't bother with conditioner either.

I use Autoglym Leather Cleaner spray; spray it onto a soft bristled brush and work up a light lather on the leather, wiping away excess with a microfiber cloth.

The dirt that comes up with a brush is unreal. The leather is left ridiculously soft and supple with no conditioner needed. I find conditioner an unnecessary step and leaves the leather feeling less supple and just more slippery. I use it on door cards too, plastic and leather.

Obligatory pic.

Mc Love

I have the L1 from Gtechniq. Should I be cleaning the seats with an APC first before applying it?

Curran

Application is to use their W2 Universal Cleaner. And the apply.

A light mixture of APC should do the trick though!

Curran

See here for the power of just a simple clean - Credit to Boardsie member Ded_Zebra