How To Clean Pleather Car Seats

It can be called faux leather, polymeric, synthetic, leatherette, or “Pleather”; it’s all artificial.

Pleather is available everywhere. It’s not as expensive as leather, and it feels and looks almost the same. The best part is that it is ethically sourced.
Faux leather has many benefits. It is easier to maintain and clean than its natural counterpart.

Pleather is a popular material in recent years. Its popularity has increased, and now many manufacturers use it to make incredible crafts, upholstery, and fabric.
Even though pleather is becoming more expensive and growing awareness of animal cruelty, it has led to the creation of a fabric similar to genuine leather but artificial.
Synthetic or Pleather leather is an animal-friendly and cost-effective alternative to real leather. It offers almost the same benefits as genuine leather.

What’s Faux Leather?

Let’s start with the basics before we get into the complex part. Pleather is a slang term known as “plastic leather” designed through the plastic to a fabric backing.

Faux leather is also known as Vegan Leather and Fake’ Leather. It is essentially a synthetic product with leather-like grain backed by fabric. Faux leather is not animal-procured leather. It is a man-made product that gives you the same look and feels like real leather. Faux leather comes in many different qualities, with the most popular being Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyurethane, and Polyamide microfiber.

Faux leather seats are easy to maintain and clean, so it’s important to learn how to take care of them. Faux leather seats don’t require special care and can be restored to their original glory with a few tips and tricks.

How to Clean Pleather Car Seats

It is common to be asked how to clean pleather car seat cushions. If you’re not prepared for the task, cleaning and maintaining pleather car seats can be stressful.

There are many cleaning products and techniques, but it is impossible to ruin your pleather car seat.

This is the best online guide on how to clean pleather car seat covers.

This guide will cover the different types of pleather fabric and the reasons it might wear easily. We also discuss the best ways to clean pleather car seats and how to condition them. Finally, we’ll give you some tips for easy maintenance.

It gets even better…

Our secret method for cleaning pleather car seat cushions has been included.

How to Clean Pleather Car seats

There are many ways to clean pleather car seat cushions, including mild and aggressive. You will usually only need a towel and some detergent.

We will advise you on how to get rid of stubborn stains.

Here are Some Tips to Keep in Mind When Cleaning Pleather Car Seats

1. Only Clean Small Sections at a Time: This is the first rule you focus on when cleaning leather or leatherette car seats.

This ensures that you don’t use a cleaner that can damage or discolor your leather.

1. Do Not Let the Solution Dry: Do not allow the cleaning solution to dry. Clean each section with a microfiber towel after you have scrubbed it.

After cleaning, the solution will still have all the dirt and grime. Allow the solution to dry, and it will sink back into your car seat.

1. Vacuum: It is a good idea to vacuum your car’s pleather seat first.

Vacuuming is a way to get rid of dust accumulated between your seats.

 For upholstery, use an extraordinary attachment. Make sure the attachment is made of plastic to avoid scratching your leather.

Clean Pleather Car seats Using Household products 

Let’s talk about cleaning products. If you are considering using household products to clean your car pleather seats, especially chemical-free type; you can try this:

• You can make your own cleaning solution using water and vinegar
• One part water
• 3-parts vinegar

Most people recommend one-part vinegar and two-part linseed oil. However, Both solutions tend to make great pleather cleaners.

 Before starting the cleaning process with the cleaning products, you should do a spot test. Spray a little solution on a small area of your seat and wipe it with a towel. The test helps you determine whether to proceed with the cleaning or not. 

Use Commercial Products to Clean Pleather Car Seats

If you don’t feel like using homemade cleaning products, you can purchase an all-purpose or steadfast cleaner.

There are many ways to clean your pleather car seats

When cleaning your pleather car seat cushions, it is best to use the least aggressive to the most aggressive.

The Light Pleather Cleaning System

This is the gentlest method of cleaning your seats.

 You are only required to use:

• A microfiber towel
• Cleaning solution

Spray the cleaning solution onto the area to be cleaned and then apply moderate pressure to clean it.

This method is best for people who clean their car every month. Try another cleaning method if it fails to work.

The Painter Cleaning System

You will need either a scrub brush or a large paintbrush to do this type of cleaning.

To make it easier when using a paintbrush to clean, trim the hairs until they reach about half the length.

 Spray the cleaning solution on the area you wish to clean, then scrub the brush with moderate to mild pressure.

Use Circular Motions When You Scrub

Once you are done, use a microfiber towel to wipe the solution off. Use moderate pressure.

This method works 90% of the time. It may not work for everyone, so it might be time to employ other approaches.

Steaming Leather Method

This is the last method you can attempt at home.

It is one of our best-kept secrets.

 A steamer is required.

Why use a steamer? Steamers work better than warm water because it exfoliates the seat.

Spray some cleaning solution on the area you intend to clean.

Make sure you place a microfiber towel first on top of the steamer and then use it to clean the seat.

Apply moderate pressure

The bottom line. Remember to be gentle when cleaning your car’s leather seats. Regular cleaning will significantly increase the life expectancy of your leather car seats.

How do you clean car leather seats with a puncture?

The procedure for pierced seats is the same.

Spray the cleaning solution on your towel if your car seats are heated.

To clean your car seat, use a towel.

Use a dry towel to wipe away the solution after cleaning.

Spray the cleaning solution onto your brush while you scrub your seats.

Once you have finished cleaning, dry the solution with a towel.

Turn on the heat to dry pleather seats if you suspect that some cleaning solution has leaked through.

How to Preserve Your Car Seats Made of Pleather

The cleaning process you adopt matters greatly, and protecting the leather material is key to healthy car seats. It would help if you cleaned your car seats once a month and then applied conditioner for elegance, aesthetics, and long life.

Buff drying your car seats with a towel each month will elevate their luster, saving you the trouble of buying new ones every few years. Sun blockers are an excellent way to protect the seats from the scorching effects of the sun, mainly when the car is stationary. Keep your vehicle in the shade or in the garage to avoid temperature buildup that may adversely rob the leather of its vibrant color. Add a conditioner to maintain the leather’s flamboyant streak.

The conditioner has a tremendous capacity to maintain the seat’s soft, supple, and neat characteristics.

How to Condition Car Seats

Leather is a luxurious material that most professionals recommend you put in thought, effort, and time during the cleaning process.

A quality conditioner contains a protective layer that keeps the leather soft, preventing cracking, stiffening, and tearing issues.  Conditioning also preserves your car seat’s original color. If it’s your first time using conditioner, here are steps that highlight how to make leather car seats look brand new.

1. Clean and dry the seats to remove creases and debris.
2. Add conditioner and use a towel to rub it into the seats.

3. Allow the conditioner to infuse for about 20-30 minutes

Perhaps, you’re wondering…

How often should I condition leather seats? It is best to condition them every 3 to 5 weeks if you want to avoid cracks. This is the best way for your car seats to last.

There are Different types of pleather fabric

Plastic Leather

This is the most common synthetic leather made from plastic. This type of leather is prepared by wrapping a fabric with a layer of plastic.

It feels and looks like glossy leather. It is an excellent substitute for leather. It doesn’t fade like genuine leather. It is strong and durable.

Poromeric Leather

It is made in a similar way to leather, but it has a different texture. It is a mixture of several synthetic fabrics to create a leather-like texture.

It includes a layer made of polyurethane that is then covered with a layer made of polyester fabric.

The final product is very absorbent and has a soft sheen. It is durable and looks just like real leather. It’s also highly breathable.

Leatherette

Another type of synthetic leather is this one, which uses both fabric and plastic. However, the material can be either be synthetic or natural.

It is very durable and requires little or no upkeep. It is not as easy to fade as genuine leather. It is used in many cars today. Camera and bookbinding were the first items to be designed using leatherette material.

What Causes Pleather to Wear out

You may be asking yourself how to clean leather car seat cushions after only a few days. Pleather can wear quickly; if it is not given the care and attention, it needs.

Let’s first look at what makes pleather wear out fast. 

Normal Tear & Wear

Your driver seat is the most used. This is why it looks messy. Every time you enter your car, you scratch the seat backrest and, most often, the armrests. If you don’t clean and maintain your seats, cracks can develop from frequent entering and exiting your car. This is normal wear and tear that many consider unavoidable. 

Dirt accelerates the wear of the leather

Dirt can easily get in your car. You can only minimize leather from wearing out by getting rid of the dirt. 

But it gets worse…

Leather is often abrasive by dirt.

This can cause the color to fade and crackle as time goes by.

We recommend you clean your car’s leather seat monthly and do a thorough cleaning at most 2 to 3 times per year.

Use Body Oils and Sweat

Another reason pleather wear is this

You might feel the urge to sweat while driving, which can cause your Pleather to absorb these juices. This will reduce the Pleather’s life expectancy.

Plastic leather should have a matte appearance. Your body oils and sweat cause the shine in your pleather seat.

Spills

Accidents can happen. Learn to clean any spill immediately it happens. This will help you to prolong the life expectancy of your pleather seat.

Now…

This is the part that everyone has been waiting for:

Learn how to clean and condition leather car seats.

Faux Leather: The History

Faux leather was originally intended to be used as an upholstery substitute. Early Pleather was made with a web of “calico”, mixed with pigments, and then coated with boiled Linseed Oil.

They were then coated with cotton and hard-pressed using rollers. Finally, it was passed through many embossing rolls to have a detailed grain.

Pleather

You can separate Pleather into two main resources, polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane. Polyurethane is a polymer that can be molded into many forms. However, when it is overstretched to form a fabric, it gives off its rubbery texture.

However, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the third most widely manufactured synthetic plastic polymer.

Polyvinyl chloride is given a leather-like appearance by adding pigments and other additives during production.

These leather car seats that you are looking at may be made from a combination of two materials. Most upholstery, clothing, fabric, and footwear are made using Pleather.

Is Pleather the Same as Leatherette?

They are basically the same thing, fake leather. Both are made of vinyl or leather that has been texturized so it looks like leather.

It is important to remember that Pleather can refer to fake leather, while leatherette usually refers to a specific type of leather.

Leatherette, however, is an older term for faux leather. It dates back to 1950. On the other hand, Pleather is a modern word that refers to clothes.

The question of how to clean leather seats in cars is the same as how to clean leatherette seats.

Careful considerations when maintaining faux leather

 Sunlight

Faux leather is most vulnerable to the sun, as it can dry it out. Avoid parking in direct sunlight.

Color transference

You should immediately wipe off any color transfer on faux leather. If not dealt with quickly, these strains can cause permanent damage. It is vital to wash the area if it appears very pale.

New Products require test

It is a good idea to test a hidden part before you apply a new product to faux leather. This will ensure that there are no adverse reactions. After it dries, you can take a look at the final product.

Bleach is a BIG NO!

Bleach is one of the most preferred drying products you can use on car seats. Bleach can dry the fabric and cause damage to the material. Even if bleach treatment is successful, this can make the area very susceptible to cracking and compromise the interior’s quality.

Use Non-Abrasive Cloths

Abrasive cloths used to scratch/rub any surface could cause damage to the faux leather. For accurate results, it is recommended to use a non-abrasive cloth with a mild, circular motion.

Take it Off!

After you have finished cleaning with a mild cleaner, it is a good idea to dry the area with a dry cloth. The cleaners are used for their purpose but should not remain too long on the surface.

We have now reached the end of our article about caring for faux leather seats. You should avoid harsh chemicals, only use the products that have been designated, and keep your faux leather seat from direct sunlight. 

Conclusion

Here’s the answer to your question about how to clean leather or leatherette car seats. Pleather car seats are an essential addition to any car. They look and feel great!

Your car’s pleather seats will last a lifetime if they are properly maintained and taken care of.

We hope that you found this article helpful and informative.

Thank you for reading! Would you mind sharing your feedback to let us know how difficult or easy it was to clean your leather car seats?