[ronaldo]

Hello to all the members in this section of the forum, could anybody tell me what is best for cleaning leather seats in cars and how best to apply it.

Many thanks Ron.

[carpetclean]

i recently discovered woodbridge leather cleaner and used it in my own car with amazing results instructions on the package

[LTT Leathercare]

Hello

Leather in cars is usually very well protected/pigmented leather.  Cleaners should be water based as the leather needs rehydrating due to water loss.  Cars are much more suscebtible to this from sunlight and heaters.  It is the water in the leather which needs replacing NOT the natural oils which only come out of leather in special circumstances. Cleaners containing oils and/or waxes will only help clog up the surface of the leather.

Pale leathers in cars are more likely to suffer from dye transfer from jeans and clothes and a stronger detergent cleaner should be used such as Maxi cleaner.  This has been specially formulated for dye transfer and is very effective.

A leather protector should be used (again water based) as this will inhibit dyes and dirt from soaking into the leather and make subsequent cleaning much easier.

Any products which are cream cleaners or conditioners or a one step cleaner/conditioner should be avoided as these products will not remove the dirt but drive it deeper into the leather, they will also clog up the surface which will then not allow the leather to be rehydrated.

Hope this helps

Judy

[John Kelly]

Judy

I am intrigued by this replacement of water. As someone with a good understanding of moisture control I understand that materials reach an equilibrium with there surroundings. In fact items which are wetted actually dry to a level below the surrounding atmosphere before returning to equilibrium. Would this not be the same with leather upholstery or do your products have an additive to trap in the moisture?

[LTT Leathercare]

Hi John

I have probably over used the term water instead of moisture.

When leather is tanned the level of oils and fats reintroduced into the leather to soften it is carefully balanced and locked in and as a general rule do not come ouit of the leather.  If the leather is going stiff or dry feeling then it needs additional moisture to rehydrate it , this will then soften the leather. 
Adding oils and fats will upset the balance that was achieved during the tanning process.  Leather in car upholstery is always heavily finished and the absorption rate is slow, therefore if any oils or waxes are used for cleaning and 'conditioning' they remain on the surface and do nothing but attract more dirt.

Moisture levels do reach an equilibrium but if that equilibrium is below what is suitable for the leather ie. in centrally heated houses then to keep the leather soft and supple wiping with a damp cloth will help to balance that equilibrium and using water based products to clean and protect will also do this.  This moisture content is not something that we as leather technicians would measure but just a feel that you get when dealing with it on a regular basis.  Any excess will evaporate slowly but not damage the leather but we are not throwing buckets of water at it!!!!

It is not necessary to over complicate the process.

Regards
Judy

[John Kelly]

Thanks Judy.

[ronaldo]

Thanks for all your replys.

Ron.

[LTT Leathercare]

John

Just as an addition to my earlier response, it is worth remembering that leather should not be expected to react as a fabric.  The treatment of leather is more akin to the treatment of wood than anything else.

Thought this may help.

Judy