How to Protect Your Car Leather Seat Covers from Cracking in the Winter
Leather seat covers give your car a classy and sophisticated look. Unlike fabric, leather prevents dust mites and other allergens from settling on your seats, allowing you to avoid the risk of allergic reactions when you use the vehicle. However, just like other auto upholstery, leather covers require proper care to maintain their classy look. This can prove difficult during the harsh winter months as the cold weather can cause the leather to crack and ruin its appearance. How can you protect your leather upholstery from cracking during the cold weather? Here are a few actionable tips that you can follow.
Keep out the sun
The sun tends to have a drying effect on car upholstery, including the seats, dashboard, and steering wheel covers. Even though there isn't much solar radiation during the winter, the afternoon sun is enough to ruin your car seat covers. Use a sun shield and window screens to minimise solar radiation and direct exposure of your upholstery to sunlight. This is particularly necessary if you have to park the vehicle outside for extended periods.
Use mild cleaning solutions
The cold winter weather is harsh enough on your seat covers, and the last thing you need to do is use harsh cleaning detergents. Switch your regular cleaners for mild solutions that do not contain petroleum, silicone oils, or glossing agents. Besides drying out the leather, these products also reduce the lifespan of the seat covers and degrade their appearance over time. When cleaning, use a soft cloth to wipe down the seats. When vacuuming, use an attachment with soft bristles to avoid scratching the leather.
Condition the seats regularly
Just as you use heavy moisturisers to keep your skin hydrated during the winter, your leather covers also need conditioning to maintain their appearance. A high-quality water-based conditioning product will do the trick. You can get one of these from your local store. Use the applicator that comes with the product to apply the solution on the seats at least once a week. This will protect the leather from drying even when exposed to harsh weather. Also, it will extend its lifespan while preserving its classy look.
Follow these tips to protect your leather seat covers during the winter and prevent them from drying out. Also, observe general maintenance tips such as keeping away sharp objects as they can pierce and ruin the material. However, if your upholstery requires replacement, do not hesitate to contact an expert in commercial upholstery.