There is a reason why luxury cars always come up with perforated leather seats. Aside from comfort in driving, both in winter and summer, it also provides added value to the car. That’s why luxury cars like Porsche’s ventilated seats are perforated.
May it be a luxury car or not, car lovers want to have their seats perforated due to the benefits they bring. Maintenance may seem tiresome, assuming those tiny holes may take forever to clean.
However, we provide steps that are Reddit-worthy. These steps on how to clean perforated leather car seats.
Table of Contents
6 Steps to Clean Perforated Leather Car Seats
Here are the things you need
- Microfiber Towels- Prepare at least 5 or more
- Handheld Vacuum Cleaner with attached nozzle
- Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
- Soft-bristled Brush – Choosing a soft-bristled brush will not damage your leather.
- Cans of Compressed Air or Air Compressor/Steam Cleaner/ or some toothpicks (for cleaning the perforation holes with gunks)
Step 1: Get rid of dust and small particles.
- Setting your vacuum at moderate to get crumbs out of perforated leather seats. Point your upholstery brush in areas that are hard to reach.
This method will primarily clean the seats, setting them up for deep cleaning.
- Then, wipe the seats with a microfiber towel to eliminate dust and dirt. Extend your reach on the sides and folds of the car seats as initial steps for perforated leather seats cleaning.
Step 2: Apply the leather cleaner.
Before leather cleaner application, it is necessary to check if the product causes an adverse effect on your leather.
To do this, spray a little amount of the cleaner in a hidden part of your leather seat. Wait for 2 minutes and check if there are no damages caused by the solution.
If there is no sign of discoloration, spray just enough of the leather cleaner onto your soft-bristled brush and gently whisk it repeatedly to clean clogged perforated leather seats from top to bottom.
- Helpful Tip: If you have a perforated leather steering wheel, include it in your cleaning process.
Step 3: Deep clean the seat
Here’re some methods to clean the tiny holes that have been left uncleaned for a long time and have visible gunk that clogs the airflow:
- Toothpick Method
With just a toothpick, look for clogged holes and poke them with this helpful tip. It may be time-consuming, but it can fix your problem.
- Steam Clean Method
For steam cleaning, start with the top and then down to the bottom. The steam will likely soften the hardened dirt.
Then, brush it using a soft-bristled brush or a microfiber towel to clean holes in leather seats.
- Air Compressor or Compressor Cans Method
Blow the clogged gunk with the air compressor or compressor cans. Just pick out the blown grime and trash them away.
Step 4: Wipe away the leather cleaner residue.
It is essential that there is no filth left by the leather cleaner on your car seats or steering wheel to avoid dust. Wipe them with a microfiber towel until they feel filth-free and dry to the touch, or vacuum them again to ensure no moisture remains.
Check if the seats and steering wheel are clean and holes are clogged-free. If you are still trying to get more satisfied with it, you can repeat the first 3 steps until your eyes are content with the result.
Step 5: Apply leather conditioner for extra protection.
In applying your leather conditioner, it is important that you follow the instructions that come with your product label or manual. Religiously do the steps as stated and you can never go wrong.
Step 6. Make sure to dry your perforated leather seats.
Take another microfiber towel and pat the seats and steering wheel to dry. If necessary, change the microfiber towel if it is already damp with the solution.
Once you are sure the seats and steering wheel are completely dry, with another clean microfiber, wipe it in a circular motion to buff and polish. This method will leave your perforated leather shiny and squeaky clean.
You Can Clean Vomit With Just 5 Easy Steps
What You Need
Leather Cleaner or with household products such as vinegar and linseed oil.
DIY: In a spray bottle, add 5 tablespoons of vinegar and add 10 tablespoons of linseed oil. Shake well before use.
- Paper Towel
- Warm Water
- Microfiber Cloth
- Soft-Bristled Brush
- Step 1: Using the paper towel, scoop out as much of the vomit.
- Step 2: Moisten a microfiber cloth with warm water and wipe the dirty area.
- Step 3: Spray the soft-bristled brush with leather cleaner or your DIY mixture and brush it on the surface of the affected area.
- Step 4: Take another clean microfiber towel and wipe the excess residue of the cleaner.
- Step 5: Once all the perforations are clean and air-flowing, apply a leather conditioner on another microfiber cloth and wipe the affected area before completely drying it.
The worst car scenario is having your child or pet poop on your perforated seats which causes an intolerable smell to the occupants.
How to Clean Poop and Deodorize Leather Car Seats
What You Need
- Wet Wipes
- Air Fresheners
- Microfiber Towel
- Soft-Bristled old toothbrush
- Leather Cleaner or a mixture of Baking Soda and Vinegar
DIY: In a bowl, mix 1 ⅔ cups of baking soda and ½ cup of liquid soap. Add ½ cup of water then add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar. Shake well and transfer the mixture to a spray bottle.
- Step 1: Clean poop out with several wet wipes, carefully not to stain other areas. Repeat the process until there is no visible trace left.
- Step 2: Spray the leather cleaner or your DIY cleaning agent and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Step 3: Using your old soft-bristled dental brush, whisk away the poop particles that clog the perforations. Repeat the process until nothing’s left.
- Step 4: Wipe the residue with a microfiber towel until no trace of dirt on the perforated leather car seats.
- Step 5: Vinegar and baking soda get smells out of leather car seats. To remove odor, it is best to put car freshener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are leather seats perforated?
Leather seats are perforated to increase breathability and airflow, which explains the Porche’s ventilated seats. The holes allow air circulation, thus preventing sweating and discomfort.
What is the difference between leather and perforation?
Leather is taken from animals’ skin through a tanning process for preservation. It is a material that can be used in covering car seats.
Perforation, on the other hand, is a process of piercing holes in a material. Therefore a perforation on leather is a process of making holes in the leather to allow breathability and increased airflow.
Are perforated leather seats harder to clean?
Due to the holes in the leather, dirt and grime can get stuck through it. This may be more challenging to clean than just plain leather seats. However, if you know the right way to clean it, it is not an issue.
Conclusion
So you see, perforated leather car seats might be intimidating for a busy car owner like you, but once you read our steps, you can tell yourself that it is never a problem!
All you have to do is prepare the materials, set your cleaning area, and follow the easy steps, and you will be done doing this challenging task in time! Just by reading, you now can ace how to clean perforated leather car seats!
