Alcantara is a common material for car seats, steering wheels, headliners, doors, and armrests, to mention a few. As far as caring for Alcantara is concerned, there are a lot of products available on the market. But the big question we’re answering today is, “can you use leather cleaner on Alcantara?”
While the answer to this question is pretty straightforward, there are a few things you need to understand.
It all depends on the type of leather cleaner you’re using. If you’re using a harsh chemicals-based leather cleaner, it’s not good to use it on Alcantara. This is because harsh chemicals can damage the delicate fibers of Alcantara, making them lose their original color and texture.
On the other hand, if you’re using a mild leather cleaner or a baby shampoo, it’s perfectly fine to use it on Alcantara. This is one of the best ways to actually clean Alcantara seats. Just make sure that you don’t use too much water while cleaning as it can damage the material.
Instead of using a regular leather cleaner, your best bet for cleaning your Alcantara surfaces is using products like the Sonax Upholstery And Alcantara Cleaner. This is specially formulated with Alcantara in mind and will not damage your surfaces.
Stick around as I delve into some of the important benefits of using a leather cleaner on your Alcantara and also a few downsides I uncovered.
Reasons You Can Use Leather Cleaner On Alcantara
Before we go into the pros and cons of using a leather cleaner on Alcantara, let’s look at why it is possible to use leather cleaner on Alcantara in the first place.
1. Leather Cleaner Contains A Gentle Cleaning Formula
One of the main reasons you can use leather cleaner on Alcantara is that it contains a gentle cleaning formula. This means that it’s not as harsh as other cleaners and won’t damage your Alcantara surfaces.
Most leather cleaners are made with natural ingredients like lanolin and beeswax, which help condition and protect the leather.
This means that using a leather cleaner on your Alcantara surfaces can help to keep them looking new for longer.
2. Leather Cleaner Contains Nourishing Oils
Another reason why you can use leather cleaner on Alcantara is because it contains nourishing oils. Although Alcantara is a synthetic material made to look and feel like suede, it’s actually quite sensitive.
This is why it’s important to use a cleaner that contains nourishing oils. These oils help to keep the fibers of Alcantara hydrated and looking good.
Some of the best leather cleaners contain jojoba oil, avocado oil, and almond oil -which are all safe to use on Alcantara.
Plus, these nourishing oils help to give the Alcantara a real suede leather feel – together with all the benefits of an Alcantara upholstery material.
3. Leather Cleaner Contains UV Protection
Similar to the point mentioned above on the nourishing oils, you can use leather cleaner on Alcantara because it contains UV protection.
As we all know, Alcantara can be sensitive to sunlight and can fade over time. This is why it’s important to use a UV protection cleaner.
The UV protection in the leather cleaner can leave behind a protective coating on the Alcantara which will help to keep it looking new for longer.
It is important to know that not all leather cleaner contains UV protection. So, if you’re looking for a cleaner that does, make sure to check the label before you buy it.
You can check out an article I wrote earlier about some of the best leather conditioners and cleaners with UV protection.
4. Leather Cleaners Are Easy To Use
Another great reason to use a leather cleaner on Alcantara is that they’re easy to use. Depending on the brand you get, Leather cleaners come in different forms.
There are leather cleaners that come in a spray bottle, while others come in a pump dispenser. There are also leather cleaners that come in a cream form.
But no matter what form the leather cleaner comes in; they’re all pretty easy to use. You simply need to follow the instructions on the label, and you’ll be good to go.
I usually like leather cleaners that come in a spray bottle as all you need to do is spray the cleaner on the surface and then wipe it off with a clean cloth.
These leather cleaners come in a convenient spray bottle which makes them easy to use even if you’re a complete beginner. Plus, you don’t need to worry about using too much or too little of the cleaner as you would with other cleaners.
5. Leather Cleaner Is Versatile
Last but not least, leather cleaner is versatile. This means that you can use it on various car interior materials, not just Alcantara. So, for example, you can use leather cleaners on your leather or vinyl dashboards and other plastic surfaces.
This is great news as it means that you can get a completely clean of your car interior without having to buy multiple cleaners for different materials.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why you can use leather cleaner on Alcantara. So, if you’re looking for a product that can help keep your Alcantara seats or steering wheel in good condition, then leather cleaner is a good option.
The Pros Of Using Leather Cleaner On Alcantara
Now that we know the main reasons you can use leather cleaner on Alcantara, let’s look at some of the benefits of using a leather cleaner on Alcantara.
- Leather Cleaner Can Help Remove Tough Stains
One of the benefits of using a leather cleaner on Alcantara is that it can help to remove tough stains. If you have kids or pets, you know how difficult it can be to keep your car’s interior clean.
But with a good quality leather cleaner, you can easily remove any tough stains from your Alcantara surfaces without any hassle.
- Leather Cleaner Can Help Prevent Fading
As we mentioned before, Alcantara is sensitive to sunlight and can fade over time. This is why it’s important to use a UV protection cleaner.
The UV protection in the leather cleaner can help to prevent fading and keep your Alcantara looking new for longer.
- Leather Cleaner Can Help Restore The Color Of Your Alcantara
If your Alcantara has lost its color over time, you’ll be happy to know that leather cleaner can help restore the color of your Alcantara, whether it’s your car seats, armrest, or steering wheel.
Leather cleaners contain nourishing oils and coloring restoration properties that can help bring back the original color of your Alcantara. So, if your Alcantara looks a little dull, then using a leather cleaner can help restore its color.
- Leather Cleaner Neutralizes Bad Odors On Alcantara
Another benefit of using a leather cleaner on Alcantara is that it can help to neutralize any bad odors. So if your car interior has problems with sweat and body oil build-up causing foul odors, then using a leather cleaner can help eliminate these odors.
This is because leather cleaners contain agents that can neutralize bad smells, leaving your car smelling fresh and clean. This is also perfect if you have kids or pets.
- Helps To Remove Sticky Residue From Alcantara
Alcantara steering wheel, armrests, and seats tend to have a lot of contact with our hands and body, leaving behind a sticky residue.
This sticky residue can be difficult to remove, especially from Alcantara. But with a leather cleaner, you can easily remove any sticky residue from your Alcantara within very few steps.
- Easily And Safely Removes Grease Stains
Apart from the sticky residue, our hands and body can also leave behind grease stains on Alcantara. And just like the sticky residue, these grease stains can be difficult to remove.
Also, if you love snacking in your car, then grease stains are inevitable. But with a leather cleaner, you can easily and safely remove any grease stains from your Alcantara without damaging the material.
- Keeps Leather Nice And Supple
Another thing the leather cleaner does for Alcantara is keeping the leather nice and supple. This is important as Alcantara can become hard and brittle over time, especially if exposed to sunlight or extreme weather conditions.
But with a leather cleaner, you can keep your Alcantara soft and supple for many years.
The Downside Of Using Leather Cleaner On Alcantara
It’s not all roses when using leather cleaner on Alcantara. There is one major drawback to using leather conditioner on Alcantara;
- It Can Be Difficult To Remove All Leather Cleaner Residue
Alcantara has a nap or velvet-like surface, and because of this, it can be difficult to remove all the leather cleaner residue.
If you don’t remove all the residue, it can attract dirt and dust, which can eventually lead to your Alcantara getting stained.
So, if you’re going to use a leather cleaner on Alcantara, make sure that you’re prepared to spend some time removing all the soap residue.
How To Safely Use Leather Cleaner On Alcantara
Now that we’ve gone over the pros and cons of using leather cleaner on Alcantara, let’s talk about how you can safely use it.
Things Needed:
- Leather Cleaner
- Microfiber Cloth
- Leather Cleaning Brush
- (Optional)
Step One: Vacuum The Alcantara Surface
- The first step is to vacuum the Alcantara surface.
- This will help remove any dirt, dust, and debris on the surface.
Step Two: Apply The Leather Cleaner
- The next step is to apply the leather cleaner. You can do this by spraying the leather cleaner on the microfiber cloth and then wiping it on the Alcantara surface.
- Or, if you’re using a leather cleaning brush, you can apply the leather cleaner directly to the brush and then brush it onto the Alcantara surface.
Step Three: Wipe The Leather Cleaner Off
- Once you’ve applied the leather cleaner, the next step is to wipe it off.
- You can do this by using a damp microfiber cloth and wiping in a circular motion until all the soap residue is gone.
- Make sure to pay extra attention to any creases or seams, as this is where the soap residue can build up.
Step Four: Vacuum The Alcantara Surface Again
- The last step is to vacuum the Alcantara surface again.
- This will help remove any dirt or debris loosened up by the leather cleaner.
Step Five: Allow The Alcantara To Air Dry
- Once you’ve vacuumed the Alcantara surface, the next step is to allow it to air dry.
- Do not use a towel or other cloth to dry the Alcantara as this can cause streaks or water spots.
- Allow the Alcantara to air dry overnight before using it.
And that’s it! Now you know how to use leather cleaner on Alcantara safely. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have no problem keeping your Alcantara clean and fresh.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a lot of pros to using leather cleaner on Alcantara, but the downside shouldn’t be overlooked. I would always recommend the right cleaners for the right job, in which case, when it comes to Alcantara, the Sonax Upholstery And Alcantara Cleaner is the best option.
But, if you don’t have that available or you’re on a budget, then a leather cleaner is a good alternative. Just remove all the soap residue and allow the Alcantara to air dry overnight before using it.
I hope this article has helped you understand a little more about whether or not you use leather cleaner on Alcantara. Feel free to share this article with family and friends who might find it helpful. Thanks for reading!
