Cleaning your car’s leather seats is not an easy task. It requires a lot of time and patience to be successful. But you know what?
The results are worth it! And the process can be made easier with some baking soda, which helps dissolve stains and remove odors from your seat cushions. Before I tell you how to do it, let’s take a look at baking soda is among a few other things;
What Is Baking Soda?
Baking soda is a white, powdery substance that is made up of sodium bicarbonate. It has many uses and can be used to remove odors and stains from various things around the house and your car.
It contains cleaning agents that are not abrasive and won’t damage the leather car seats, which makes it a good product to use for this purpose.
The fact that it is also non-toxic makes it ideal for use on delicate surfaces like car leather seats.
Why Does Baking Soda Work When Cleaning Leather Car Seats?
Baking soda is effective at cleaning leather car seats because it is a gentle abrasive. It helps to remove the dirt and oils that have built up on the surface of the leather over time.
It also has properties that help to get rid of any unpleasant odors that may be present in the seat cushions.
All of these factors and more make it the perfect choice for cleaning leather car seats.
The Pros And Cons Of Using Baking Soda On Leather Car Seats
Now that we have a fair knowledge of what baking soda is, it’s time to look at the pros and cons of using it when cleaning leather car seats.
Pros:
- Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that won’t damage the surface of your car’s leather seats.
- It has properties that help to remove dirt, oils, and any unpleasant odors that may be present.
- It is a non-toxic substance, which makes it ideal for use on delicate surfaces like car leather seats.
- Baking soda is a really cheap and easy-to-find product.
- Using baking soda is a chemical-free alternative to harsh leather cleaning products.
- Baking soda is pH balanced, which means it won’t disrupt the pH balance of your car seats.
Cons:
- Baking soda can be messy and difficult to work with, especially if you’re trying to clean a large area.
- It can take a bit of time and elbow grease to get the desired results when cleaning leather car seats.
Details On How To Clean Leather Car Seats With Baking Soda
There are different situations where baking soda can be used to clean in many of these cases, you would use the baking soda slightly differently.
In all cases, make sure to test an inconspicuous area of the leather car seat before you start scrubbing away any dirt or stains.
Here are six different ways that you can use baking soda when cleaning leather car seats;
1. If Your Leather Car Seats Have Stains
This is the situation most people will find themselves in when they realize their leather car seats are stained.
There are lots of different types of stains that can end up on your leather car seats, but here is how you can use baking soda to clean your leather car seats if they are stained with food and drink spills, dirt, or even makeup.
Things Needed:
- Warm Water
- Baking Soda
- Microfiber Cloth
- Leather Conditioner
Procedure:
Step 1:
- First things first, if you’ve got any liquid-based messes on your leather car seats, you’ll need to clean as much as possible using paper towels before moving on to treat or clean the stain baking soda.
Step 2:
- Once the seats are relatively dry, mix together a small amount of baking soda with just enough warm water to form a paste.
Step 3:
- Apply this paste directly to the stain and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Step 4:
- Now use a damp microfiber cloth to scrub at the paste and the stain until it has been removed.
- For tough stains, you may need to repeat the process a few times.
- Once done, simply wipe away with your microfiber cloth and then buff dry if needed.
Step 5:
- Apply your regular leather conditioner and your leather seats will be as good as new.
- It is always a good idea to condition your leather car seats immediately after it is cleaned.
2. If Your Leather Car Seats Have Odors: Method 1
The approach to cleaning your leather car seats with baking soda if you have odors or strong smells on them is definitely different from cleaning stains and spills.
Things Needed:
- Baking Soda
- Vacuum Cleaner With Attachments or a Microfiber Cloth (Damp)
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Sprinkle some baking soda directly on the leather car seat and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- You can also leave the baking soda on overnight.
- But before doing this, make sure the leather car seat is clean or free from any foreign materials.
Step 2:
- Next, once you have waited a few hours, use your vacuum cleaner with attachments to suck up the baking soda along with any odor-causing particles that are present.
- Alternatively, you can also wipe some damp microfiber cloth over the seats if you do not have a vacuum cleaner for your car.
- If you used a damp microfiber cloth, buff dry with a dry clean microfiber cloth and allow to air dry.
Step 3:
- Air out your leather car seats by opening the door or rolling down the window for a few minutes. Voila!
3. If Your Leather Car Seats Have Odors: Method 2
There is another way you can use baking soda to clean strong odors and smells from your leather car seats.
As a matter of fact, this is my personal favorite and I love it when my wife particularly does it. Over this winter, she had a heavenly baking soda recipe for my leather car seats and I’m super excited to share it with you. Here’s what she thought me;
Things Needed:
- Baking Soda
- Your Favorite Essential Oil
- Spray Bottle
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- First, make sure your leather car seats are clean.
Step 2:
- Put one tablespoon of baking soda into a bowl and add some drops of your favorite essential oils.
- The amount of oil you add will depend on how strong you want the smell to be so just add a few drops and mix it in.
- You can use other essential oils but if you want to have that nice wintertime smell, opt for peppermint or eucalyptus oil as these two are considered the best smelling essential oils around.
- You can also do cinnamon or clove oil which are also especially suited for fall and winter.
Step 3:
- Next, add the mixture to a spray bottle, fill it up with water and mix thoroughly by shaking the spray bottle.
Step 4:
- The next step is very important so please pay close attention.
- Give your leather car seats a good misting of this solution, let it sit for a few seconds, and then wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.
- This is the only way to clean your leather car seats without leaving any greasy residue or streaks.
Step 5:
- Once you are done, just let your leather car seats air out by opening the door or window for a few minutes.
- This will leave behind a natural and refreshing smell. Enjoy!
4. If Your Leather Car Seats Have Both Stains and Odors
There are instances where you would have both stains and odors on your leather car seats. In this case, you can use Method One for the stains and Method Two for the smells.
Just make sure that you do not mix the two methods together or else it will not work as effectively. Remember to give your leather car seats a good airing out after cleaning them using either of these methods.
But you can also use this method I’m about to show you so that you kill two birds with one stone. This way you do not have to inconvenience yourself by doing two separate cleanings.
Things Needed:
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Distilled Water
- Spray Bottle
- Microfiber Cloth
- Mild Dish Soap Or Baby Shampoo
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of white vinegar, a tablespoon of mild dish soap, and a cup of distilled water in a spray bottle.
- Make sure to shake the bottle to mix everything up well.
Step 2:
- Now, before you start cleaning your leather car seats, it is important to test this mixture on a small, inconspicuous area first.
- This is to make sure that the mixture does not damage your leather car seats.
Step 3:
- Now spritz a small area of your seat with the baking soda mixture and use a microfiber cloth to work it in.
- Once that section is done, move on to another small section and repeat the process until you have thoroughly cleaned the entire surface of your leather car seats.
- The good thing about this method is that you can use the same solution for the stains and the smells.
Step 4:
- Now use a completely damp microfiber cloth to wipe the entire surface of your leather car seats clean.
Step 5:
- Buff off the surface again with a dry microfiber cloth.
Step 6:
- Now it is time for the final step which is to apply a leather conditioner and let your leather car seats air out.
5. If Your Leather Car Seats Have Grease or Oil Stains: Method 1
Grease and oil stains can be some of the toughest stains to deal with on your leather car seats.
But there are ways you can work around it which I will show you below.
Things Needed:
- Baking Soda
- Dish Soap
- Warm Water
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda and dish soap into a bowl of warm water. You can also use baby shampoo for this purpose as well if you do not have dish soap.
Step 2:
- Now take your microfiber cloth and dip it into this mixture and slightly wring it out.
- You do not want the microfiber cloth to be soaking wet.
Step 3:
- Sparingly dab the baking soda solution onto your leather car seats and scrub the solution into your leather car seats with a microfiber cloth to remove the grease or oil stains.
- Make sure the solution is warm throughout the process for the best results.
- Continue wiping the area until the stain is removed.
Step 4:
- Once you have removed the grease or oil stains from your leather car seats, it is time for the final step.
- Take a clean, damp microfiber cloth and wipe your leather car seats completely dry.
- Now follow up by applying a leather conditioner to your leather car seats and let them air out.
6. If Your Leather Car Seats Have Grease or Oil Stains: Method 2
There is another method for cleaning grease or oil stains with baking soda. Here’s what it involves;
Things Needed:
- Baking Soda
- Soft Bristled Brush Or Vacuum Cleaner
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Simply sprinkle the baking soda on the grease or oil stains and let it sit for a few minutes.
- The longer it stays on the stain, the better as it will give the baking soda more time to absorb the grease or oil.
Step 2:
- Take your soft bristled brush or vacuum cleaner and start brushing off or vacuuming all of the baking soda residues for the leather car seat.
- You may need to use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away the residues.
- Take a look at how the stains have been removed.
- You can repeat the same steps until the stains are completely gone.
Step 3:
- Let the leather car seats air out.
Important Tips To Remember When Using Baking Soda To Clean Leather Car Seats
- Make sure to test the baking soda mixture on a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire surface of your leather car seats.
- Do not use too much water when cleaning as it may lead to mold or mildew growth on the leather car seats.
- Be gentle when scrubbing the baking soda solution into your leather car seats as you do not want to scratch the surface of your leather car seats.
- Make sure the baking soda is dissolved before applying it to the leather car seats.
- Let the leather car seats air out after cleaning and applying a leather conditioner for the best results.
- Make sure to buff off any residues with a dry microfiber cloth.
- Always finish up by applying a leather conditioner to your leather car seats.
Final Thoughts
Leather car seats can be a real pain to clean. But with the right tools, material, and methods, you can easily get the job done.
I hope the tips and tricks I have shared in this article on the various ways you can use baking soda to clean your leather car seats have been helpful.
Remember, always test the baking soda mixture on a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire surface of your leather car seats.
So don’t wait any longer and start cleaning those leather car seats today!
