Leather dashboard is a popular choice for car interiors. It looks luxurious and adds an extra touch of style to the vehicle. However, it’s important to take care of leather dashboard if you want it to last. In this comprehensive guide, I will discuss how to clean, condition, protect, and repair leather dashboards. I’ll also provide some helpful tips on how to keep it looking its best.
1. Clean Your Leather Dashboards Regularly
The first primary way of taking care of your leather dashboard is by knowing how to clean them properly.
Cleaning your leather dashboard regularly helps to get rid of dirt, dust, stains, grime, and other debris that can damage the leather material.
It is important to clean your leather dashboard every few weeks or at least once a month using the right cleaning products and methods.
When cleaning your leather dashboards, it is important to use a soft microfiber cloth and mild dish soap or saddle soap.
There are a few ways to clean your leather dashboards. Here are the two most common yet effective ways to clean your leather dashboards;
Method One: Cleaning Leather Dashboards Using Mild Dish Soap
Using mild dish soap is one of the common ways to clean leather dashboards. Mild dish soaps are designed to break down grease, dirt, and any kind of grime that can be found on the leather material.
To properly clean your leather dashboard using mild dish soap, you will need the following materials:
- A soft microfiber cloth
- Mild dish soap
- Lukewarm water
Step Zero:
Use a vacuum cleaner or a clean brush to dust off any dirt, dust, or debris from the surface of your leather dashboard.
Step One:
- First, mix a few drops of the mild dish soap into a bowl of lukewarm water.
Step Two:
- Next, take your soft microfiber cloth and dip it into the soapy solution and wring it out.
Step Three:
- After that, start wiping down your leather dashboard in a circular motion.
- Make sure to wipe every nuke and cranny on the leather dashboard.
Step Four:
- Once you’re done, take another clean and dry microfiber cloth and wipe off any excess soap solution from the dashboard.
- You can also use a damp microfiber cloth.
Step Five:
- Leave your leather dashboard to air dry lightly.
Done! your leather dashboard should be void of any dirt, dust, and grime. However, if you have tough stains on your leather dashboard that just won’t come off no matter how much you scrub, then you will need to follow the second method below.
Method Two: Cleaning Leather Dashboards Using A Leather Cleaner
Before cleaning your leather dashboard, you will need to remove any loose dirt and debris. You can do this by using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.
You would also need a good leather cleaner as a lot of the others may be too harsh or drying for the leather.
Once you have removed the loose dirt and have gotten a good leather cleaner, follow these steps to start cleaning your leather dashboard.
Step One:
- To start, spray the leather cleaner onto the surface of your leather dashboard.
- Make sure not to oversaturate the surface of your leather dashboard with the leather cleaner.
Step Two:
- Next, use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe down the dashboard in a circular motion.
- Make sure to reach every nook and cranny on the leather dashboard.
Step Three:
- Once you’re done wiping down the dashboard with the leather cleaner, you can use a clean microfiber cloth to remove any excess cleaner residue.
2. Condition Your Leather Dashboards After Cleaning
Conditioning leather dashboards is just as important as cleaning them. It is a process that usually comes after you’re done cleaning your leather dashboards.
Conditioning leather dashboards help to restore moisture, nutrients, and oils that are lost during the cleaning process. It also helps to protect the leather from cracking, fading, and other forms of damage.
There are different types of leather conditioners you can use for this process. However, it is important to use a leather conditioner that is compatible with the type of leather your dashboard is made of.
Or go for leather conditioners that are widely applicable to different types of leather, like the Leather Honey Leather Conditioner.
To properly condition your leather dashboard, you will need the following materials:
- A clean microfiber cloth
- A leather conditioner
Step One:
- Apply a liberal amount of leather conditioner to your microfiber cloth.
- You do not want to spray the leather conditioner directly onto the leather dashboard as this can lead to oversaturation or staining.
Step Two:
- After that, start wiping down your leather dashboard with the cloth in a circular motion.
- Make sure to reach every nook and cranny on your leather dashboard.
Step Three:
- Once you’re done, use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to wipe off any excess leather conditioner from the surface of your dashboard.
Buff lightly to ensure there are no streaks left behind. And that’s it!
3. Protect Your Leather Dashboards
After you have cleaned and conditioned your leather dashboards, the next step is to protect them.
This is important as it helps to keep your leather dashboards looking good for a longer period of time.
Protecting your leather dashboards also helps to prevent stains and damage from the weather elements like the sun and rain.
Using Leather Sealant Or Protector
There are different ways you can protect your leather dashboards. One way is to use a quality leather sealant or protector.
Most leather conditioners will have some form of sealant or protection in them. However, if you want something more durable, you can go for a standalone leather sealant or protector.
To use the leather sealant or protector on your leather dashboard, make sure to follow the application procedures stated on the product’s packaging.
It will usually be along the lines of the steps stated below;
Step One:
- After your leather has been thoroughly cleaned and conditioned, it is time to apply the leather sealant or protector.
- To do this, spray or squirt a generous amount of the sealant onto your microfiber cloth.
Step Two:
- Next, start wiping down your leather dashboard with a cloth.
- Make sure the application is as even as possible.
- Pro-tip is to work in small sections of the leather dashboard to avoid oversaturating the surface.
Step Three:
- After you’re done, allow the sealant or protector to dry completely before using your car.
And that’s it! Your leather dashboards are now protected from stains, moisture, and other damage. There you have it!
Using A Dashboard Cover Or Mat
Another way to protect your leather dashboards is to use a dashboard cover or mat.
This is a great option if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions like very hot summers.
Dashboard covers and mats help to keep your leather dashboards protected from the sun, rain, snow, and other elements.
They also help to keep your dashboards clean as they can catch any dirt, dust, or debris that might fall on them.
When choosing a dashboard cover or mat, make sure to pick one that is made of breathable material.
This will help to prevent the formation of mold and mildew on your leather dashboards.
It is also important to choose a dashboard cover or mat that is the right size for your car.
This will ensure that it fits snugly and does not move around when you are driving.
To use a dashboard cover or mat, simply place it on top of your leather dashboards.
And that’s it! You can now rest assured knowing that your leather dashboards are well-protected.
Important Leather Dashboard Care Tips
Now that you know how to take care of leather dashboards, here are some important tips to keep in mind;
- Avoid exposing your leather dashboards to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. This can cause the leather to fade and crack over time.
- Do not use harsh chemicals or cleaners on your leather dashboards as this can damage the surface.
- Do not smoke in your car, as the nicotine from cigarettes can discolor your leather dashboards.
- Try to keep food and drinks away from your leather dashboards to avoid stains.
- Wipes your leather dashboards frequently to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that might have accumulated on the surface.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your leather dashboards is not difficult.
By following the steps stated above, you can easily keep your leather dashboards clean, conditioned, and protected.
Thank you for sticking to the end of this article. You can browse other similar content on our website.
Do you have any tips on how to take care of leather dashboards? We would love to hear from you in the comments section below.
Please share this article with your friends and family if you found it helpful. Thank you for reading!
