Leather has been a feature of car seats and car upholstery for over 100 years. Originally, skins and hides were subject to vegetable tanning, without any surface colouration, then oiled and greased to prevent water penetration.

Later colour was applied to make leather surfaces more resistant to humidity and general soiling. Vegetable tanning was eventually replaced by chrome tanning, which is a much faster process and therefore more industrially viable. Today, most car manufacturers use chrome-tanned leather apart from Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche, who prefer synthetic tanned leather.

Car manufacturers carry out various tests on leather, including tear strength of leather, vapour permeability, squeaks and rattles, flammability, soiling and smell. The smell test is probably the only one not requiring a machine. Due to the rigorous testing processes, car leathers are very uniform in appearance, almost always single-coloured, smooth leather. These standard leathers are used with different combinations. For example, Alcantara (synthetic material) is used on Porsche steering wheels and side panels. A combination of Nubuck and semi aniline leather is used in the Bugatti Veyron. Semi aniline leathers are softer to the touch compared to the normal pigmented leathers, as they have significantly less surface colouration. But  they are also extremely hard to maintain, as water will penetrate through the surface. The exclusive Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 coupé was also made with semi-aniline leather interior. We recommend waterproofing these types of leathers to avoid permanent marks and retain their natural qualities.

Interesting fact: Bentley mainly use bull hides from Northern European farms because they do not have barbed wire fencing, thus reducing the risk of natural marks and scars on the cattle.

Automotive leather maintenance

The following instructions would only apply to leather that is not porous i.e water does not penetrate through the surface. Car Leather is one of the easiest forms of leather to clean and care for. Depending on the degree of soiling, we recommend cleaning car leather seats with either our plant based Rapid Cleaner or for heavier soiling Rapid PRO leather cleaner supplied in a foam dispenser bottle and the Geist Leather Cleaning Brush. Foam dispenser ensures minimal use of the product and, most importantly, ensures the leather does not get too wet which causes it to get dry and crack with time.

New car leather seats and upholstery do not need any type of protection, feed or care products within the first 3 years. They have a heavy layer of colour on them and any care product applied will not penetrate the surface. It does however need protection from surface colour damage, caused by friction. Entry and exit points of driver seats are the most common areas for this type of damage but there might be other areas which get affected, depending on the use of the car and the type of seats, or example, bucket seats.  Dye & Friction Blocker is an ideal product to prevent these type of damages. It also prevents against dye transfer onto leather, commonly found on lighter coloured leather interiors. Geist Blocker offers protection for anywhere between 3-6 months. For longer protection, we recommend using Geist Repel - a long term leather coating with UV that protects against jeans, denim and other staining for up to 12 months + 

Older leather, (cars older than 3 years) - The vapour permeability of leather is inherently high. However, the use of fats and greases during the manufacturing process improve water resistance of the leather. As the leather gets older and is used more, the pores become open (visible only under a microscope) and the leather becomes more receptive to care products. Leather Conditioner has UV filters that protect from sun damage and antioxidants that keep the leather soft and prevent it from drying and ageing. It gives a matt finish. 

Leather Preserver is another care product we provide. It is a purely synthetic, acid free leather wax and an ideal treatment for antique leathers, glossy leathers in Classic Cars. It refreshes and waterproofs the leather and prevents mildew growth. Ideal treatment for old, dry and cracked Leather. 

We hope that you find this information useful and would love to hear your comments and feedback.If there are any particular leather issues you want us to blog about in the future, please let us know.

Alcantara – known as Ultrasuede in the US – was developed in Japan in the 1970s as a synthetic alternative to suede. This ultra-microfiber material is highly versatile, being widely used in furniture, clothing, and the automotive industry for headliners, seating, dashboard trimming, and steering wheels. It is more durable and stain-resistant than traditional suede and offers excellent fire-retardant qualities, which make it particularly suitable for automotive applications.

Care Instructions:

• Regular Maintenance: Vacuum Alcantara regularly to remove dust and dirt. Occasionally, wipe with a damp cloth to maintain the material's appearance.

• Normal Dirt and Stains: Treat with Geist Alcantara & Textile Cleaner, applying the cleaner with a damp cloth.

• Larger Surface Areas: Lightly wet the stained area with Geist Fabric & Upholstery Cleaner, then gently wipe with a terry cloth. Repeat if necessary.

• Removing Stains: Use a foam dispenser to apply cleaner with a sponge or soft brush, working in circular motions. Wipe with a damp cloth, being careful not to rub too hard or oversaturate the material. For persistent stains, it's recommended to consult a professional cleaner rather than risk damage. For fresh stains, first soak up excess liquid with a clean, absorbent terry cloth. A viscose cloth is ideal for fresh spills. When cleaning large stains, work from seam to seam using circular motions.

• Grease and Wax Stains: For greasy or waxy stains, use Geist Leather Degreaser D1 or D2 in addition to the Textile Cleaner. Always test the product on a hidden area first.

• Pilling: Abrasion may cause Alcantara to develop small balls of fibre or "pilling." In this case, the surface can often be restored using a Leather Sanding Pad, provided the damage is minimal.

Protecting Alcantara: To prevent future stains and soil buildup, protect the surface with Geist Fabric Protector and avoid exposing the material to excessive heat.

Recommended Products:

• Fabric & Upholstery Cleaner 500 ml: Ideal for regular cleaning, sufficient for four seats or more.
• Degreaser D1 250 ml: Effective for cleaning oily and greasy stains.
• Fabric Protector 500 ml: Provides a water-repellent barrier.
• Leather Sanding Pad: Useful for restoring Alcantara affected by pilling.