Best product to clean and maintain leather?

Hi gurus. Recently purchased an 08 535. The interior is beautiful and I love it (natural brown color). I want to know what's the best product you guys would recommend to keep the leather clean and healthy, meaning I Dont want those color fading issues and wrinkles or tears and stuff. Thank you.

By no means a Guru...

1. Clean - there are two cleaning-related factors that can cause your leather to wear prematurely. The first is dirt, and the second is oil, combined they become very abrasive, as dirt / grit and subsequent friction cause the finish to wear

2. Hydrate – when leather tanner's talk about conditioning leather they are referring to its moisture content, re-hydration is used to restore or maintain fluid balance (transpiration and evaporation of moisture); not the replenishment or replacement of the fat liquoring, oils and / or waxes (finished leather (urethane ) doesn't require conditioning or rejuvenation)

3. Protect - is essential as it will protect the surface finish, without hindering transpiration, while acting as a sacrificial layer; this way you are not actually cleaning the Leather's original surface, but cleaning from the surface of the protection. It also makes dirt easier to clean off


1. "Leather Articles Hyperlinks" http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...yperlinks.html

2. "Proper Finished Leather Cleaning and Care" - http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...ning-care.html

I hope the information in these articles is of some help to you. If you have any further questions please let me know

Im a little confused. So your saying that these cars have furnished leather? And all we need to do is keep it clean and that should be enoigh? Thank you.

Our cars have coated leather, the key is to keep it clean to protect the coating.

To make it easy -
Vaccum and wipe down with damp cloth often.

I also use Leather Masters products - cleaner, vital, and protection cream. Use per manufacturers instructions and you're good.

Togwt is a guru, I'm just some dude, lol. There are a lot of misleading leather products out there, designed for uncoated leather, but marketed at newer cars which all have coated leather.

What about the products one would find at pepboys autozone etc etc? Thank you so much

If you have an Advance Auto Parts near you the Griots Leather care spray is decent, and they also have a clear interior cleaner that can be used for deeper cleaning on leather. I haven't use their Leather Care product, but I'll bet it's good as well if the seats need more attention. You can check stock online to find which advance has what you need, and usually ther are coupons if you order online and pick up in store.

The only other OTC I have experience with is Lexol, which I highly recommend against. It leaves a greasy finish, and is not designed for coated leather.

Cool thanks guys. Appreciate the help.

Another option...

I've had great success with the Leatherique Rejuvinator Oil and Letherique Pristine Clean combo.

Really nice stuff.

I use dubbin. Apply and leave overnight - polish off excess with clean cloth. I don't polish off the top of the rear seat. The sun causes excess to soak in. Also vacuum the seats alot to remove dust and grit build-up in the seams.