Leather Care 101: Cleaning, Conditioning & Protecting Your Interior

August 21 2025, by Bryan Afonso, 4 min reading time

When it comes to car detailing, leather care is one area that requires proper maintenance, it can mean the difference between a worn, cracked look and a supple, showroom-quality finish. At Pal Automotive Specialties, we stock a full range of leather-safe cleaners, conditioners, and coatings to keep your ride’s interior looking its best.

Let’s break down the process step by step:

Step 1: Identifying the Stain & Choosing the Right Cleaner

Not all stains are created equal, and using the wrong cleaner can do more harm than good.

Light Everyday to Heavy Grime like coffee/drink spills or food. Use a dedicated leather cleaner or "Leather Safe" for safe, pH-balanced cleaning.
- Example: P&S Xpress Interior Cleaner – Extremely gentle even on older interiors and leather that can get damaged with harsher cleaners, versatile, and safe on modern coated leather with powerful cleaning properties.
- Example: Koch-Chemie Leather Star – Specially designed cleaner formulated to gently cleanse leather, suede, alcantara, and perforated leather surfaces. Koch-Chemie Leather Star leaves leather surfaces with a clean, OEM finish that's not slippery.
- Example: 3D GLW Leather Cleaner - meticulously designed to deliver a gentle, yet powerful, deep cleaning performance. This exceptional formula excels in eliminating a wide range of contaminants, including dirt, grease, body oils, and perspiration, from various leather types with a precisely balanced pH formula.

Organic Residues & Body Oils → For deeper cleaning, a mild all-purpose cleaner (APC) that’s leather safe works great.
- Example: 3D LVP Cleaner - Multi-purpose cleaner for every conceivable surface inside your car including leather, vinyl, plastic, cloth, fabrics, plastics, and metal surfaces. Safely cleans with zero risk of accidental staining or altering of the appearance on any surface it’s used on.
- Example: Koch-Chemie Pol Star – excellent foaming action and deep cleaning while staying leather-safe.
- Example: P&S Cockpit Interior Cleaner - Cockpit Interior Cleaner is set for cleaning all surfaces of the interior without the risk of damage. Cockpit was developed for use on all types of surfaces including rubber, plastic, vinyl and leather.

Quick tip: Always apply your product to a microfiber applicator or soft brush, never directly onto the leather, and test in a hidden area first.

Step 2: Moisturizing & Conditioning

Leather is skin — and just like skin, it dries out over time. Keeping it moisturized prevents cracking, fading, and stiffness.

Conditioners penetrate the leather surface to restore suppleness.
- Example: The 3D GLW Series Leather Conditioner - sets the bar for conditioning and restoring leather, complete with advanced UV protection. If your leather has lost its luster and appears dull and faded, this Leather Conditioner is the go-to product for revival and rejuvenation.
- Example: P&S Leather Treatment – adds a satin finish without a greasy residue. Revives leather and infuses interiors with an intense scent that lasts and lasts. Leather Treatment is the ideal product for reconditioning lifeless weathered automotive leather seats.

Quick Tip: Apply evenly with a foam applicator pad, let it absorb, and buff away excess with a clean microfiber towel.

Step 3: Modern Protection with Leather & Interior Coatings

Conditioners are great, but modern detailing has taken leather care a step further with interior coatings. These advanced formulas provide a semi-permanent barrier against UV rays, spills, dye transfer, and abrasion.

Coating Option: GYEON Leather Coat – EASY TO USE: Just one layer of Q² LeatherCoat car care ensures a high level of protection as the coating itself is hydrophobic and repels both liquids and dirt.
Coating Option: GYEON Q2 Leather Shield – hydrophobic and UV protection that resists staining while keeping the leather soft to the touch with OEM look and feel. Specifically Designed to be the world's First Leather specific Coating.

Pro Tips for Leather Care

Vacuum first to remove grit before scrubbing.
Use a soft leather brush for textured surfaces to pull dirt from pores.
Avoid harsh chemicals or magic erasers — they strip protective coatings.
Regularly maintain: light cleaning monthly, conditioning every 3–6 months, coating every 1–2 years.

At Pal Automotive Specialties, we carry everything you need to clean, condition, and protect your vehicle’s leather — whether you’re a professional detailer or a passionate DIYer.

Explore our full selection of interior care products and give your leather the treatment it deserves.