Although leather car seats generally resist dirt and stains much better than cloth car seats, leather car seats can suffer from some wear and tear over time. Stains that remain untreated for a long time can eventually damage the seats and be impossible to remove. It is important to remove stains as soon as you see them. But you don’t have to wait until you see the stains to start cleaning them. Keep your seats clean and prevent permanent stains and discoloration by cleaning them regularly. Here are simple instructions on how to remove stains from your car’s leather seats.

• Oil stains: Cornstarch is a great product not only for cooking but also for removing oil-based stains. You will be surprised how this inexpensive little product you have on your kitchen cabinet will remove oil stains. Food, sweat, or hair stains are all oil-based stains and can be removed with cornstarch. Just rub the cornstarch into the stain with your fingertips. Rub in a clockwise direction for about 30 seconds and then counter-clockwise for another 30 seconds. Next, take a paper towel and hold it firmly on the stain for about a minute or so. If you don’t have cornstarch available, you can also try potato starch or talcum powder, although cornstarch has been shown to be the best oil-based stain remover.
• Water stains: You would think that water cleans things, not stains them. But water droplets can cause irritating stains. But water stains are not difficult to remove. When you look at the stain, it’s not all over the place that needs to be removed. Only the dark line on the outside of the stain is the actual stain. Once you remove it, the interior is not really visible. To remove the outer line, take a damp, lint-free microfiber cloth or damp sponge and use the same technique as with the paper towel on the oil stain. Keep the sponge or cloth pressed firmly against the stain for about a minute or two. Absorb excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth.
• Mold or mildew stains: Not only do these stains look nasty, but if left untreated they will make your car smell nasty too. To remove mold or mildew stains, prepare a solution of half water and half isopropyl alcohol. Take a cloth or thick paper towel and use the same method as above.
• Dirt stains: Dirt is perhaps the easiest type of stain to remove. You can use a dry toothbrush to remove dirt or other debris. If the dirt is especially stubborn and won’t come off, put some dish liquid on the toothbrush and try scrubbing it again.

Remember, to keep your leather seats looking new for as long as possible, treat the stain as soon as you see it. Don’t let the stain get so thick and lumpy that you can’t remove it. Getting car seat covers is also a good investment to keep your car seats cleaner longer. Car seat covers can protect your seats by preventing spills, food and dirt from falling on them.