Hi guys.

For those of you with the standard leatherette seats.. what do you use to clean them/keep them looking new?

I would like to clean mine, but I don't want to use something that will do any long term damage to them, and I also don't want to use something that will have some artificial smell that lingers in the car.

So please let me know how you clean them, and what you use.

Thanks, and have a great weekend!

 

I use Nivea Body Creme, it cleans and feeds the leather at the same time.
Just take a small towel, make him a little wet a,d put some Nivea on it,
now rub your seats with it, I do it every 2 months,
when it's really hot like in the summer then every month . . .

 

ive been using maguire's vinyl cleaner for awhile now without any bad results.. it doesn't smell, shines it up real nice, and when freshly applied it has that new vinyl squeak that originally came with the seat!

but quite prone to overspray, and sometimes it does appear on the trim and become black dots... annoying, but take your time and it is a good cleaner to use

 

Be careful when cleaning the leatherette upholstery. I have used a couple of "famous name" leather cleaners that don't agree with the MINI's faux leather. Always try a new product on a small spot first. I agree that Meguiar's makes good stuff. I like the Gold Class leather wipes. No overspray to worry about, and easy to wipe on the seats. Make sure you seal the container up after use as they will dry out quickly. I also use Vinylex on the dash and doors for a rich-looking sheen.

 

My MCS with leatherette is a test car for ArmorAll. [Unofficially] After 51k miles and two years of my butt in the driver's seat the leatherette looks brand new.

Godspeed.

 

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on mine. Great stuff!

 

This product is a great alternative:

Vinylex by Lexol

www.lexol.com

I have used it on my Leatherette seats and exterior plastic bits with a high degree of success. It deep cleans and protects your plastic, rubber and vinyl without fading out or leaving a greasy residue (Armor All is notable for this).

Highly recommended

 

I've been using the Meguiar's Gold Class Vinyl cleaner too. It does look nice and has U/V protectant (which you should look for in any protectant. You do have to really be sure and get an even application or (like kyriian mentioned) you will end up with spots that are darker than others.

I think I'll try the 303 next time also. Everyone raves about it.

 

All I have been using is a damp cloth(water). I guess I should try some of these products. I just dont want the color to fade or anything... Like some cleaners.

 

Best stuff on the market. You can use it on the rest of the interior also. The Local BMW/MINI dealer recommends it over the other products they carry - even the BMW and MINI labelled products.

 

I agree that both 303 Aerospace and Vinylex are both excellent waterbased protectants. They are very safe to use on the seats.

For an excellent cleaner, I like 1Z Reineger. It is an incredible cleaner. Then follow up with 303 or Vinylex.

 

do you really need to use another cleaner for the exterior vinyl? Is just washing the car not enought of a "cleaner"?

 

Generally, yes just washing your car will do a lot. But much of the dirt and grime that gets on your plastic sills and wheel trim is not water soluable so the solvents in the cleaners we mentioned above will do the trick much better. It's amazing what they get off even after you wash the car with a shampoo.

 

Einszett Cockpit Premium....great stuff...not greasy, and it works