Clk Very Dirty Leather

[Marcel-Anthony]

Just after some advice, The interior on my car is very dirty, did not look to bad when I bought it last month but the more I am in the car the more I have really noticed it. I also think that the previous owner has used some form of cleaner that has damaged some of the top coat of the leather as a found some peeling of the clear coat.

Been trying a few ways of cleaning it over the last few days, and after reading many conflicting posts on whats best. I just want to get some for your thoughts on if I am doing more damage than good.

So far I have tried the following.

Autoglym Leather Cleaner - Did not shift hardly any dirt
Baby Wipes - again no good.

Today I tried warm water a spoon full of washing powder with a squirt of washing up liquid. First sponged in the foam, then gave it a good rubbing with a nail brush and then towelled off. I did not apply too much pressure but it seemed to work very well.

Not only on the seats but on the ingrained dirt on the dash and door cards. I have only done small test patches as I want to be sure I am not doing any real long term damage.

I have tried to attach a photo to show the clean v dirty areas.

I want to do the rest of the car tomorrow as I have a day off. Will this method be ok.

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Thanks
Marcel-Anthony

 

[nyx]

when i was a car valeter i sometimes used cheap hair conditioner with 50/50 water and conditioner and a medium hard brush but with fine bristles like an old fashioned cut down shaving brush so with shorter bristles to make it firmer. lots of elbow grease but use in circular motion and comes up very clean and use clean fresh microfibre clothes to wipe away residue and dirt.

 

[Frontstep]

Decosol works well and doesn't dry it out.

 

[Marcel-Anthony]

Do you think the washing powder and washing up liquid will do it any harm.

 

[television]

If I am forced to use such things then use the washing liquid type, it does not need a strong mix and it will shift all the dirt and do no harm, leather does not like getting too wet, and just a light scrubbing with the liquid type will work very well.

 

[Xtractorfan]

Ive always used the 1001 and other brand carpet cleaners on leather and dried it off immediately then use a quality leather conditioner..

 

[television]

Ive always used the 1001 and other brand carpet cleaners on leather and dried it off immediately then use a quality leather conditioner..

Yes another good product

 

[L John]

Do you think the washing powder and washing up liquid will do it any harm.

Washing power can do damage over several uses if it's biological, as biological detergents contain enzymes, designed to attack dirt but can harm biological materials like wool, silk, skin, or in your case leather.

Non bio would be a better choice and be sure to condition the leather after use then again a week or two later.

I've done courses on biological detergents, enzymes are great but I definitely wouldn't use on leather unless it was the only way and the damage assessment was acceptable.

 

[eman]

leather does not like getting too wet,

Malcolm, none of the cows by us have umbrellas. :roll:

 

[Philedge]

Have a look at www.liquidleather.com as theres a fair bit of info on leather care

 

[JBell]

I used Fairy Liquid diluted and apply with a soft nail brush, gently scrub, dry off and apply "Liquid Leather"

 

[gizze]

I use this when it is really grubby.....

http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=253259214

I mix is 4:1 so quite strong, and then use a Meguiars interior brush to work it into the leather and get the years of grease and grime out.

My leather on the W211 was all hard and shiny when I got it and after a bash with this it came out looking soft and matte again.

 

[gizze]

This was the leather some 40,000 miles later at 110k miles....

Close up of the bolster to show even that looks pretty good....

If it is really dirty I also use Engine Cleaner mixed around 10:1, a proper degreaser!!!