Cleaning leather seats

[Organisys]

No need for conditioner on modern leather peeps!
I use mild APC and microfibres or DR Leather wipes.

Really? You seen the quality of the leather on the MK6?

Modern leather has a clear coat over the top.
Adding a conditioner will just cover this is in a waxy greasy film which will attract dirt and give a nasty sheen, instead of the OEM Matt finish.

[Golf_GT_TDI]

Correct 
There was a time when I thought leather seats had to be fed with leather conditioner and used glyptone on cars I've had previously then found out about modern leathers and the fact that they only need cleaning, so I stand by my recommedation of Dr Leather cleaner and wipes, you can also then use a protectant like L1 Leather Guard from Gtechniq (which is great to use on high wear areas ie bolsters) but you shouldn't use conditioners or anything that adds oils/silicones. If you try to add a conditioner like glyptone you'll notice it doesn't soak into the leather and leaves it feeling greasy and has a shiny finish this just attracts dirt which increases wear to the leather. Classic cars with traditional type leathers that dry out, harden and crack are what you would use a oil based conditioner on. Modern leather when clean should be matt finish with very slight sheen not shiny, example pic of my Recaro's...



You can read more info on modern leather manufacture here: http://www.drleather.com/Leather-Cleaners/Today-s-Leather-Manufacture-%281%29.aspx

You can buy Dr Leather from a few places but this I think is the main distributor: https://www.envyvaleting.com/products.asp?cat=30

And here is a link to Gtechniq's G1 Leather Guard: http://gtechniq.com/shop/3s-for-cars/interior-coatings/l1-leather-guard/

[Raffe]

Really interesting reading chaps, was of the misconception that the leather in m car needed conditioning to retain its condition.

Will order up some wipes, thx fr info.

[Booth11]

So sales of baby wipes will be on the up now.

I discovered the cleansing/moisturising benefits of baby wipes on leather seats whilst constantly cleaning off all the  cr*p left by my beloved child!   

[RickS]

Correct 
There was a time when I thought leather seats had to be fed with leather conditioner and used glyptone on cars I've had previously then found out about modern leathers and the fact that they only need cleaning, so I stand by my recommedation of Dr Leather cleaner and wipes, you can also then use a protectant like L1 Leather Guard from Gtechniq (which is great to use on high wear areas ie bolsters) but you shouldn't use conditioners or anything that adds oils/silicones. If you try to add a conditioner like glyptone you'll notice it doesn't soak into the leather and leaves it feeling greasy and has a shiny finish this just attracts dirt which increases wear to the leather. Classic cars with traditional type leathers that dry out, harden and crack are what you would use a oil based conditioner on. Modern leather when clean should be matt finish with very slight sheen not shiny, example pic of my Recaro's...

The stuff I use [Zymol] doesn't contain any silicones or materials that make the seats greasy or shiny, they retain their original apprearance. Although you don't have to condition new leather seats it is recommended to do them at least once a year to prevent them drying out - but use the correct product.

[Raffe]

Cleaned the seats with Sainsburys basics range baby wipes yesterday and the leather looks and feels great.

Thanks for the tip chaps