There really isn’t one right answer when it comes to how often you should clean BMW leather car seats. It can vary depending on several factors. Exposure to the sun, kids, and pets, and whether or not the previous owner took proper care are all variables that play into your preferred level of leather care.
However, a solid general rule is every 2-3 months or so. Some BMW fanatics obsess over keeping their interior and exterior flawless – taking meticulous care in selecting their cleaning solution and leather conditioner. As long as you are consistent with it you should have no issues.
When it comes to the best car leather cleaner for BMW, there is no universal solution. BMW carries many different types of leather that require different levels of attention and products. Most of the lower to middle-tier BMW models can get by with cleaners, while their premium leather entails more intense protection like conditioners.
After we cover the best leather cleaners for BMW car seats, we’ll take you through the very simple procedure of applying them – a method we consider the best way to clean BMW leather seats.
Best cleaner for BMW leather seats
SensaTec and Leatherette
Most people with entry-level BMWs will have either SensaTec or Leatherette car seats. These two brands of leather have a built-in topcoat that prevents them from drying or cracking. They are quite durable and the only thing you have to worry about is UV light damage.
Car Guys Super Cleaner or 303 Multisurface Cleaner is perfect for these seats as they’re both wonderful all-around BMW leather seat cleaners that don’t leave any residue. Cleaning BMW leather is light on your wallet at the lower level options.
[amazon table=”35198″]
Dakota, Nevada, and Vernasca
The Dakota, Nevada, and Vernasca lines of leather seats are BMW’s next step up in terms of quality. However, like the section above, the protective coating used on this leather is enough to warrant another mild cleaner as sufficient enough to get the job done.
We highly recommend Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner. Just like the two mentioned above, it’s a top-rated cleaner on Amazon and is used regularly by the BMW Repair Guide. Chemical Guys products work tremendously as a BMW black leather restorer. If you want to get serious about cleaning your BMW leather, the Chemical Guys product line is a good place to start.
[amazon table=”35199″]
Merino and Nappa
These two types of leather are the premium options when it comes to BMW and is mostly found in the higher-end models (M series). Diligence is the best cure for these beautiful-looking car seats. Most people who own a BMW with Merino or Nappa are usually highly invested in their vehicles.
You’re going to want to clean and condition these ones. Remaining vigilant of the state of your leather and staying consistent with treating it is vital. Both the Leather Honey Cleaner and Leather Honey Conditioner are fantastic options. You also can’t go wrong with the Chemical Guys Conditioner equivalent.
[amazon table=”35200″]
How to clean BMW leather seats
BMW leather cleaning procedure
Before treating the leather with cleaners, vacuum the seats to remove any loose crumbs and trash. Make sure to get in the corners and crevices so you have a smooth surface to work with.
Next, take a non-scratch microfiber cloth and apply a small amount of cleaner. If you need some advice on choosing the correct cleaner for your BMW leather please read the “Best Leather Cleaner BMW” section above. For most BMW owners we recommend Leather Honey Cleaner or Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner. These will work on all types of BMW leather. Just because you don’t need to use conditioner on your particular brand of leather doesn’t mean it will harm it. Some people swear by conditioning lower quality BMW leather brands and you are free to do what you think is best.
**Lightly scrub a small area of the seat to test that the cleaner you’ve chosen agrees with the leather before proceeding. If you purchased one of our suggestions don’t worry about this step.
Gently begin to wipe the surface of your seats in a circular motion making sure your get into all of the hard-to-reach crevices. The cleaner will be able to remove stains and marks, so you want to scrub just hard enough so that the seats actually get clean. Once you’ve cleaned the entirety of the leather take another micro-fiber cloth and dry it down.
Once your BMW leather seats are clean, you can proceed to apply your conditioner. The procedure for applying the conditioner is the same except for the drying step. You don’t need to dry the conditioner as it’s best left to seep into and rejuvenate your seats.
Life happens and sometimes you can’t prevent your leather seats from inevitable marks and stains. Some people have pets or small children that tend not to mix well with nice leather seats. Or maybe you just don’t want to spend the extra effort cleaning and conditioning your seats every couple of months. Either way, here are a couple of alternatives that will help preserve your BMW’s interior and preempt any accident waiting to happen.
Alternatives to cleaning your BMW leather
BMW Car Seat Covers
Car seat covers are a great inexpensive solution that offers a wide range of designs, quality, and comfort. Some like this Waterproof Universal Leather Seat Cover do a terrific job at blending into your seat and camouflaging themselves. This gorgeous tan-colored Universal Car Seat Cover offers more style and comfort. We recommend either of these incredible seat covers as wonderful alternatives to cleaning your BMW leather.
[amazon table=”35201″]BMW Sunshades
Sunshades offer protection from heat and UV radiation and are absolutely necessary if you keep your car outside in a warmer climate. Cheaper leather will end up drying and cracking fairly quickly if left baking in the sun. A quality sunshade will be successful at blocking UV rays while also being easily foldable and compact. This particular sunshade on Amazon is a fine quality and reasonable price.
[amazon table=”35202″]
){kind=link}