How Do My Leather Seats Keep Getting Dirty?

Have you entered your car and noticed that your leather brown seats have a black undertone to them, or maybe the consistency is different across the seat? This means that there is likely a buildup of residue on your seat which can cause your leather seats to look nothing like they did when you first bought the car.

Let’s go through a few common causes and ways you can prevent this from happening in the future!

Your Skin And How It Contributes To Dirty Leather Seats

Most of the residue on your leather seats is actually from your skin. Many people use ointments, lotions, and products on their skin that don’t fully absorb, so when they get into the car the product transfers to the leather seats.

Another common cause is when you come back from the gym super sweaty and your skin grazes against the leather seats.

When these only happen a couple of times it isn’t too much of a concern, but as this goes on for a longer period of time, it can lead to a large buildup which can damage your seats.

Eating Food Inside Of The Car

It is super difficult to eat in your car on a consistent basis, without spilling or dropping your food and drinks. This is especially true if you eat while driving, where bumps and turns are a factor. A few drops or crumbs here and there may seem like no big deal, but over the course of a few months or years, those add up to a large portion of food being lodged in your seats.

This is especially an issue if your leather seats have a mesh pattern (tiny little holes for cushioning and breathability) because softer foods and liquid seep down into them. This makes for a difficult cleaning process that even professionals tend to struggle with.

Dirty Leather Seats – The Verdict

Now that you know why your seats keep getting dirty, getting them cleaned is the first step to properly caring for them. 

We recommend reading a blog on how to clean your leather seats, asking a professional detailer, or simply hiring a car detailing professional to assist you in cleaning and protecting them!

author avatar
Darren Burgard

Neon 8Neon 8
18:55 05 Apr 24
We are extremely well satisfied with the work done by Darren on our two cars; an eleven year old Audi and an eleven year old Lexus. The cars look almost new. Darren showed up on time, did the work efficiently and thoroughly, and the price was very competitive. We will definitely use his service again.
Hugo ContrerasHugo Contreras
23:07 30 Mar 24
I enjoyed collaborating with Sumptuous detailing services! Definitely recommend to anyone looking for great detailing services!
Gareth EvansGareth Evans
16:01 21 Mar 24
Darren did a great job on my pickup truck I use for construction. I was surprised how clean he got it inside.
TJ EdwardsTJ Edwards
00:58 13 Mar 24
Tyrone came out today and detailed my dad’s Tesla model X for us. Let me tell you - that man is so incredibly positive. You just feel good talking to him. He spent a large amount of time detailing his car and it looks better than it did the day he bought it! We could not be more thrilled and will continue to use Tyrone every month to detail and keep it looking great! The pricing is extremely competitive and even on the lower end compared to other mobile retailers! We are extremely pleased all the way around!
Anne HucksAnne Hucks
00:30 13 Mar 24
It was a wonderful experience. My car has not been this clean since I bought it.
millenyn soaresmillenyn soares
01:46 10 Mar 24
If I could put 10000+ Stars I would. Words can't explain how satisfied, I am. Tyrone did a phenomenal job, he took his time and you can tell he loves what he does. My car looks brand new, the seats are so clean and when I opened my car the smell of brand new car hit me. If you are looking for someone to detail your car STOP LOOKING, Because you found them and the customer service is excellent! I highly strongly recommend them you will not be disappointed!
Gregory TrenaryGregory Trenary
02:21 09 Feb 24
02/08/24 We are not local to this area, visiting with our son. Three large cups of coffee were accidentally split in our vehicle this morning... What a mess! Found some one online who didn't do interior detailing, however recommended Darren. He made arrangements to clean our truck that day. His men were here at scheduled time, did a fantastic job! Highly recommend Sumptuous Mobile Detailing!
Pam McCloudPam McCloud
12:24 06 Oct 23
Amazing and meticulous! Darren did such a great job with my vehicle that his services were requested the very next day by my hubby. My vehicle is so clean that I’m afraid to get in and undo all of his hard work. Most importantly, he took his time and didn’t rush the job.
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Fundamental Detailing Package
  • Exterior wash
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  • 6-12 month Wax: Upgrade for longer-lasting protection is available for Fundamentals and Decontamination packages.
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