Leather does not tolerate much water, so the first step is to work out whether the seat is leather, faux leather or suede. One seat costs from €12, and the minimum order is €45. Send a photo, and the specialist will tell you the price and what to expect.
Is the seat leather, faux leather or suede
| Material | What to know |
|---|---|
| Finished leather | Cared for with a soft cloth and a little mild soapy water; the suds are wiped off and the surface is buffed. Creams, saddle soap and oil do not suit finished leather. |
| Faux leather | This is a coating on fabric, and over time it may peel. Cleaning does not repair it. |
| Suede | This is the underside of the leather. Stains are better left to a specialist than rubbed, and if it gets wet, dry it in the air away from heat. |
If you do not know the material, take a close-up photo of the seat's seam. If the owner's manual for the car has instructions on caring for the interior, follow them.
Why leather needs little water and nothing hot
Leather is very absorbent and stains soak into it, so methods that suit fabric can damage leather. Most leather suffers from direct contact with water, and saddle soap does not suit leather because it is alkaline. Heat dries it out, makes it brittle and distorts it. So seats must not be dried with a hairdryer or hot air, and in summer it is better to park the car in the shade.
After the work, air the car interior if the weather allows. The Canadian Conservation Institute notes that relative humidity above 65% encourages mould on leather, so it is better not to leave a damp car closed up.
More on the limits of leather care, which also apply to seats: can a leather sofa be cleaned. If leather furniture at home needs cleaning too, see the page on leather furniture cleaning.
What to do with a fresh stain on leather
Gently blot the liquid with a soft, clean cloth, without rubbing. Do not use solvents, chlorine bleach or hot water. Ink is an especially hard case: nobody can promise it will come off leather, so do not rub it: send a photo instead. Coffee or juice spilt in the car is best blotted straight away, before the stain soaks into the seam.
What to put in the form
- the car's make, model and year;
- how many seats need cleaning;
- leather, faux leather or suede, if you know;
- whether the seat is perforated, heated or ventilated;
- where the car will be parked during the work in Riga or the Riga region.
What usually comes out and what may stay
Usually comes out
- surface dirt and dust in the seams
- fresher drink stains
- a layer of everyday dirt on the seat surface
May stay
- ink on leather
- worn colour and cracks
- peeling faux leather coating
- a stain that has soaked into the leather
- a smell from the upholstery
A worn seat edge by the door is wear, not dirt. Leather repair and recolouring are a different job, and we do not do them. From a photo, the specialist will tell you whether the stain is on the surface or already in the leather and whether cleaning makes sense.
How much leather car seat cleaning costs
A car seat costs from €12 (1 seat). There is no separate price for a leather seat, and the same goes for faux leather. The minimum order is €45: if the total is lower, you pay €45, so it is worth requesting several seats. Smell treatment is extra, from €15.
Travel is included in Riga and up to about 15 km outside Riga; further out it is from €10. The price depends on size, material, how dirty it is, smell and distance, and we agree it before the work. All prices.
Sources
- Finished leather is cared for with mild soap and lukewarm water, the suds are wiped off and it is buffed; creams, saddle soap and oil are not recommended checked 7 November 2026
- Leather is absorbent; suede is the underside, stains are best left to a specialist; imitation coating may deteriorate checked 7 November 2026
- Direct water damages leather checked 7 November 2026
- Heat dries out leather, makes it brittle and distorts it checked 7 November 2026
- Ink on leather: removal is not guaranteed checked 7 November 2026