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Mercedes-Benz C-Class: How to Clean Leather Interior

The leather interior of your Mercedes-Benz C-Class may look impeccable now, but it can quickly fade and become dirty over time if it's not properly cared for. Even a little bit of routine maintenance goes a long way. Learn how to clean leather interior here.

By Kate Halse - May 8, 2015
Contributors: Azn_C300

This article applies to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2007-2014).

Dirt is the primary culprit when it comes to wear and tear of leather surfaces. However, leather seats also lose UV protectants and essential oils over time. If these problem are ignored, then the leather interior will display a dull finish and even cracks will begin to develop. If well cared for, leather upholstery has its perks. It is generally easier to clean than seats covered in fabric and can make the interior of your car always look like new. As it can be more difficult and expensive to repair seats when cracks or splits appear, routine cleaning and periodic leather treatments go a long way in preserving the leather interior of your Mercedes-Benz C-Class . Follow the steps below to get started.

Materials Needed

  • Vacuum
  • Microfiber towels
  • Leather cleaner (or saddle soap, mild leather soap)
  • High-quality leather conditioner

Many C-Class owners rely on warm soap and water for a basic cleaning, followed by leather-specific cleaning and conditioning products. These are the general steps to take when cleaning your leather seats.

Step 1 – Vacuum the seats

The first step to cleaning your leather upholstery is to remove any accumulated dirt and grime. Even if dirt isn't visible, there's usually a fair amount on the car's seat surfaces. For best results, use a vacuum with a hose attachment. Be very careful not to scratch or scrape the seats as you vacuum them.

Figure 1. Vacuum interior and leather seats.

Step 2 – Remove all surface dirt

Surface dirt of leather seats can hang around even after you've vacuumed. To completely get rid of anything left clinging onto the leather seats, you'll want to wipe them down thoroughly. Start by spraying a microfiber towel with a cleaner of choice. Then, wipe it over the seats until all visible dirt has been removed.

Figure 2. Wipe down the leather seat surfaces.

Pro Tip

Some newer C-Class models come with MB-Tex seat material, which is made of vinyl rather than leather. If your car has this type of material, simply wipe it down with warm soap and water. You may finish with a vinyl surface cleaner. It's important to avoid using leather cleaning products on vinyl as they could damage the surface.

Step 3 – Apply a leather conditioner

You don't need to apply a leather conditioner after every cleaning, but you should condition your seats a few times per year. Leather seat conditioners help to replace the natural oils in the leather seats. For this reason, you'll want to go with a higher quality conditioner that doesn't contain waxes, silicone, or petroleum distillates. Simply apply the leather conditioner of your choice to a clean microfiber cloth and wipe the leather seats thoroughly. Let the conditioner set for at least 30 minutes.

Figure 3. Periodically use a leather conditioner.

Pro Tip

It's a good idea to test a small area of the seat before using a leather conditioner for the first time. To do this, take a clean, dry microfiber cloth and spray a small amount of product onto the cloth. Wipe the product into a section of the seat to make sure it doesn't discolor or damage the seats.

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