Should Leather Car Seats Be Covered? (3 things to look for!)

We think that leather car seats are one of the most beautiful things on the planet. The smell, the feel, and the comfort appeal to many people, especially people who love cars.

 If you’re like me you probably have thought about putting a seat cover over your leather seats.  I have used leather car seats and here are the reasons I believe you should as well. 

Seat covers are a worthwhile investment to make and should absolutely be purchased. These covers offer a lot of protection and stop the leather from degrading or becoming damaged. They also keep the leather from becoming too hot and sticky in the summer months, perfect for those summer road trips. If you want to keep your leather looking its best, you should buy a cover.

So, let us take a closer look, keep on reading to find out what is best for your car seat. 

Reasons to Use Seat Covers

The Price of Leather Seats

Probably one of the top reasons to use seat covers is the general price of leather seats. Genuine leather seats may cost you anywhere between $500 and $700, much higher than the fabric seats.

You may encounter a problem if you damage your leather seats, so you may want to cover these expensive luxury items. However, the repair cost needed to fix damaged leather may be a big blow to your wallet.

If you want to save money in the long run, it may be wise to invest in a good quality car seat cover before any issues arise.

To Protect them From Stains

Stains can be horrible for leather seats. Depending on the color of your leather, these stains from food, mud, drinks can cause horrible and permanent stains that can be difficult to remove.

Leather is easily stained, so you should actively be looking to protect and avoid stains as much as you possibly can. If you already have stained it, then you may be tempted to try a DIY cleaning job on it.

Most cleaners could actually do more damage to your leather than good, depending on the different types of leather or the different textures. So, a seat cover may save you time and money in the long run.

To Stop Rips and Tears

With all fabric, leather is prone to ripping and tearing. So whether you are taking your dog home from the vet or placing something down upon the seats, the material can be easily damaged.

As we have mentioned before, the repair cost of leather is high and not always easy to mend. So you would either have to take the car back to the garage to repair it or find a professional to restore the leather.

Just remember that leather is expensive to begin with. Now imagine replacing an entire seat. Your wallet will not thank you. 

If you think you would rip the fabric somehow, it is good to consider getting a seat cover.  Even if it is just for occasions that you know could be high risk, it is worth having.

To Reduced Wear and Rubbing

Similarly to ripping, constant wear and rubbing are not good for leather car seats. Repeated rubbing has been found to strip the leather of its color, which is not good if you want beautiful leather seats.

By having a cover on your leather seats, you will be able to extend the fabric’s lifespan considerably. 

In addition, you will be able to protect the two hotspots for damage, the driver’s seat and if you have an infant car seat.

There is no way around wear and tear as it happens naturally as the leather is used and ages. Mainly if children’s seats are being used constantly. 

What to Look for In Seat Covers

There are many types of covers available today. You may be trying to find your perfect cover, but you are lost in options that don’t feel like the type of cover you want. So, to help you, here are some things to keep in mind.

The Quality of the Cover

This aspect should be at the top of your list, no doubt about that. When you purchase high-quality seat covers, you ensure that your seats remain comfortable for a long time.

The majority of experts all agree that Neoprene seat covers are what you should be looking for. They are going to be some of the best seat covers you would be able to buy.

But, some of the most advantageous features are: Comfort, Water-resistant, and made with good stitching around the edge. A significant mark of the quality of a seat cover can be found in the stitching. If you think the stitches look loose or poorly executed, it is good to see that the seat isn’t of good quality. 

The Fit on the Seat

The fit is another thing that it is crucial to get right. By ensuring the best fit, you ensure that the seat isn’t going to move around underneath you. This movement is likely to affect the comfort of the seat cover and could lead to damages.

Also, getting a tight fit will mean that any dirt or dust within the vehicle is less likely to get underneath the cover and build upon the leather.

Luckily, you can find seat covers for every make of car if you search for it, making finding a seat cover easier.

The Durability

When looking to buy a seat cover, you need to think about how often you will use them. Usually, you will use the covers a considerable amount, so the durability of your chosen seat cover is a priority.

Look for covers with the highest durability rating; another good option for you to consider is waterproof/water-resistant fabric. These covers are super easy to clean and will not react badly with dust or any other dirt.  

By buying durable materials, you are ensuring a lot of protection over the years. There is no need to constantly worry about whether or not your seats will become damaged. 

Any Additional Features 

There are so many car seat covers available on the market, but only a few will be perfect for you and your car. To find the perfect cover from all the great covers is to look at any added features that come with your car seat.

These types of covers will have features such as water-resistant material, odor control, and easy cleaning. These added features will make your life so much easier to care for your cover and your seats.

Just like your leather seats, the covers need to be looked after. This care ensures that your covers offer many years of protection and don’t need to be replaced as often.  

Can I Use Seat Covers With Heated Seats?

Many people are concerned about is whether or not you can use your seat covers on your heated seats?

Seat covers do not affect the safety or effectiveness of heated seats. Therefore, if you do want to use them, there are no safety concerns that you need to worry about.

You may find that the extra layer between you and the seat may reduce the warmth. One way around this and to ensure the maximum amount of heat is transferred is to keep the cover on in the summer months and remove them during the winter.

In Conclusion

Leather seats are a luxury, and there are many ways to care for them and keeping them looking their best.

Whether or not you should cover your car seats comes down to how you live your life and who is using your seats.

If you know you are going to damage the seats, then cover them up. If you know, you will love and look after them properly, enjoy the feel, smell, and comfort.

 

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