Leather cleaning

[westaussielx470]

Hi
Not sure if you already know this but years ago I got inside tip from my auto trimmer mate that does show cars regarding cleaning. I was saying to him my M5 seats just didnt look good even though I tried several cleaners and he told me about using pure soap flakes (in the laundry aisle) a small handful dissolved in a few litres of warm water and use a soft bristle brush then wipe with clean water. I have used this tip many times with amazing results. This made my LX seats look like new.

 

[uHu]

Soap flakes? Like flakes of natural (hand) soap? Not detergent.

To get the procedure right:
1 - I dissolve pure soap flakes in warm water, not very strong/concentrated.
2 - I use a soft brush dipped in the soap water to scrub the leather clean.
3 - Then wipe the leather with a soft cloth, moist with clean water, trying to remove all the soap, rinse and repeat.
Does this sound right?

 

[excessive]

i use Lexol, it has 2 diff bottles in the kit. one is a cleaner and one is a conditioner. i think they work really well, and smells nice too.

Amazon.com

 

[westaussielx470]

Soap flakes? Like flakes of natural (hand) soap? Not detergent.

To get the procedure right:
1 - I dissolve pure soap flakes in warm water, not very strong/concentrated.
2 - I use a soft brush dipped in the soap water to scrub the leather clean.
3 - Then wipe the leather with a soft cloth, moist with clean water, trying to remove all the soap, rinse and repeat.
Does this sound right?

In Australia its called Lux, Softly or just pure soap flakes and typically used for delicate items such as wool. And as you described it is correct and the flakes dissolve better in warm water. I have tried the commercial kits for lounge furniture, car upholstery available from auto parts stores but now only use that method and finish with Auto Glym leather care cream. Unfortunately I deleted pic of my lounge that I had bought used and did one half and it was like night and day

 

[juicemode]

I just used Koch-chemie Pol star in their little foamer bottle with an interior detailing brush from detailed image. New to me 2003 lx470. Worked really well in my opinion.

 

[westaussielx470]

I just used Koch-chemie Pol star in their little foamer bottle with an interior detailing brush from detailed image. New to me 2003 lx470. Worked really well in my opinion.

soap flakes cost probably less than a buck and a box would last for years I suspect. But hey its what I discovered works after an inside tip from a show car guy and I not really a fan of the harsher chemicals

 

[MechE30]

soap flakes cost probably less than a buck and a box would last for years I suspect. But hey its what I discovered works after an inside tip from a show car guy and I not really a fan of the harsher chemicals

For sure go ahead and stick your hands in that nice “natural” component of your soap flakes aka Castile soap aka sodium hydroxide aka lye. Nothing harsh there…Just keep in mind Mother Nature is a mean mother f’er.

 

[westaussielx470]

For sure go ahead and stick your hands in that nice “natural” component of your soap flakes aka Castile soap aka sodium hydroxide aka lye. Nothing harsh there…Just keep in mind Mother Nature is a mean mother f’er.

Yeah right perhaps you could look at the ingredients and MSDS? But thanks for your feedback as apparently I must have no idea what Castille Soap or Lye is.

 

[oakback]

I've used Lexol for years, works well for me. I've used it for leather furniture as well. It's typically sold as a pair, a bottle of cleaner and a bottle of conditioner.