Are Clorox Wipes Safe for Leather Car Seats? (Clean + Disinfecting)

Have you ever asked yourself or your friend if Clorox wipes are safe for leather car seats? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

If you’ve discovered some sticky or unsightly spill on your leather seats, wait before you reach for those Clorox wipes. There’s something you need to know first.

Clorox wipes are not safe for leather car seats. Leather car seats should not be cleaned with Clorox or other disinfectant wipes because it could do more harm than good. When cleaning leather, only approved leather cleaners should be used.

In this article, we will review how Clorox wipes damage leather and what you should use to clean leather seats instead.

Additionally, we will cover what other cleaning products to avoid using on leather and what other surfaces should not be cleaned with Clorox wipes.

Table of Contents

Can Clorox Wipes Damage Leather Car Seats?

Clorox wipes won’t directly damage leather car seats but over time it will expose them to damage.

The chemicals in Clorox wipes to remove the natural oils of the leather that make it supple and strong. Without these oils, leather becomes brittle and dry and can easily crack or tear.

The alcohol in the wipes is the main culprit because alcohol dries out the surfaces you clean with it. While most nonporous surfaces shouldn’t be a problem, leather can suffer from use and overuse of alcohol wipes.

If you use a Clorox wipe to clean a leather car seat that already has cracks or tears in it, you may find that the damaged parts will get bigger after the alcohol sets in and exacerbates the brittle nature of the compromised leather.

Don’t forget that what goes for leather seats also applies to other leather items such as purses, jackets, and boots.

What Should I Use to Clean Leather Car Seats?

If you need to clean your leather car seats, don’t reach for the Clorox wipes. Instead, mix up some warm soapy water to scrub down your seats.

Alternatively, you could use a water and vinegar combination or mix vinegar with some type of oil such as linseed. Use a cloth to scrub the seats and dry them off with microfiber cloths.

Be careful not to fully soak the leather. Getting leather too wet may weaken it and cause it to tear easily before it has a chance to dry out.

Using water and soap will not only help you clean up any messes but also disinfect your leather seats from any germs that may be lingering.

If you are unsure if the cleaner you have is appropriate to use on leather, check the label or contact the manufacturer.

If you can’t find a satisfactory answer, it may be safe for your leather if you don’t use it.

There are plenty of leather cleaning wipes and soap on the market as well that you can find online, at automotive shops, or shoe stores.

What Other Wipes Should I Avoid Cleaning Leather Seats With?

Clorox wipes and other disinfectant wipes that have isopropyl alcohol as the main ingredient should never be used on leather seats as they will remove the oils and compromise the integrity of the leather.

Although baby wipes are usually readily accessible, these should not be used either because they can also contain alcohol or other desiccants to leather.

There are other cleaning leather solutions that are rumored to work, however, most companies that produce leather products claim it is ill-advised to use some of these home remedies.

Beeswax and olive oil will not help your leather retain its natural oils – go with linseed instead.

Window cleaner, hair spray, and nail polish remover are also not products you should be using to clean your leather.

Although they may not have alcohol, the other harsh chemicals present will take a toll on your leather car seats.

If you’re trying to hide blemishes, don’t cover them up with shoe polish or markers. Get a proper leather repair kit.

What Other Surfaces Should Not Be Cleaned with Clorox Wipes?

Even though Clorox wipes are great to use for cleaning and disinfecting a lot of surfaces in your home, there are other things to avoid using them on besides your leather seating.

If you have untreated wood furniture, granite countertops, or upholstered furniture, avoid using Clorox wipes to clean or disinfect them.

Dishes used by pets or people should never be cleaned with Clorox wipes because accidentally ingestion of isopropyl alcohol could be potentially harmful.

In the same vein, you shouldn’t use Clorox wipes to clean your hands as excessive absorption of alcohol could dry out your skin or make you sick if you are particularly sensitive to the chemicals.

Don’t try to scrub out stains on your clothing or other fabrics with Clorox wipes because it could damage or discolor the fabric.

Stick to using Clorox wipes on nonporous surfaces and use gentler cleaners on the more sensitive surfaces in your home, especially your leather seating.

Conclusion

Clorox wipes should never be used to disinfect or clean leather because the alcohol could damage the surface of the material.

Leather contains natural oils that can be wiped away with Clorox wipes. Additionally, the leather will become easily torn or ripped because it will lose its supple nature.

If you want to clean your leather, use warm soapy water, vinegar and linseed oil mixture, or a specifically engineered leather cleaner.

Clorox wipes can damage other surfaces too, so be sure to avoid using them on fragile or porous items. Clorox wipes can be handy, just not for cleaning leather!

References

https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/10-times-you-should-never-use-a-clorox-wipe-52912

https://www.charmcitycirculator.com/clean-leather-car-seats/