Polish a Leather Steering Wheel

Polish a Leather Steering Wheel

Polish a Leather Steering Wheel : Multi-thousand tips to make your life easier.

Sometimes it can be easy to overlook the importance of a clean, well-maintained car. Many people choose to use car detailing and cleaning services to have their floor mats, seat covers, and windows properly washed. However, keeping your ride free of dust and garbage is only half of what you need to do. Most vehicles nowadays have leather (real or faux) covering the steering wheel, and this too must be kept clean. It is easy to forget that the steering wheel can eventually show signs of wear and tear if it is not properly cared for. Here are some good ideas for how to polish your leather steering wheel not only to keep it nice to look at but also to make it last longer.

• The professional way. One way to polish your steering wheel is to trust the restorative cleaning powers of commercially available leather care products. There are two types typically available: leather wipes and lotions.

  Use leather wipes the way you would normally use a rag. Hold the wipe firmly in one hand, and with a gentle but deliberate motion, wipe down the surface of the steering wheel. If you can, try to wipe in a single direction (clockwise, for example) to minimize the risk of streaking or marking the leather. A good habit is to use leather wipes once a week. When done properly, the wipe gently removes oils and similar contaminants from the leather that may have been left on the wheel by your hands. Allow the wheel some time to air dry.

  When using a leather lotion, be sure to clean the steering wheel first to remove excess dirt. Gently wipe the wheel down with a clean rag. Afterwards, apply a small amount of leather lotion to the center of the application pad or to the center of a clean rag. The amount need not be too generous. With a firm but controlled motion, rub the lotion onto the steering wheel. There should be little need to apply it again unless you used too small a dollop (around the size of a quarter should be more than enough). Continue rubbing the lotion onto the wheel until there is no longer any visible amount. Then wipe any excess from the wheel with another clean rag or microfiber cloth. Leather lotions need only be used once a month.

• The home-style way. Dilute a small bit of mild soap in a cup of water. Dip the center of a clean rag into the liquid and wipe down the steering wheel to clean it. Allow the steering wheel to air dry. Once dry, use a microfiber cloth to buff the steering wheel to a nice sheen. If you want to, you can use a very small amount of shoe polish to help enrich the color of the steering wheel. Just be careful not to use a polish that is too dark for the leather. While this method may require stronger and longer buffing, it should give your steering wheel a shimmer that you can be proud of.