Leather seats have always been a thing even beyond the obvious choice in the automotive industry. The material is known for its breathability and moisture-wicking capability. Most cars, from retro to modern, use leather as a standard as it brings a sense of comfort and finesse to the interior. Not to mention the luxurious appeal.
But its widespread use also makes it susceptible to moisture damage, especially sweat. And, you might be curious to know: how to stop sweating on leather car seats? The easy way to save your leather car seats from sweat is to regularly wipe and use a seat cover.
However, there are other effective methods as well. In this article, we will explore the causes, effects, and possible remedies for sweating in leather car seats.
What Causes Sweating on Leather Car Seats?
There’s a widespread misconception that leather is the specific reason why people sweat in car seats. But that couldn’t be far off from reality. The leather itself is a highly breathable material. Combining that with incredible durability makes it the most comfortable and long-lasting solution for any car interior.
The sweating itself can be attributed to personal use and climate. Excessive sweating occurs in hot and humid climate zones. Not just climate, dress, and medical conditions are also underlying reasons to sweat in leather seats.
While it might not seem like a big deal, excessive and repeated sweating will cause the leather to fade, discolor and in extreme cases, peel off.
How To Stop Sweating On Leather Car Seats?
As you’ll see in this detailed step-by-step guide, protecting leather seats doesn’t have much to do with the seats themselves. Most of the points will center around personal measures with a few external protective measures. Let’s dig in.
Using a Seat Cover
The best protective measure against sweat in your car seat is using a seat cover. What’s better than cleaning after sweat than not letting the sweat get on the leather in the first place? Seat covers are fairly common and can be customized in different ways.
Most seat covers are matched with the color of the leather to preserve the intended look. Faux leather or a cheaper PU option is the go-to choice in this regard. It costs a fraction of the original leather finish and can be replaced easily when damaged.
Staying cool
We’ve already mentioned that sweating is caused by a horrid humid climate. So the only way to wick it off is to stay cool. And the process of staying cool starts with drinking water, a lot of water.
Science shows that avoiding oily foods and staying hydrated is the key to staying cool in humid conditions. Another aspect can be using the air condition of the car. Though that won’t work in an open-roof car or also runs up the gasoline usage.
Antiperspirants
If water and diet aren’t cutting it, you can use antiperspirants. Though it’s a chemical solution, they are proven to not have any kind of side effects. Antiperspirants can drastically reduce sweating keeping the car seat fresh.
Wearing Double Layer Clothes
Wearing a vest under the cloth may also help with sweat. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you will sweat less. Contrarily, you might sweat more given the extra layer of clothing. But it will at least keep the sweat off your leather seats.
Using Powder
Powders, mainly baby powders can be an effective solution against the sweat on your leather seats. It’s very effective in absorbing any kind of moisture. You don’t have to put the powder on yourself though. All you have to do is sprinkle some baby powder on your seat and wipe it off.
Wiping
The good old wiping is still one of the best solutions to keep sweat off the seats. Leather doesn’t absorb moisture right away. So regularly wiping off the seat with a dry cloth may save the material from absorbing too much.
That said, it’s often difficult to wipe daily, but it’s still the cheapest and most effective option.
Conditioners
Leather has its own dedicated conditioners as well. These chemical compositions help to keep the leather retaining its shine and softness. One of the biggest drawbacks of sweat is that it makes it brittle and faded.
Conditioners are the best choice to halt the aging process induced by sweat.
Read Also: How To Remove Sticky Residue From Leather Car Seat?
What Happens When Sweat Gets On Leather?
Needless to say, sweat on leather seats is bad news. This is mainly because of the composition of the leather itself. Leather is treated dry skin that is uniquely porous and breathable. So when sweat starts wicking in leather, several chain reactions start.
Reduced Breathability
We’ve already mentioned that leather materials on seats are comfortable because they are highly breathable. The porous texture makes it comfortable to sit for long hours.
But when moisture from sweat builds up, the pores become clogged making the material dense. It reduces comfort all the while damaging the material itself.
Discoloration
One of the more destructive components of sweat is salt. Salt has a distinct corrosive property and can degrade any material. And in the case of leather, it discolors the material over time.
Leather is an organic material. Over time, the salt build-up causes the leather to turn dark in a certain area.
Fading
Salt isn’t the only reactive component of sweat. Our body releases oil mixed with sweat as well. This oil builds up in the pores of the leather and changes the chemical composition of the material. As a result, leather not only fades over time but also becomes brittle and chips off.
Is It Normal To Sweat On A Leather Car Seat?
A short answer is yes, it is normal to sweat on leather seats. But in terms of whether that’s a good or bad thing, it certainly leans on the negative side. However, there are a few ways to identify whether it will become a problem in the long run or not.
Frequency of Sweating
Try to understand whether it’s a regular thing or just a one-off incident. Sweating a few times won’t really harm in the long run but when it becomes frequent, that’s where the trouble begins. The issues mentioned above start kicking in, and it prompts the next point.
Checking for Medical Condition
Some people may have a medical condition where they sweat profusely regardless of the climate condition. In that case, it not only poses a risk for leather but also for personal health. Make sure to get an appointment with the doctor and check whether it’s an underlying condition or not.
Taking Preventive Measures
If sweating is inevitable, should you stop using the car? Definitely not. Rather you can take a few preventive measures.
- Applying seat cover right away
- Parking the car in shades to keep it cool
- Using climate control while riding the car
- Using dehumidifier
Conclusion
To wrap things up, sweating is a normal organic process of life. Some people sweat more while some sweat less and that ends up harming the leather seats regardless.
However, as things stand, a few simple steps are all that it takes to ensure the precious leather seats hold their longevity. While some of the steps may take away the pleasure of using leather itself, it will still ensure that the material holds up its quality over time.
But beyond that, some personal measures should also be taken to reduce sweating. Combine that with a few upkeep steps and your car leather seats will keep shining like new for years.
