Porsche seats sometimes use synthetic leather or Alcantara on certain surfaces, but most are upholstered in leather.

In Porsche models with the leather package, even the dashboard is leather-wrapped, so if you want to maintain the condition of the leather properly, regular maintenance is recommended.

This time, I’d like to share my personal method for caring for Porsche leather seats.

Porsche Genuine Leather Cleaner and Conditioner

Previously, my wife used an aftermarket genuine leather cleaner to keep the Panamera seats clean, but what I mainly use are Porsche’s genuine leather cleaner and conditioner.

There is now a slightly more expensive white bottle successor available, but I still prefer the older black bottle version. There are two products: cleaner and conditioner, and I use both.

How to Use the Cleaner and Conditioner

Start by removing dirt with the cleaner. On black seats, it’s hard to see how much dirt is removed, but on beige or lighter seats, the difference is quite noticeable.

The method is to apply an appropriate amount of cleaner to a microfiber cloth and thoroughly wipe the seats. Pay special attention to areas prone to dirt, such as the seat cushions.

After wiping, dampen a new cloth with water, wring it out tightly, and wipe again.

Once the leather is dry, move on to the conditioner. Shake well, soak a cloth or sponge with it, and wipe the leather. Finally, use a fresh cloth to dry-wipe and finish.

By the way, I recommend doing this process section by section for each seat.

Points I Personally Pay Attention To

The above covers the basic procedure, but here are some personal tips I follow.

Why I Use Genuine Porsche Cleaner and Conditioner

While shoe or bag products and mink oil can add shine, they often contain too much oil, attracting dust and making the surface slippery. Also, their high nutrient content can cause mold in the hot and humid environment inside a car, so I avoid using them.

The genuine Porsche cleaner and conditioner provide a moderate shine without overpowering the natural Porsche leather scent, making them just right.

Where to Focus Applying Conditioner

Cars exposed to strong sunlight often lose moisture from the leather, causing it to harden, shrink, and eventually crack. The areas that bear the most stress during this hardening and shrinking are the leather seams (stitching).

Therefore, I apply conditioner generously along the seams to keep the leather as supple as possible. Also, the outer side bolsters of the driver’s seat tend to get rubbed and wrinkle easily when getting in and out, so I focus on conditioning those areas as well.

Dry Wiping Is Key

The final dry wipe after applying conditioner greatly affects the finish. How carefully you do this step will dramatically change the leather’s shine. I use a microfiber cloth and wipe very thoroughly, making this the most important step for me.

Before cleaning the Boxster seats

After cleaning. Can you see the natural shine restored? It’s even clearer in person.

Maintenance Frequency

I perform the full process about once a year during a major cleaning, not every time I wash the car.

However, every few washes, I wipe the leather surfaces with a tightly wrung damp towel to provide moderate moisture. This helps prevent the leather from hardening and keeps it supple.

My Boxster, now six years old with 50,000 km on the clock, still maintains relatively good leather condition despite frequent open-top driving, so I believe this routine is effective.

That sums up my method and key points for maintaining Porsche leather seats. There are many other ways, but I hope this serves as a helpful example.