Outfitting your truck with a new, hi-tech air-ride seat can change your life as a long-haul driver. The comfort and support a new seat give you reduces back pain and fatigue. Our new SteadyRide model is engineered to reduce total body vibration, contributing to overall well-being while making any rough road feel like a smooth ride.
But as soon as you start to use your new seat, you risk subjecting it to wear and stains. While you know taking a break for meals off the road is best, there are times when eating fast food in your truck is necessary to stay on schedule. But that risks grease and crumbs getting on your new seat.
Proper truck seat care and maintenance are crucial for preserving your seats’ comfort, appearance, and functionality over time. Today, we want to help set you up for success on the road so that you can enjoy our SteadyRide seats for a long time. Learn how to clean truck seats today so you can keep your new seat in good condition.
Vacuum
Cleaning truck seats the right way depends on the upholstery material. Leather requires different care than fabric, for instance. But the first step in cleaning truck seats is vacuuming. Whether you use a shop vac or a handheld vacuum, make sure it has a crevice tool attachment, so you can dig into every nook and cranny of your truck seat to get all the crumbs, hair, pebble, dirt, and bits of paper out.
While you’re at it, vacuum the entire interior of your truck. If you leave sand, gravel, dirt, and crumbs on your truck’s floor mats or carpeting, they will eventually work their way into your truck seat.
Cleaning
Your next step will differ depending on whether you have cloth- covered or leather seats. The process of cleaning truck seats is different for cloth and leather seats.
For cloth, make a solution of one cup of distilled white vinegar to a gallon of water , with a drop of dish soap that’s designed to eliminate grease. Dab the solution on stains, and use a soft brush to work on the stain. Then, wipe away the solution with a clean cloth.
You can also use a bit of laundry detergent diluted with water, or a commercial upholstery cleaner that’s suitable for auto or truck interiors. Don’t saturate your seat with cleaner: just dab or put your solution in a spray bottle. Make sure you always use a light touch. If the foam within your seat absorbs too much liquid, it could take a long time to dry, and it could deteriorate or even develop mold in the meantime. When your cloth seat is clean, allow it to dry completely before your next trip. When you’re sure your seat is completely dry, you can add a protective seat cover to shield your seat.
Leather
Leather seats require a different approach. After you’ve thoroughly vacuumed, dampen a microfiber cloth with leather cleaner, and gently apply the cleaner over the entire surface of your seat. If there are stains, rub gently to work them out. With persistence, you should be able to eliminate the stain.
When your leather seat is clean, wipe it dry—don’t allow it to air dry. This could warp or damage the leather, causing it to deform. When you’ve wiped your leather seat dry, apply leather conditioner while using a clean microfiber cloth (not the same cloth as the one you used to clean the seat). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply and buff the conditioner to keep your leather seat supple and protect it from cracking.
Now that you’ve learned how to care for truck seats, you need the discipline to do it. If your leather seat is already torn or cracked, you’ve waited too long. If your cloth seat has stains that have settled in for months, they may be impossible to get out now. Always work on stains as soon as they happen to avoid damaging your seat’s upholstery. Regular care ensures that the seat remains a reliable companion on the road, providing comfort and support mile after mile. Use these truck seat care tips today to enjoy every journey you take.