How to Clean a Leather Steering Wheel

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

A leather steering wheel is regularly exposed to germs, dirt, and natural oils since you touch it every time you use your car. Over time, this residue build-up can leave your steering wheel looking overly shiny and make it harder to grip. Luckily, leather steering wheels are also easy to clean. Whether you're doing regular upkeep or a more thorough deep cleaning, all you need are a few simple products to make your leather steering wheel look brand new again!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Cleaning off Everyday Dirt

PDF download Download Article
  1. Keep a clean cloth in your glove compartment. The simplest way to prevent grimy build-up on your steering wheel is through regular maintenance. Every time you use your car, take a moment to wipe the steering wheel with the dry cloth. This removes dirt and prevents it from accumulating on the wheel.
  2. If your cleaner didn't come in a spray bottle already, transfer it into one. Spray the towel until it is saturated but not soaking. [1]
    • You can try using the same cleaner that you would use on a pair of leather shoes. [2]
    • If you don't have any leather cleaner at all, improvise by making a solution that is three parts water, one part multi-purpose cleaner. [3]
    Advertisement
  3. Start by wiping the entire wheel in a 360-degree turn. Then place the cloth over the wheel, grip the wheel through the cloth, and gently twist back and forth. [4] Continue going over the steering wheel with the cloth to remove any residue. [5]
  4. Rinse a cloth in a little warm water until it is damp but not drenched, and then wipe the steering wheel to wash away any excess leather cleaner. Dry the wheel with a soft towel. [6]
    • Be very thorough in washing the steering wheel if you have used a homemade water and multi-purpose cleaner solution, since multi-purpose cleaner can be a skin irritant. [7]
  5. To maintain the suppleness of your steering wheel's leather, squeeze a dime-sized amount of conditioner into your palm and gently rub it into the wheel with your bare hands in a massaging motion. Let the conditioner dry for 30 minutes and then use a clean towel to remove the excess. [8] You can do this once a week or so rather than every day.
    • If you don't have time to wait half an hour for the conditioner to dry, simply wipe off all the excess with a towel right away. Don't drive with the conditioner on the wheel, since it can be slippery and dangerous. [9]
    • The conditioner creates a protective barrier on your steering wheel that cushions it from everyday wear and grime and repels stains. [10]
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning off Heavier Grime

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you haven't been doing regular upkeep on your steering wheel, opt for a brush instead of a microfiber towel. Spray the leather cleaner directly onto the brush, taking care not to spray the dashboard, and gently scour the steering wheel to create a lather. [11]
    • Immediately wipe the lather away with a clean, dry microfiber towel. Then rub your steering wheel down with a damp cloth and dry again with a towel.
    • If there is stitching on the wheel, use the brush to give a series of light taps to the fibers in between the threads. This tamping releases the dirt from the stitches.
    • You can improvise with a toothbrush if necessary. [12]
  2. For heavy dirt build-ups on steering wheels that have previously been cleaned very infrequently, spray leather cleaner onto an interior scrubbing pad and wipe the wheel with short strokes. Before the cleaner dries, wipe it off with a microfiber towel. [13]
    • Wipe the wheel down with a damp cloth to remove any excess leather cleaner and then dry with a soft towel.
  3. If you have access to one, a steam machine is a great way to remove bacteria from the leather. Choose a steam machine with single-hole nozzle. Fill it with distilled water and put it on the medium setting, then spray the steering wheel. Work your way around the entire wheel, wiping the moisture off immediately as you go with a microfiber towel.
    • Remember to rotate the towel as you clean, to prevent the dirt and germs accumulated in the steam cleaning from being wiped right back onto the wheel. [14]
    • You can purchase a steam machine at your local home improvement store or online.
  4. Degreaser, which comes as an aerosol spray, draws out the oil and grease and transforms them into a dry powder. Spray the degreaser onto a microfiber towel until it is saturated but not dripping and rub it all over the wheel. Wait while it dries into a powder. Once the powder is fully dry, you can wipe it off with a clean towel or brush.
    • The powder should be white. If it dries into a yellow color, there is still a lot of oil and grease left in your leather and you should repeat the degreasing process until the powder comes out white.
    • After degreasing the wheel, clean it again with leather cleaner and a microfiber towel, remembering to wipe it off afterwards with a clean wet cloth and then dry it with a soft towel.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can you use Clorox wipes on a leather steering wheel?
    Angel Ricardo
    Auto Technician
    Angel Ricardo is the owner of Ricardo's Mobile Auto Detail headquartered in Venice, California. With over 10 years of experience in mobile detailing, Angel continues to attend auto detailing trainings to improve his customer service and auto detailing skills.
    Angel Ricardo
    Auto Technician
    Expert Answer
    Use leather cleaner and a microfiber cloth so you don't damage the leather. You can also use the leather cleaner to wipe down the other components in your car.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How can I make my leather steering wheel look new?
    Angel Ricardo
    Auto Technician
    Angel Ricardo is the owner of Ricardo's Mobile Auto Detail headquartered in Venice, California. With over 10 years of experience in mobile detailing, Angel continues to attend auto detailing trainings to improve his customer service and auto detailing skills.
    Angel Ricardo
    Auto Technician
    Expert Answer
    Spray leather cleaner onto a microfiber towel and wipe the steering wheel down until there's no residue left. Leather cleaner is gentle enough to use without damaging the material.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0
  • Question
    What cleaner should I use for other surfaces in my car?
    Angel Ricardo
    Auto Technician
    Angel Ricardo is the owner of Ricardo's Mobile Auto Detail headquartered in Venice, California. With over 10 years of experience in mobile detailing, Angel continues to attend auto detailing trainings to improve his customer service and auto detailing skills.
    Angel Ricardo
    Auto Technician
    Expert Answer
    You can actually use leather cleaner to clean the other surfaces in your car as well.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • In most cars, the center of the steering wheel is actually made of plastic or vinyl, not leather, but you can still use leather cleaner on it. [15]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • Leather cleaners and conditioners help to protect and strengthen leather, preventing it from cracking and discoloring. These products also make leather easier to clean in the future. You may have heard of "oiling" leather, but avoid using oils on your leather because they actually cause it to deteriorate faster.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • You can replace the cracked or worn out leather on your steering wheel.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Be gentle when you are cleaning your leather steering wheel. If you apply too much pressure when you rub and scrub the wheel, you can damage and discolor the leather. [16]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Reset Your Steering Angle Sensor Without an OBD-2
      How to
      Reset a Traction Control Light (TCS)
      How to
      Get Out of Limp Mode: 5 Ways to Bypass, Signs, & More
      What to Do If Your Car’s Anti-Theft System Prevents It from Starting
      How to
      Change an Oxygen Sensor
      How to
      Fix a Locked Steering Wheel
      How to
      Open a Hood with a Broken Latch
      Car Not Starting, but Still Has Power? These Are the Most Common Causes
      How to
      Unlock the Hood of Your Car
      How to
      Determine Gear Ratio
      How to
      Reset a Gas Gauge Needle
      Quick and Easy Steps to Reset the Maintenance Required Light
      How to
      Fix a Cigarette Lighter in a Car
      Resetting a Camshaft Position Sensor: Everything You Need to Know
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NobnLmfYEg
      2. ↑ https://www.endurancewarranty.com/learning-center/shoptalk/how-to/clean-maintain-steering-wheel/
      3. ↑ https://www.autoblog.com/news/article-how-to-clean-your-steering-wheel-autoblog-details
      4. ↑ https://www.autoblog.com/news/article-how-to-clean-your-steering-wheel-autoblog-details
      5. ↑ Angel Ricardo. Auto Technician. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
      6. ↑ https://www.endurancewarranty.com/learning-center/shoptalk/how-to/clean-maintain-steering-wheel/
      7. ↑ https://www.autoblog.com/news/article-how-to-clean-your-steering-wheel-autoblog-details
      8. ↑ https://www.endurancewarranty.com/learning-center/shoptalk/how-to/clean-maintain-steering-wheel/
      9. ↑ https://www.endurancewarranty.com/learning-center/shoptalk/how-to/clean-maintain-steering-wheel/
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NobnLmfYEg
      2. ↑ https://www.autoblog.com/news/article-how-to-clean-your-steering-wheel-autoblog-details
      3. ↑ https://www.autoblog.com/news/article-how-to-clean-your-steering-wheel-autoblog-details
      4. ↑ https://www.autoblog.com/news/article-how-to-clean-your-steering-wheel-autoblog-details
      5. ↑ https://www.autoblog.com/news/article-how-to-clean-your-steering-wheel-autoblog-details
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhKcAJUhglQ
      7. ↑ https://www.autoblog.com/news/article-how-to-clean-your-steering-wheel-autoblog-details

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Cleaning your leather steering wheel regularly will keep it shiny, and all you need are a few simple products. Start by brushing any dirt off with a dry cloth. Then, spray a microfiber towel with leather cleaner until it’s damp. Use this to gently wipe down the steering wheel. Once it’s clean, use a cloth with warm water to remove the excess leather cleaner from the wheel, then dry it off with a clean cloth. Afterward, work a small amount of leather conditioner into the steering wheel with your hands. Let it dry for 30 minutes, then use a clean towel to wipe up any excess conditioner. To learn how to do a deeper clean, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 62,797 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement