There is an often-repeated myth that leather car seats don’t need protection. The idea is that leather is naturally durable, softens over time, and looks better as it ages.
Unfortunately, this is bad advice. Leather car seats, like any material, require care and protection to maintain their appearance and preserve your vehicle’s value.
Seat covers, cleaning, and vigilance are all important parts of this care routine.
This leads us to a common question among car owners: “Will seat covers damage leather seats?”
The short answer? Not if you choose the right ones.
In this guide, we’ll explore the concerns of using seat covers on leather, separate fact from fiction, and show you how the right seat covers protect and preserve your car’s leather interior.
Understanding the Concerns of Car Seat Covers for Leather Seats
Upgrading your upholstery can cost thousands of dollars. For most people, that’s not spare change – it’s a significant investment in your car’s comfort and styling.
So, it’s understandable that you might be hesitant about using car seat covers with leather seats. Some of the common concerns include:
Moisture and mildew: Poor-quality material retains moisture, leading to mildew growth or discolouration.
Heat retention: Some materials trap heat, which can dry out and crack leather seats.
Friction: Loose or rough-textured seat covers might wear down the leather over time.
Adhesive and fit issues: Cheap seat covers will either fit badly, bunching and marking the leather, or attach use adhesives that do even more damage.
These are all valid points. However, they don’t overshadow the fact that leather car seats need protection.
While leather is durable, it’s not impervious to wear and tear, and Australia’s harsh climate adds extra stress on leather seats. Sun exposure, spills, dirt, and everyday wear can all degrade leather over time.
The real issue is not using seat covers but choosing the wrong type of seat cover for leather. Not all seat covers are created equal; in fact, there is a significant gap between low-quality, potentially damaging products, and the best seat covers for leather seats.
Choosing the Right Seat Covers for Leather
High-quality, well-fitted seat covers like those from Black Duck are designed to prevent damage rather than cause it. They act as a barrier against the barrage of spills, scuffs, dirt, UV damage, and wear and tear that car seats are subjected to.
To protect your leather seats, focus on these key factors:
Water-Resistant, Durable Materials
Avoid: Non-durable, plastic-backed seat covers that trap heat and moisture, leading to condensation, mould, and mildew.
Choose: High-quality fabrics like Black Duck’s heavy-duty canvas, which is treated using advanced technologies to ensure resistance to water, rot, and mildew. The wax-coated canvas seals the fibres for maximum durability and protection, preventing moisture from seeping through while safeguarding your seats from spills, dirt, and wear.
Tailored Fit for Seat Protection
Avoid: Seat covers with sticky or rough backings that can cause excessive friction and wear on leather surfaces.
Choose: Black Duck’s precisely tailored fit, designed to minimise movement and friction. While heavy-duty canvas has a naturally textured surface, our snug, custom-fit canvas seat covers ensure minimal contact movement, effectively reducing the risk of wear and damage to your leather seats.
Made-to-measure fit
Avoid: Universal or “one-size” seat covers for leather car seats. They slip, bunch, and rub, causing unsightly wear spots.
Choose: Custom-fit seat covers tailored specifically for your vehicle’s make and model. A made-to-measure fit minimises movement, reducing the risk of wear on your leather seats.
Did you know: Black Duck has more than 3,500 tailor-made seat cover patterns.
Secure and accessible design
Avoid: Covers that attach with adhesives or rely on harsh elastic bands that can damage the leather. Poor fastening systems can also interfere with seat controls and airbags, causing a serious safety risk.
Choose: Seat covers with secure – ideally concealed – attachment systems that are specifically designed around OEM functionality, airbags, and under-seat tracks and fittings. This ensures that you can fit and remove the car seat covers whenever you like, protecting your leather without creating a safety risk.
The Benefits of Using Seat Covers on Leather
Choosing high-quality seat covers is about more than preventing damage. It’s about actively improving the longevity of your leather seats, maximising comfort, and preserving your car’s value.
When chosen correctly, seat covers offer a wealth of benefits beyond surface-level protection:
Spill and stain protection: Prevents liquids, dirt, and grime from soaking into the leather.
UV protection: Shields leather from sun damage, preventing fading and cracks.
Maintains resale value: Retain your vehicle’s resale or trade-in value by keeping premium upholstery in pristine condition.
Vehicle versatility: Enjoy peace of mind when moving bulky or dirty material for work, chauffeuring pets, or taking the family on a road trip.
Easier cleaning: Instead of deep-cleaning leather frequently or paying hundreds for professional detailing, you can simply remove and wash the seat covers—or just wipe them down in place for quick and easy maintenance, no removal needed.
Best Practices for Using Seat Covers on Leather Seats
Black Duck SeatCovers for leather seats offer unparalleled protection. They are designed for easy use and manufactured with premium materials for durability. Still – even the best seat covers for leather seats require proper care.
Regular cleaning
Vacuum and wipe down seat covers to remove accumulated dust and dirt. You might do this weekly, monthly, or after a long drive, depending on how you use your car.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning your seat covers. This preserves any protective treatment and ensures the fit remains consistent.
Proper fit
Re-check the fit of your seat covers periodically and adjust as needed. We recommend re-tensioning Black Duck SeatCovers after you have enjoyed them for a couple of weeks, just to ensure a snug fit as the covers settle in and mould to your seat.
Let leather breathe
Allow the leather to air out when you remove the covers for a periodic cleaning. This is an added insurance against moisture build-up and helps to prevent odours.
Inspect for debris
Be careful with sharp objects, and check the covers for debris that could cause abrasion against the seat cover, interior trim, or the seat itself. Investing in premium seat covers like Black Duck, which are made using a heavy-duty 14.9oz military-grade canvas, will help to protect against accidental scrapes and abrasions.
Invest in the Best Protection for Your Leather
When you choose Black Duck SeatCovers, you never need to wonder: “Will seat covers damage leather seats?”
By investing in high-quality covers and following best practices, you will extend the life of your leather upholstery while maintaining its luxurious appearance and resale appeal.