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Lexus: How to Remove Wrinkles from Leather Seats

These two simple tricks will help you keep your leather clean and wrinkle free for the lifespan of your Lexus.

By Makeda - November 11, 2014

This article applies to all Lexus IS, RX, ES, GS, and LS models (2005-2014).

Think of the leather in your car as skin that needs to be cleaned, conditioned, and protected to maintain a healthy appearance. Similar to our skin, if we do not take care of leather, it will dry, crack, and eventually break over time. Wrinkles in leather are caused by environmental stress, heat, or damage from regular wear and tear. To prevent this from happening in the first place, wipe down the leather with a damp, 100% cotton towel on a regular basis to keep it hydrated. Conditioners can leave leather feeling hard and waxy if you use the product more than needed.

Moisture is what keeps leather supple; a lack of it will make your seats wrinkle and crack. There are two methods to deal with this. The first is the blow dryer method, which, while fast, will likely make your leather crack more quickly. The hot towel method will take longer (maybe 30 more minutes), but is a longer term fix than the first method.

Materials Needed

  • Clean cloth
  • Leather cleaner
  • Leather conditioner
  • Blow dryer or heat gun

The Blow Dryer Method (fastest)

Step 1 - Clean the seats

Use a mild soap to wipe the leather seats. Rinse the cloth and wipe down the leather material to dry it from leaving soap residue.

Step 2 - Blow dry wrinkles smooth

Turn the blow dryer on its highest setting. Hold the dryer 8 to 10 inches away from the wrinkles, moving it back and forth over the leather. After time, the wrinkles will begin to disappear as the leather surface tightens up.

Featured Video: How to Blow Dry Wrinkles from Leather

The Hot Towel Method (best)

Step 1 - Put towels in water

Put cotton towels in a bowl filled with warm or cold water. You'll need enough to cover the leather surface you'll be de-wrinkling.

Step 2 - Microwave towels until hot

Make sure the towels are very hot and completely saturated. Wearing gloves, remove the piping hot towels from the bowl and wring them out until they're wet but don't drip.

Step 3 - Apply hot towels to wrinkles

Apply the hot towels to the wrinkled surface. Let sit or hold in place. Remove them when they've cooled. As the seats cool, the re-hydrated leather will lose its wrinkles and pop back into shape.

Pro Tip

One way to prevent wrinkles is to keep the leather hydrated by regularly wiping it with a damp cotton towel (i.e., for a few hours every 1 - 2 weeks). Keeping your car out of the sun also prevents wrinkled seats. If you do not have covered parking, park your vehicle in a shaded area. Conditioners can also keep your seats wrinkle-free, as they do not seep through the urethane topcoat of leather.

Featured Video: Use Hot Towels to Remove Wrinkles from Leather Seats

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