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Volkswagen Golf Mk7 Owners Manual: Cleaning and caring for natural leather covers

Natural leather in the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 is sensitive and needs regular care — this page gives the correct maintenance routine and recommends contacting a Volkswagen dealership or qualified workshop with any specific questions about your car's leather equipment.

First read and observe the introductory information and safety warnings

Please contact a Volkswagen dealership or other qualified workshop if you have any questions on cleaning and caring for the leather equipment in your vehicle.

Care and use

Natural leather is sensitive and requires regular care:

  • Use a leather cream with sunlight protection and impregnation properties on a regular basis and always after cleaning. The cream nourishes the leather, keeps it breathable and supple and replaces lost moisture. It also protects the surface.
  • Leather should be cleaned every 2 to 3 months and fresh stains removed.
  • Treat the leather with a special leather care product every six months  .
  • Always apply cleaning and care products extremely sparingly and always use a dry cotton or woollen cloth that is free from fluff. Do not apply cleaning and care products directly to the leather.
  • Remove fresh stains such as ink, ball-point pen ink, lipstick, shoe cream etc. as quickly as possible.
  • Look after the pigment. Use a special coloured leather cream to refresh the colour where necessary.
  • Wipe it off with a soft cloth.

Cleaning

Volkswagen recommends that you use a damp cotton or wool cloth for general cleaning purposes.

Do not let the water soak through the leather or soak into the seams.

Please observe the following notes prior to cleaning the leather upholstery   .

Type of stain Cleaning
Stubborn stains – Use a wrung-out cloth to apply a mild soap solution.a).
– Dry with an absorbent, dry cloth.
Water-based stains, e.g. coffee, tea, juice, blood etc. – Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth,
– If the stain has already dried, use a suitable cleaning agent  .
Oily stains, e.g. oil, lipstick etc. – Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth.
– If the stain has not yet penetrated the surface, use a suitable cleaning agent  .
Difficult stains, e.g. biro, felt tip pen, nail varnish, emulsion paint, shoe polish etc. – Dry with an absorbent, dry cloth.
– Clean with a suitable leather stain remover.

NOTICE

  • Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, spot removers or similar products on leather.
  • Stains cannot be removed if they has been left on the leather for a long time and have penetrated the surface.
  • Spilt liquids should be cleaned immediately using an absorbent cloth as the leather surface and the stitching absorb liquids quickly.
  • If the car is left standing outdoors for long periods, the leather should be protected against direct sunlight to prevent it from fading.

However, slight colour variations will arise in normal use.

a) Mild soap solution: 2 tablespoons of neutral soap diluted in one litre of water.

    Questions & answers

    Cleaning and caring for natural leather covers — Volkswagen Golf Mk7

    How should I clean Golf Mk7 leather seats?
    Wipe regularly with a slightly damp, soft cloth. Every few months, apply a VW-approved leather care product to keep the hide supple and protected from UV damage.
    Can I use saddle soap on the Golf Mk7 leather?
    The manual recommends only VW-approved leather care products. Generic leather cleaners or saddle soap may contain chemicals that discolour or dry out automotive leather.
    Does Golf Mk7 leather upholstery need conditioning?
    Yes. Leather dries out over time, especially in sunny climates. Regular conditioning prevents cracking and maintains the soft feel.
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