Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

[Agent 99]

Hi all

Got a new '15 Corolla and the "leather" is called Soft-Tex and its not real leather, apparently. Wondering if anybody has advice on what I can use to clean it?

thanks

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

Since it's brand new and in perfect condition, Gold Class Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Spray applied with a microfiber towel should work well to maintain it looking great.

It would also be a good idea to keep a bottle of Gold Class Leather & Vinyl Cleaner [the stand alone cleaner w/o conditioner] around in case you ever have any accidents/spills to clean up. Either that or D101 APC @1:10.

[Don]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

^^^ What he said

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

Whoa, hold up there!!!

There is technical info direct from Toyota on this material, and they recommend nothing more than a damp towel. That's it. In our experience, traditional protectants will not play well with this material, not well at all. We do not recommend any of our products on this material at this time.

[The Guz]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

Have you tried contacting Toyota to see what they recommend? I came up with a lot of variations when I googled softex. Some claiming that some Meguiar's products worked such as Quik Interior Detailer. But seeing as Mike is not recommending any Meguiar's products I would stick with what he has said unless Toyota says otherwise.

[Eldorado2k]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

Whoops! My bad. Dang._.

It's funny because just a couple days ago I was in a similar situation in regards to finding out some new information I wasn't previously aware of... Long story short I was doing my homework in preparation for an upcoming detail on a late model black Mercedes Benz. And it's a good thing I did as I found out about ceramiclear and I too did a Whoa hold up there!

Lets just say I'll be going least aggressive method and then to the sealant

[Don]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

Whoops! My bad. Dang._.

My bad too, see what I get for listening to Eldorado2k

[thedoc46]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

It's annoying that leather is harder and harder to come by. My previous car VW CC R-Line which back then was well over 30k had Leatherette surfaces, (in other words PLEATHER !!!!) and it annoyed the heck out of me. I insisted on leather when it was time to replace it, and I'm so much happier for it.

[Agent 99]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

Whoa, hold up there!!!

There is technical info direct from Toyota on this material, and they recommend nothing more than a damp towel. That's it. In our experience, traditional protectants will not play well with this material, not well at all. We do not recommend any of our products on this material at this time.

Thank you sir.

[jfelbab]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

Lexus manual:

1. Cleaning the synthetic leather areas
   • ● Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
   • ● Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather using a sponge or soft cloth.
   • ● Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the dirt and wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.
   
   

[Super Dave]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

I have a 2015 4Runner. When I first bought the 4Runner I applied Aerospace 303 Protectant to the seats. Now I will have nightmares that I have ruined the seats. If anyone finds out the proper way to care for these Toyota Soft-Tex surface PLEASE let us know! I have looked online and couldn't find anything of value.

Mr. Stoops should I try to remove this protectant?

[DasBurninator]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

It's annoying that leather is harder and harder to come by. My previous car VW CC R-Line which back then was well over 30k had Leatherette surfaces, (in other words PLEATHER !!!!) and it annoyed the heck out of me. I insisted on leather when it was time to replace it, and I'm so much happier for it.

That is half the reason I went for a VR6 4motion car instead of the R-line. Real leather or bust.

[Don]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

I have a 2015 4Runner. When I first bought the 4Runner I applied Aerospace 303 Protectant to the seats. Now I will have nightmares that I have ruined the seats. If anyone finds out the proper way to care for these Toyota Soft-Tex surface PLEASE let us know! I have looked online and couldn't find anything of value.

Mr. Stoops should I try to remove this protectant?

I'm not Michael, but in my semi-experienced opinion, by trying to remove the 303AP, you will be exposing the material of your seats to even harsher chemicals. Your best bet might be to just let the 303AP wear off on it's own.

[Blueline]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

It's annoying that leather is harder and harder to come by. My previous car VW CC R-Line which back then was well over 30k had Leatherette surfaces, (in other words PLEATHER !!!!) and it annoyed the heck out of me. I insisted on leather when it was time to replace it, and I'm so much happier for it.

Even today's so called leather seems to be something else. I have a 2006 GM with leather seats and the interior smells like leather. I have 'never' used any cleaners (other than a damp cloth) and never used leather conditioners (does nothing) and yet the leather is still soft and smells like leather. I have a brand new vehicle, not a GM, and paid good money for leather seats, and the car only has that new car smell (degassing plastic) and not a hit of a leather smell. They don't 'feel' leathery like my GM. more like the vinyl seats of old.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Any experience with cleaning Toyota "soft tex" leather?

I'm not Michael, but in my semi-experienced opinion, by trying to remove the 303AP, you will be exposing the material of your seats to even harsher chemicals. Your best bet might be to just let the 303AP wear off on it's own.

Agreed. If the seats look OK, don't touch them at this point. Any damage that might occur will do so upon application of the product.