Alcantara Cleaners

Alcantara is the suede-like synthetic material on the steering wheels, gear gaiters, seat centres and headlining of many sporty cars. Where hands and backs rest on it, skin oil and dirt flatten the fibres and leave it shiny, so it needs a gentler, drier clean than carpet. The range includes the Koch-Chemie Colourlock Pol Star Textile, Leather & Alcantara Cleaner, and CarPro lists CarPro Inside for Alcantara at a 1:10 dilution.

How to choose

• Foam or spray: a low-moisture foam keeps water out of the backing, and a pump gives more control on a steering wheel or gear gaiter.
• One product or two: a cleaner named for textile and leather as well as Alcantara, such as Koch-Chemie Pol Star, covers seats that mix the materials.

Good to know

• Spray lightly, work it in with a soft brush or microfibre, leave it a few minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth. Never soak headlining: the glue behind it can let go and the lining sags.
• Once dry, brush the fibres in one direction with a soft brush from Interior & Leather Brushes to lift the pile.

Can Alcantara be washed?

Not soaked like carpet, but it can be cleaned. It needs a gentler, drier clean: a low-moisture foam worked in lightly and wiped off with a damp cloth. On headlining, soaking can loosen the glue behind it.

How do you bring Alcantara back to life?

Clean out the skin oil and dirt that flatten the fibres and make it shiny, then, once it is dry, brush the fibres in one direction with a soft brush to lift the pile again.

Related: Fabric, Carpet & Upholstery, Carpet & Fabric Cleaners, Spot & Stain Removers, Leather Cleaners. Popular brands here: Koch-Chemie, CarPro.