Keeping Alcantara and Suede Looking Mint (Mar 2026)

Before you touch it with any liquid, you've gotta get the loose grit out. Use your vacuum and a soft brush to agitate the dust. If you've got red dust from a trip to the Red Centre, do this three times. If you wet that dust, you're just making mud.

Identify if you're dealing with a general clean or a specific 'oops' moment like a dropped meat pie or a coffee spill. Spot treat those first.

Always chuck a bit of cleaner on a hidden spot first. I've never seen quality Alcantara bleed colour, but there's a first time for everything, and you don't want it to be on your driver's seat.

Don't soak it! Use a fine mist of your cleaner. I usually spray the brush rather than the seat to keep things controlled.

Do one bolster or one section of the steering wheel at a time. If it dries before you wipe it, you'll get water spots.

Use your horsehair brush in small, circular motions. You're trying to lift the dirt out of the fibres, not scrub a hole in the fabric.

Take a clean microfibre and press it into the area. Don't rub like you're polishing a trophy; just press and lift. You'll see the brown gunk (that's the sweat and oils) transfer to the towel.

Wring out a fresh towel with distilled water until it's barely damp and wipe the area. This gets rid of any leftover soap residue.

While it's still slightly damp, use a dry brush to comb all the fibres in one direction. This prevents it from drying flat and feeling crunchy.

For wheels, I like to use a damp microfibre 'wrap' method. Wrap the towel around the wheel and gently squeeze. It pulls the oils out without damaging the delicate stitching.

Leave the windows down (if it's safe) or park it in the garage. Never use a hair dryer or heat gun, you'll melt the synthetic fibres faster than a paddle pop in the sun.