Volkswagen Tiguan Owners Manual: Care and cleaning of leather upholstery

Read and follow the introductory information and safety information first⇒Introduction to the subject 

If you have questions regarding the care and cleaning of the leather upholstery in the vehicle, please contact an authorized Volkswagen dealer or authorized Volkswagen Service Facility.

Care and treatment

Natural leather requires special attention and care. Napa leather has a smooth surface. The intensity of the color application determines the leather's appearance and texture. If you can see the leather grain and other natural characteristics, this is an untreated napa leather that will provide very comfortable seating. Delicate veins, closed scars, insect bites, folds, and a slightly clouded color remain visible and represent authentic characteristics of the natural material. Untreated napa leather has no protective coating. It is therefore more susceptible to damage. You should keep this in mind if the leather is going to be exposed to severe wear from children, animals, or other factors. By contrast, leather that has a protective coating is more robust. This has a positive effect on the leather's durability in daily use. The typical natural characteristics are hardly visible or no longer visible at all, but that has no impact on the quality of the leather itself. The typical characteristics of untreated leather are much more distinctive than those of a surface-treated leather.

• After each cleaning, apply cream that waterproofs the leather and protects it against the sun. Such creams also nourish the leather, let it breathe, keep it flexible and moisturized. At the same time it protects the surface.

• Clean leather every 2 to 3 months and remove any new stains.

• Treat leather with a suitable leather-care product twice a year ⇒ .

• Apply cleaning and conditioning materials sparingly and always with a dry, lint-free cotton or wool cloth. Do not apply cleaning and conditioning materials directly to the leather.

• Remove fresh stains such as ballpoint pen, lipstick, ink, shoe polish, etc. as soon as possible.

• Preserve the leather's color. If necessary, refresh fading spots with a specially-colored leather cream.

• Wipe the leather with a soft cloth.

Cleaning

Volkswagen recommends using a slightly moistened cotton or wool cloth for general cleaning.

It is important not to let water soak through the leather or penetrate into seams.

Before cleaning leather surfaces, read and heed the information ⇒ Cleaning upholstery on heated seats and power seats or seats with airbag components .

Type of stain	Cleaning
Severe stains	– Apply a mild soapy solution with a cloth that has been wrung nearly drya). – Dab dry with an absorbent cloth.
Water-based stains, such as coffee, tea, juice, or blood.	Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth. – If the stains are already dry, use an appropriate cleaning agent ⇒ .
Grease-based stains, such as oil, lipstick, etc.	Remove fresh stains with an absorbent cloth. – Use an appropriate cleaning agent on stains that have not yet penetrated the surface ⇒ .
Special stains, such as ballpoint pen, marker, nail polish, latex paint, or shoe polish.	– Dab dry with an absorbent cloth. – Clean with a special stain remover designed for leather.

Note

• Stains that have been left in place too long will penetrate the surface of the leather and cannot be removed.

• Never treat leather with solvents, floor wax, shoe polish, stain remover or similar products.

• Wipe up spilled liquids immediately with an absorbent cloth. Liquid can penetrate leather surfaces and seams within a few seconds.

• If the vehicle is left in the sun for a long time, cover the upholstery to protect the leather from direct sunlight and to help prevent fading and discoloration.

Slight discoloration caused by wear and tear is normal.

^a) Mild soap solution: 2 tablespoons of liquid soap in one quart of water.