The Official Way To Clean White Tesla Seats
The official way to clean Tesla’s premium Ultra White vegan leather seats is with a soft cloth moistened with water and non-detergent soap. Make an easy cleaning solution using Castile soap and distilled water. Never use Magic Erasers, alcohol or detergents. Non-alcohol baby wipes are safe for quick clean-ups.
Love Tesla’s Ultra White vegan leather premium interior but worried about keeping it clean?
Learn how to keep your Tesla’s Ultra White vegan leather seats clean and looking like new with these simple cleaning tips and easy homemade cleaning solution. This non-detergent soap spray follows Tesla’s guidelines so you don’t need to worry about voiding your warranty with abrasive cleaners.
Cleaning vegan leather is different than cleaning animal hide leather or traditional fabric.
How to Clean White Tesla Seats
- Tesla recommends wiping spills as soon as possible using a soft cloth moistened with warm water and non-detergent soap. The best non-detergent soaps are Castile soap, Aleppo soap, Fels-Naptha or Marseille soap.
(i) Pour a small amount of soap onto the moistened cloth or,
(ii) Spray this easy-to-make Castile Soap Spray directly onto a cloth. It’s super easy to make and is the safest way to keep your vegan leather seats clean. The following amounts fit into the suggested small spray bottle (5.4oz/160ml) that can fit into the center console or glovebox. Adjust amounts as needed for larger bottles.
Homemade Cleaner for Tesla White Seats
Easy-to-Make Castile Soap Spray for Tesla Vegan Leather
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1/2 tbsp unscented Castile Liquid Soap
- Small spray bottle (5oz/160ml)
Instructions:
- Pour 1/2 cup of distilled water into a spray bottle
- Add 1/2 tbsp of Castile liquid soap
- Shake gently before using
Hints:
In a pinch, you can use tap water instead of distilled water, but contaminants in hard water may case the soap to become cloudy or leave unwanted residue. Just make sure you wipe seats with a clean moist cloth to remove all soap residue.
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap (fair trade, vegan, organic, sustainable)
Keep your cleaner in this sleek 5oz spray bottle that’s easy to store in your console or glove box.
- Wipe gently in a circular motion.
- Wipe off all remnants of soap using a clean cloth moistened with plain water. Residue from soap that is left on the surface can dry out vegan leather, which may eventually lead to cracking.
- Wipe dry using a soft, lint-free cloth such as this one:
CAUTIONS:
Do not use detergents, which contain synthetic chemicals and surfactants that can damage vegan leather. Examples of detergents include shampoos, liquid dish soap (for example Dawn dish soap), bleach, stain removers and laundry detergent.
Tesla advises never to use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning products containing bleach, alcohol, acetone or ammonia that may cause vegan leather to dry out, leading to cracking, bubbling and discoloration. Although some people suggest it’s safe to use a Magic Eraser to clean interior seats, Tesla only recommends using a soft cloth. Since Magic Erasers are considered abrasives and not a soft cloth, avoid using this cleaning product on Tesla seats.
Read more about why you must never use Magic Erasers on your Tesla seats here:
The front seats are equipped with microphones that must not be exposed to liquids. To prevent damage to these microphones when cleaning, do not over-saturate the area of the seats where these microphones are located.
How to Protect White Seats in your Tesla
Although Tesla’s interiors are designed to repel stains, regular cleaning is recommended to maintain the interior’s original appearance and performance. Here’s how to keep your Ultra White vegan leather interior looking great:
- Vacuum or brush off crumbs, dirt and debris regularly to prevent them from grinding into the seats when you sit. We keep a soft brush in the console or behind the passenger seat.
- Clean seats regularly with non-detergent soap and water. Wipe off soap residue with a clean moist cloth and dry using a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Don’t use hand sanitizer inside your vehicle. Alcohol-based products can damage vegan leather. Keep your hand sanitizer in your handbag or pocket – not in your car, and clean and dry hands throughly before getting into your car.
- Wash new dark-colored jeans before wearing them and avoid sitting on your white Tesla seats if you are wearing dark jeans that are damp from rain, snow or extremely humid conditions. Make a habit of checking the seats after you leave the vehicle.
- Be careful when tossing items onto the passenger seat, as dirty handbags or dyes from plastic shopping bags can transfer onto the white seats. Store these items on the floor mat or protect the passenger seat with a towel.
- Don’t use self-tanners, body make-up, temporary hair dyes, lotions or oils on skin or hair that will come into contact with Tesla’s premium interior.
- If you have a dog, protect seats with a seat cover.
- If you keep a baby seat in the car, remove it periodically and vacuum, brush and clean under the seat.
- Avoid parking in direct sunlight for long periods of time. Sunlight can dry vegan leather, eventually leading to cracking.
EVehiclePro Tips: We recommend “ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner“. It’s a small portable vacuum that plugs in to your Tesla’s 12v plug. Includes 3 attachments for detailing (flathead, extendable, or brush nozzle), carry bag, filter brush, and spare HEPA filter. The 16-foot cord gives the slack needed to clean the back seat or trunk without a snag.
Best Tesla Seat Wipes
Keep non-alcohol-based baby wipes in your console for emergency clean-ups. Kirkland baby wipes are alcohol-free and have one of the safest surfactants available – you can get Kirland Baby wipes here.
They’re not intended to replace cleaning with a non-detergent soap, but they work well for quick clean-ups.
Ceramic Coating
A ceramic coating covers the surface of vegan leather to prevent high temperatures and UV rays from the sun from drying out and eventually cracking the vegan leather. Some Tesla owners have reported that this coating also helps to prevent color transfer from dyes in clothing. Ceramic coatings can be applied by a professional, or you can apply it.
Tesla owners have had success using GYEON Quartz LeatherShield.
Even though a ceramic coating may provide added protection to vegan leather seats, the seats will still need to be cleaned regularly with non-detergent soap and water. Always spot-test coatings or cleaners on an inconspicuous area before applying to visible surfaces and note that some treatments may void Tesla’s warranty.
FAQ
Does Tesla white interior hold up?
Tesla’s premium vegan leather Ultra White seats are soft, luxurious, waterproof, and durable. Seats resist spills and are easy to clean with a simple homemade non-detergent soap. After years of daily use, our Tesla’s interior is as good as new – no stains, drying, cracking or bubbling. Keep your white seats in great shape with a few common sense tips:-keep dark colored food and drinks out of the vehicle (like blueberries, red wine, cherry juice
- wash dark indigo-dyed blue jeans before wearing to avoid color-transfer
- avoid using oily body products, self-tanners and temporary hair colors
- avoid excessive UV light by using a sunshade
- never use cleaning products that can dry out vegan leather such as Magic Erasers, alcohol or detergents
- clean seats regularly with a safe, homemade non-detergent soap
How often should I clean my Tesla white seats?
Maintain Tesla’s bright white seats with a quick weekly clean. Vacuum or brush off crumbs then wipe seats with a soft cloth moistened with distilled water and Castile soap. Wipe up stains immediately with non-alcohol baby wipes.
Can I use Magic Erasers on Tesla white seats?
Tesla advises only using a soft (non-abrasive) cloth on its vegan leather seats. Magic Erasers are considered an abrasive, made from melamine foam which acts as a fine sandpaper, and can dry, dull or damage seats. Never use Magic Erasers on Tesla’s vegan leather seats or steering wheel covers.
Read more about why you must never use Magic Erasers on your Tesla seats here:
Can you use Clorox wipes on Tesla seats?
Clorox wipes contain alcohol. Tesla states on their website to “never use cleaners containing alcohol or bleach”. Never use Clorox wipes to clean Tesla vegan leather seats, as alcohol can dry out seats and lead to cracking.
How do you clean jean stains from white seats?
If you notice the color from dark black or blue jeans has transferred onto your white seats, wipe off immediately using a non-detergent soap (such as Castile) and water.
Wipe in a circular motion. Then remove all soap residue with a clean, moist, soft cloth. Allow to air dry. In a pinch, you can use a non-alcohol baby wipe. If this doesn’t work, consult a Tesla agent or car detailer that specializes in vegan leather.
Can I use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) on Tesla white seats?
Tesla advises never to use harsh chemicals containing alcohol on its vegan leather seats. Alcohol and other harsh chemicals can cause vegan leather to dry out, leading to cracking, bubbling or discoloration.
Tesla recommends cleaning seats with a soft cloth, and a non-detergent cleaner such as Castile soap.
Can you use Lysol on Tesla seats?
Avoid using Lysol products such as wipes, liquids and sprays on Tesla vegan leather seats. These products contain chemicals like ammonium and ethanol that can damage vegan leather, leading to drying, cracking and bubbling.
Is it hard to keep Tesla white seats clean?
Tesla’s Ultra White vegan leather seats are easy to maintain by regularly brushing off debris and wiping seats with a non-detergent soap (like Castile) and water. Avoid food, chemicals or cosmetic products that can cause staining such as grape juice, temporary hair color, self-tanners, dark blue or black jeans.
Can I use Dawn dish detergent on Tesla white seats?
Tesla advises never to use detergents such as liquid dish soaps, shampoo, bleach or laundry detergent on its vegan leather seats.
Detergents contain chemicals and surfactants that can cause vegan leather to dry out, leading to cracking, bubbling or discoloration.
Tesla recommends cleaning seats with a soft cloth, and a non-detergent cleaner such as Castile soap.
Are black Tesla seats easier to clean than white?
Black and white Tesla seats are both vegan leather, so they are cleaned in the same manner and equally easy to clean, but black seats are more forgiving at hiding stains. Maintain seats by regularly vacuuming or brushing off debris, and clean with a non-detergent soap (such as Castile) and water.
Can I use seat covers to protect my white seats?
After-market seat covers are not recommended for Tesla’s white vegan leather interior, as they may inhibit the sensitivity of a seat’s occupancy sensors. They could also cause staining or damage.
What is Tesla’s vegan leather made from?
Vegan leather (also called synthetic or eco-leather) is commonly made from
plastic-based materials such as polyurethane (PU) along with more eco-friendly materials such as wood pulp and other natural fibres. Due to its composition, vegan leather is much less porous than animal hide, so it resists spills well. However, it also doesn’t absorb traditional leather care products and in some cases may become damaged from chemicals found in some cleaning products and cosmetics.
How do you get sunscreen off Tesla seats?
Sunscreen, lotions and other cosmetics should be wiped off immediately using a non-detergent soap (such as Castile) and water. Wipe in a circular motion, then remove all soap residue with a clean, moist, soft cloth. Allow to air dry.
What is non-detergent soap for Tesla seats?
Tesla recommends only using non-detergent soap to clean interior vegan leather seats. Non-detergent soap is made from natural ingredients that gently clean without synthetic chemicals and surfactants that can damage vegan leather. Only clean your Tesla seats with a moist cloth and non-detergent soap such as Castile soap, Aleppo soap, Fels-Naptha or Marseille soap.
Do not use detergents on your Tesla seats such as liquid dish soap, shampoos, bleach, stain removers or laundry detergent. Always avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning products like Magic Erasers, bleach, (rubbing) alcohol, acetone or ammonia that may cause vegan leather to dry out, leading to cracking, bubbling and discoloration.
Does Tesla’s white interior seats stain?
Tesla’s white vegan leather does not stain easily, however regular or lengthy exposures to certain dyes or body products can cause discoloration. Avoid wearing dark blue jeans with indigo dye (especially if jeans are damp from rain or snow).
Avoid using body-make-up, self tanners and temporary hair dyes and don’t place dyed items like plastic grocery bags on white seats. Clean the interior regularly to maintain the premium vegan leather.
If you notice a stain, clean immediately with non-detergent soap and water. In an emergency, wipe up stains with non-alcohol baby wipes.
Is it easy to crack or damage Tesla’s white seats?
Tesla’s premium white vegan leather interior holds up well to regular use but UV light and some common products can dry out and eventually crack the vegan leather.
Avoid alcohol-based hand sanitizer, self-tanners, body lotions and oils including hair products, and don’t park regularly in direct sunlight.
Clean seats regularly with non-detergent soap and water, and consider a conditioner or ceramic coating. If you can’t avoid direct sunlight, consider a sun shade.
What if I can’t get out a stain on my Tesla white seats?
If you have a difficult stain that can’t be removed with a non-detergent soap or baby wipes, consult Tesla or an interior specialist who knows how to care for vegan seats before trying anything else. Never use abrasives like Magic Erasers which can further damage seats.
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