How To Clean Sticky Leather Steering Wheel Uk

Martin Thatest · Sunday, November 21, 2021

1st September 2019,12:38 #1

Cleaning a leather steering wheel

The steering wheel on my car has become rather sticky. Tried wiping it over with a wet cloth which did help but not much.
Watched a few videos online and they al recommend expensive cleaning products.

Is there a way to clean the wheel without going out and buying these products? Can�t really be bothered with going out on a lazy Sunday so am hoping the forum collective have some housewife tips
1st September 2019,12:44 #2

Master

Cleaning a leather steering wheel

Saddle soap.....or might be inclined to try makeup wipes if your lady has some lying around.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1st September 2019,13:16 #3

Magic eraser sponge and water. Aldi selling them at moment.
1st September 2019,13:29 #4

Master

Pears soap, works like magic on a shiny leather wheel.
1st September 2019,13:35 #5

trust me on this 'baby wipes' having restored and detailed many classics etc
1st September 2019,13:37 #6

Craftsman

Originally Posted by TKH

trust me on this 'baby wipes' having restored and detailed many classics etc

This, or some warm water and a little of the soap you wash your hands with on a cloth, rinse with clean water and dry.
1st September 2019,13:46 #7

Craftsman

Don�t bother. Go for a full refurb...
http://royalsteeringwheels.com/
1st September 2019,13:52 #8

Baby wipes will work. I use leather cleaner which I have for for my leather Chesterfield wingback chairs. I also use Fairy Liquid and a tooth brush on the stitching. It really brought the red back out.
1st September 2019,14:59 #9

Master

Nail brush with Pears soap and then wiped off with a damp microfibre cloth is the best way to clean any leather in a car.
1st September 2019,15:10 #10

Master

Originally Posted by CaptainSlow

Nail brush with Pears soap and then wiped off with a damp microfibre cloth is the best way to clean any leather in a car.

Yep, 100% agree. It�s a leather experts best kept secret, it�s the glycerine in the soap that makes it a game changer.
1st September 2019,15:14 #11

Master

I use Mr Sheen's Leather Wipes for that very purpose:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Sheen-Le.../dp/B00KO2N998
1st September 2019,16:06 #12

Craftsman
1st September 2019,16:11 #13

Journeyman

Highly recommended gliptone leather cleaner , not too dear , and a high quality product , leaves a lovely leathery smell also but do use sparingly as can be overpowering.
1st September 2019,16:59 #14

Thanks for all the tips. I found some leather cleaner and conditioner which I had for my settees which I tried. It cleaned the wheel but there is an dull area which is the sticky bit that nothing would remove. Also tried soapy water followed by leather cleaner and conditioner but the dull sticky patch is still there.
What I noticed is the patch spreads so the more I attempted to clean the larger it seemed to get. Gave up in the end and left the wheel coated in conditioner so will see what it feels like tomorrow.

Haven�t had a problem with leather steering wheels before, last car had one and no problems, a quick wipe and it was as good as new.
1st September 2019,22:39 #15

Master

Originally Posted by TKH

trust me on this 'baby wipes' having restored and detailed many classics etc

Never use anything else - used them for years.
B
2nd September 2019,16:27 #16

Master
2nd September 2019,17:01 #17

Originally Posted by Middo

magic sponge

I'm not sure I'd want my steering wheel rubbed with something that had been down the front of a footballer's trolleys......
2nd September 2019,17:49 #18

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

Thanks for all the tips. I found some leather cleaner and conditioner which I had for my settees which I tried. It cleaned the wheel but there is an dull area which is the sticky bit that nothing would remove. Also tried soapy water followed by leather cleaner and conditioner but the dull sticky patch is still there.

What I noticed is the patch spreads so the more I attempted to clean the larger it seemed to get. Gave up in the end and left the wheel coated in conditioner so will see what it feels like tomorrow.

Haven�t had a problem with leather steering wheels before, last car had one and no problems, a quick wipe and it was as good as new.

Is it a BMW by any chance?
2nd September 2019,18:23 #19

Craftsman

Originally Posted by Middo

magic sponge

That's a last resort fix. Magic sponge is abrasive so you are effectively sandpapering away the coating
Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk
2nd September 2019,19:56 #20

Originally Posted by daggartuk

Is it a BMW by any chance?

Yes it is.
3rd September 2019,08:56 #21

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

Yes it is.

Maybe you've removed the top layer of the leather?
3rd September 2019,09:13 #22

There's only one thing for it
3rd September 2019,18:59 #23

Master

This is TZ-UK, have the car crushed and buy a new M3, and an MX-5. Plus a Toyota MR2 and replace most of it with the contents of your local Halfords to make it go round bends quicker on the way to see a lady-friend
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
3rd September 2019,20:06 #24

Master

Originally Posted by Rod

Magic eraser sponge and water. Aldi selling them at moment.

Plus 1 all you need to use, leaves a beautiful like new Matt finish, and just take a look at the colour of the sponge afterwards it will be black
3rd September 2019,20:11 #25

Master

Originally Posted by Taxboy

Magic sponge is abrasive so you are effectively sandpapering away the coating

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Rubbish the eraser sponge is not abrasive at all, I have cleaned my steering wheels on my cars for years with fantastic results, my 5 Series wheel after two minutes is a lovely Matt finish

Last edited by hilly10; 3rd September 2019 at 20:14.
3rd September 2019,21:17 #26

Craftsman

Originally Posted by hilly10

Rubbish the eraser sponge is not abrasive at all, I have cleaned my steering wheels on my cars for years with fantastic results, my 5 Series wheel after two minutes is a lovely Matt finish

If we are talking about melamine foam magic erasers I think you will find they are abrasive. Glad they work well for you but thought I would flag it up
Sent from my moto g(7) plus using Tapatalk
4th September 2019,08:57 #27

Originally Posted by Taxboy

If we are talking about melamine foam magic erasers I think you will find they are abrasive.

Wait! You mean they aren't actually magic??!!
4th September 2019,12:40 #28

Originally Posted by IAmATeaf

Yes it is.

It's a known problem on the BMW forums and something to do with a coating which BMW put on the steering wheel. I have exactly the same problem with mine and have tried various products and techniques to no avail. Good luck.