1794 seats getting mold..

I purchased this 2020 truck in February, and as the temps have gone up I noticed that the seats are getting a color change around each of the air holes.

What is happening is that I sweat when I work out, get in the truck, and I think mold is forming. The problem is it seems to be on the bottom side of the leathers. see picture.

The internet says to use dish soap or alcohol. I tried both, they didn't work. the Alcohol is slightly changing the color.

Anyone have a recommendations? I didn't have this problem on my 2016 Limited with Leather seats (no holes).

Texas heat make sweating on the seats unavoidable for me.

 

I really don't think it's mold. The TX sun would dry off any sweat in a minute. Mold needs time to form and constant moisture to stay. I think it's just plain old dirt with the sweat. Have you tried a good leather cleaner?

 

Try 303 3-in-1 leather cleaner, conditioner and protectant. I'd let it soak in pretty good, wipe, and then vacuum with a wet/dry vac to pull some of that out of the holes. If that doesn't get it out, I would try Tuff Stuff cleaner. It is a mild cleaner that has a ph that is a base instead of acidic I've had good luck with it removing greasy fingerprints and lipstick from headliners and upholstery. It also foams and can get down in those holes and crevices. If you use the Tuff Stuff, I would still go back over it with the 303 to condition and protect. Then I'd give it a quick wipe with the 303 at least once a month to avoid build up like that OR get seat covers. I use both on my 2020 1794 leather and it looks like new still.

 

Do you wear blue jeans on your seats? Sometimes the blue rubs off.

Be careful with the cleaners, it can damage the seat. Also, constant moisture can do the same.

 

Most of Texas is that way, but I live in Houston which has had more moisture then I want to deal with. 100 heat with rain for a couple months now. Add a hurricane on that.

 

I will try all of this. Thanks.

 

Yeah, I wear blue jeans a lot but this isn't blue jeans. This is CrossFit sweat, and hot humid Houston weather. Then not cleaning it fast enough. Now I use 2 towels every time. It is not getting worse but I need to clean it up.

 

Let me/us know if it works.

 

I popped a cheap Amazon neoprene cover on my driver’s seat so I could drive back from the gym wet

edit: I have the exact same truck as you and it pains me to cover the beautiful brown leather, but it keeps it safe

 

My vehicle is smoked mesquite with saddle brown leather. Everyone with a 1794 addition will testify these seats are hard to maintain and magnify every type of spilled liquid. If you slide down, as you're getting out, your seat cushion will not maintain definition. I utilize the grab handle and steps as much as possible, getting in and out, to slow down wear and tear on the cushions. The coloration will change quickly if you wear blue jean on a daily basis. Tuff and stuff is a great product but use sparingly.

 

This makes me glad I got a 2020 SR5 TRD off road. Last thing I want to do is worry about the interior.

 

Well, I have tried everything on here through the summer. Nothing has worked.

Tried:

1. Dawn
2. Rubbing Alcohol
3. 3 in 1 conditioner
4. Leather honey cleaner then their conditioner

 

Do the Katzkins covers do that too?

 

No. Mine haven't.
I ordered my katzkin set with no perforation.

I think on the 1794 dust has accumulated in all the perforation holes and with sweat the dust and dirt mixes and makes a mess.

That's why I didn't get perforation. Solid leather with no holes seems more durable in my mind.

 

What about your heating and cooling seats ?

 

I think you might have to remove the seat leather to get it fully cleaned off. Clean it from both sides and even use a tiny pipe cleaner or something for the perforation holes.

I work out pretty hard at home. There’s no way I’d be getting straight into my truck with clothes on soaked through with sweat. I would towel off and change clothes for the ride home.

Or you could get one of these folding seat pads and throw a towel over that. Something easily removable that doesn’t require putting over the entire seat that you only use for the ride home from the gym.

 

I don't think that's a factory 1794

 

Yeah...Had the Saddle Leather seats in my Ford King Ranch Edition.
Loved the truck but ruining the leather always had me worried.
Spilled ketchup on the center console and thought for sure it wasn't going to come out!!!
A little leather cleaner and it came right out.
My last truck with leather interior though!!
Dont like being worried about Shit like that all the time!!!

 

I would recommend pulling out the whole seat, removing the lower/bottom leather cover, and steam clean it- then condition it throughly and re-install. I'd keep a pack of dry activated charcoal or other dissecant like Damprid in the truck all the time. My 2018 1794 here in Arizona doesn't run into "moisture" issues, I do reguarly condition the leather.

 

Try using your drill brush and Bickmore Saddle soap, followed up with Bick 4 leather conditioner. I don't have perforated leather but the stuff cleans the seats up nicely.

 

I just have heated seats.
Cooled seats are gimmicky to me. They blow air, it's not refrigerated air.
Ventilated seats are worthless to me. Real Air conditioned seats, that blow cold air, that would be worth it l.

 

You might try a steam cleaner and just hover around the areas longer; maybe the heat will kill it if it is mold or mildew

 

I would vacuum like crazy. Then steamer. With a carpet extracter.

You need to get the grime out/ extracted.

Or remove bottom custom leather cushion and clean it out if the truck