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Alcantara Car Interiors: What is it, and How Do You Clean It?
Alcantara has become the automotive industry’s premier choice for high-performance interiors. Found on everything from F1 steering wheels to luxury BMW seating and headliners, this premium material offers a unique blend of grip and aesthetics. But what exactly is Alcantara, and how do you maintain its "like-new" feel?
Alcantara® is a branded synthetic textile produced by the Italian company Alcantara S.p.A. While it is often mistaken for suede, it is actually a non-woven microfiber material.
Though it rose to prominence in supercars during the 1970s, it is now a common feature in daily drivers and luxury sports sedans. Other manufacturers use similar high-tech synthetic suedes, such as Porsche’s Race-Tex®, which share nearly identical maintenance requirements.
What is Alcantara Made Of?
To understand how to clean it, you first need to know its chemical composition. Alcantara is composed of:
68% Polyester
32% Polyurethane
In essence, Alcantara is a high-grade "plastic" textile. This synthetic DNA makes it significantly more durable and water-resistant than natural leather suede, which is prone to staining and water damage.
Why Is Alcantara Used in Car Interiors?
Manufacturers choose Alcantara over traditional leather for several functional reasons:
Enhanced Grip: Its textured surface provides better friction, making it ideal for steering wheels and performance seats.
Temperature Regulation: Unlike leather, it doesn't get scorching hot in the summer or freezing in the winter.
Durability: Because it is synthetic, it resists wear and tear from daily use better than organic materials.
Weight Savings: It is lighter than leather, a key factor for track-oriented vehicles.
Pro Tip: According to the official Alcantara cleaning guide, clothing made of this material is machine washable. While you can't throw your car steering wheel in the wash, this highlights the material's incredible resilience during deep cleaning and detailing.
How to Maintain Your Alcantara Interior
Because Alcantara is a microfiber pile, it can become "matted" over time due to oils from your skin. Regular maintenance is key to preventing that greasy, flat look.
Weekly: Use a soft-bristled brush to "fluff" the fibers.
Monthly: Wipe down with a damp (not soaking) microfiber cloth to remove surface dust.
Yearly: Deep clean with a dedicated Alcantara cleaner, following the steps below.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide
Performing the “scratch test”
For my steering wheel, I like to do the scratch test to determine if it needs a deep clean. If you scratch the side of the wheel near the 9 and 3 position and it leaves a mark, that’s oil and dirt build up from your hands and the wheel needs to be cleaned.
I like to use Sonax Alcantara Cleaner in the pump bottle. You’ll also need an upholstery brush like this one.
Step 1: Use your dry upholstery brush and a vacuum to remove the dust and loose dirt. The more heavy dirt and debris you can knock off in this step, the better.
Step 2: Soak a microfiber towel in hot water and wring it out. Blot your way around the wheel paying special attention to the 9 and 3 positions where your hands tend to rest. Don’t forget about the back side of the wheel.
Step 3: Pump some Sonax Alcantara Cleaner in to your hands and massage it into the wheel.
Step 4: Use an upholstery brush to gently work the product into the Alcantara, then allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Use a microfiber soaked with plain water to remover the product. If your steering wheel is especially dirty, you may need to repeat steps 2-5 more than once.
Step 6: Once the Alcantara is dry, use a brush to help the fibers stand up. It doesn’t necessarily have a directional grain like real suede, but brushing the Alcantara will help restore its original deep black appearance.
The key here is to keep up with regular maintenance cleaning. Don’t let it go for so long that it gets soiled and nasty. For more information on Alcantara care, check out their official cleaning guide on their website here.
Pros and cons of alcantara
So, why would you want Alcantara in your car?
is alcantara right for you?
If we’re talking about your daily driver, something you’re putting a lot of miles on, I’d personally avoid Alcantara on touch surfaces like steering wheels. If you aren’t going to benefit from the added grip of an Alcantara wheel on a track, I’m not sure it’s worth the extra upkeep for the average person.
In hindsight, I would have preferred a leather steering wheel for my car, but BMW only offered the Race Display Steering Wheel with the Alcantara finish. I don’t hate it, but any time I drive, I’m paranoid about it getting dirty. If you’re someone who generally prefers low maintenance and doesn’t want to invest a lot of time cleaning your car every week, you might want to skip it.