Keeping the interior of your vehicle in good condition is essential for preserving its value and saving you money later on. You might be asking yourself, why should I invest in seat covers for my new car? There are several steps you can take to protect the interior, such as installing seat covers and using weatherproof floor mats to keep the carpet pristine.
If you're debating, "Do I need seat covers?" consider the benefits they offer and how they fit into your lifestyle. If you love the appearance of your car's factory seats, custom seat covers can help maintain that fresh, like-new look. Adding seat covers is one of the simplest ways to maintain your vehicle's interior.
The Value of Your Vehicle’s Interior
Not only does a well-maintained interior improve the value of your vehicle, but it’s also great for your mental health and safety. If you've ever witnessed the inside of a car that's been treated like a trash bin, you can understand how difficult it is to stay positive when empty fast food bags and drink cups are piling up at your feet. It’s also dangerous to have trash around your pedals. You can save money with seat covers by keeping the original upholstery in good shape.
The interior of your vehicle is vital to its worth. Every stain or tear on a seat makes it worth less when you’re ready to trade it in. Dirty, worn carpet is also a negative. Your feet are on those pedals and heels can quickly wear down carpet, which gives the impression that if the interior looks like this, then the engine may not be maintained either. It’s easy to protect the vehicle interior from wear.
Every time you get into your car, you brush up against the sides of the seat, and with years of use, those little brushes turn into worn fabric. The bolsters get worn the most, which can result in splits and tears along the seams. Seat covers will protect the bolsters on the seat from continual wear.
Benefits of Custom Seat Covers
Here are some seat cover benefits to consider:
- Protection against spills, stains, and wear
- Since seat covers protect against spills and wear, you can expect your
seats to remain in excellent condition.
- Since seat covers protect against spills and wear, you can expect your
seats to remain in excellent condition.
- Preservation of original upholstery
- Not only do seat covers keep dirt from gathering in the seams and
creases, but the covers also stop sun damage to fabrics and other upholstery.
Heat and UV rays deteriorate cloth materials and cause them to split and fray.
- Not only do seat covers keep dirt from gathering in the seams and
creases, but the covers also stop sun damage to fabrics and other upholstery.
Heat and UV rays deteriorate cloth materials and cause them to split and fray.
- Enhanced aesthetic appeal and personalization
- In addition to protecting your seats, with so many seat cover choices, you can find a set that expresses your lifestyle. From camo to floral prints to sheepskin, make the interior of your car your own while you protect the vehicle interior.
Financial Savings with Custom Seat Covers
- Cost Comparison: seat covers vs. reupholstering or seat replacement - The cost of reupholstering a set of seat covers in a heavy duty environment, like a work truck, with a bench seat can be over $1,000 or more depending on the materials. Materials may not be that expensive, but the labor to tear the seat down, remove the old cover, and replace it, can add up to big bucks. The replacement seats start to wear, so if you have the vehicle long enough, you might have to do it again. The cost of a set of custom seat covers is reasonable and no tear-down is required, so you can quickly do the job yourself.
- Longevity of custom seat covers and their durability - Seat covers are made from durable materials that are long-lasting and stand up to kids and dogs, as well as the adults in the car. The covers are constructed from materials that can handle daily use and resist spills and tears.
- Prevention of damage from pets, children, and daily use - In addition to the covers standing up to claws and jumping kids, they are constructed to withstand sharp objects like knives, bow tips, and pens. They can take the daily wear an active family throws at them, and if they do get dirty, they’re easy to clean.
Addressing Common Questions
"Why buy seat covers?" Besides protecting your seats from spills and stains, preserving the original upholstery, and adding a personal touch to your vehicle’s interior, seat covers are also a cost-effective maintenance solution compared to reupholstering. Plus, they’re easy to clean. By keeping the interior of your vehicle clean and protected, driving is more enjoyable. You can save money with seat covers by raising the value of your and by preventing damage to your original upholstery.
"Do I need seat covers?"
Daily and Long Distant Driving – If you spend a lot of time in your vehicle, seat covers will help make the trips more comfortable. Some seat covers add padding to help support your bottom and back, which reduces fatigue over long distances.
Kids – Kids are tough on the interior of the vehicle. They spill things, drop cookie crumbs, and jump across the seats because they’re kids. Seat covers not only help prevent stains on your original seats, they clean up with a little soap and water.
Pets – You take your dog with you everywhere you go. Dogs have sharp toenails, but seat covers can add a layer of protection that stops them from digging into your original seats. Dog fur and dog accidents are much easier to clean up with a set of seat covers, which helps protect the vehicle interior from damage.
Adventurers – After a long day hiking through mud and muck, your boots, clothing, and equipment can damage your seats. With a set of seat covers, you add that easy-to-clean layer of protection from sweat and moisture. A set of floor mats will keep your carpet clean, too.
Work Trucks – If you use your truck or car for work, a set of seat covers will protect your interior from dirt and grime from clothing and tools.
Luxury or Classic Car Owners – If you have a lot of money invested in your vehicle, you want to protect the seats. Keeping the interior pristine raises the value of the vehicle when you get ready to sell it.
Extreme Seasons – People living on the high line in Montana need protection from intense cold just as much as people living in Key West, Florida need protection from intense heat and UV rays. Seat covers are best for both extremes and everything in between to prevent fading, cracking, and weather-related wear.
Foodies – If you’re one of the people who eat and drink while driving, a set of seat covers will make it easy to clean up spills. Cleaning up ketchup or coffee from a seat cover is much easier than dealing with stains on the original seats.
Even if your life isn’t in the extreme category, seat covers protect from everyday wear and tear.
Choosing the Right Custom Seat Covers
When choosing seat covers, it’s important to consider factors like material, design, and fit, as well as your tastes.
Here are some things to think about:
Materials
Leather – You get a luxurious and sophisticated look with leather seats. Seat covers are easy to clean, durable, and resist spills and stains. However, they are more expensive than and not as breathable as other materials, and they need more maintenance to keep them nice.
Fabric – You’ll find a wide range of colors and patterns when working with fabric. These seat covers are comfortable, breathable, and usually more affordable. Some common materials include polyester and neoprene.
Neoprene – This material makes for a highly durable and water-resistant seat cover, which is great for active lifestyles and outdoors enthusiasts.
Sheepskin – When it comes to temperature-regulating comfort, sheepskin is the way to go. You’ll stay warm in the summer and cool in the winter. Plus, you’ll have a plush, soft place to sit. They do require more maintenance to keep clean than regular fabric.
Vinyl – While not as luxurious as leather, vinyl is practical and creates a barrier just like leather. It’s easy to clean and resists stains. You might not find it as comfortable as leather when it comes to long drives.
Designs
This is where your personality shines through. With so many options, it might be hard to decide, but choose a design that fits your lifestyle.
Solid Colors – Always a practical choice, solid colors add a clean, uniform look to your interior. Those who like things simple and classic, choose complementary solid colors.
Patterns and Prints – Here’s where the decisions might get hard. Do you want a camo pattern for your truck or a floral, beachy interior? Regardless of your lifestyle, you’ll be able to find a pattern or print that suits it.
Custom Designs – In some cases, you may wish to create a color combination that matches your outlook on life. Some manufacturers let you design seat covers with logos or embroidery options. Talk about truly customized.
Tips for selecting high-quality, durable seat covers
When shopping for seat covers, it’s important to choose high-quality covers. Here are some basic tips to help you select the best seat covers:
Consider the Materials:
- Durability – Choose a material known for its durability like leather, neoprene, or heavy-duty fabrics. These materials are made for daily use.
- Ease of Cleaning – Choose a material that is easy to clean and maintain. You’ll find that materials like leather, neoprene, or vinyl wipe clean while fabrics need to be washed more often.
Installation:
Make sure that your seat covers come with clear instructions on how to install them. Quality seat covers should be easy to install without the need for modifications or special tools.
Construction:
- Stitching and seams – Look for reinforced or strong seams. Double-stitched seams are more durable.
- Padding and comfort – You want a seat cover with added padding for comfort.
Additional Features:
- Water Resistance – If you spend time around water or have kids who spill, look for water resistance seat covers.
- UV Protection – Extreme heat and sun climates need UV protection.
- Breathability – Fabrics and mesh will help keep your seat cool and comfortable.
Reviews and Ratings:
When it comes to choosing a seat cover, reviews can help you make your decision.
Customer Feedback – You want to see positive reviews for the seat covers and the brand.
Brand Reputation – It’s not hard to find information on a brand, so for one that has a reputation for producing high-quality products.
Warranty and Return – A good warranty says the manufacturer is willing to stand behind their product, and a return policy lets you know that the seller can be trusted.
Custom vs. universal seat covers
When it comes to fit, there are two options available to you.
Universal Fit – These seat covers are designed to fit a wide range of vehicles across many makes and models. They are easy to install and affordable; however, because of their universal nature, they may not always be a good fit for your make and model. They may be loose or not provide adequate coverage.
Custom Fit – These seat covers are made to match your seat’s contours and dimensions. They will be snug and tailored, which makes them look like the original seats. They are more expensive than universal, but the coverage is superior.
Additional Benefits
In addition to keeping your seats protected, here are some other things that make seat covers a “must-have” for your vehicle:
- Enhanced comfort with breathable and cooling options.
- Some of the breathable materials include mesh fabrics, cotton and polyester blends, and neoprene. All of these materials help the air to circulate, which keeps heat from building up and helps moisture dry up quickly.
- Ventilated seat covers actively circulate air through the seats to provide a cooler ride, which is great for hot climates. Some seat covers have cooling gel inserts that dissipate heat and keep the surface cool.
- Moisture-wicking fabrics and quick-drying materials also help keep the seats cool.
- You expect comfort and some seat covers have extra padding or memory foam inserts that raise the comfort level when driving for long distances. Seat covers with ergonomic design offer support that reduces fatigue, and soft-touch fabrics are gentle on the skin while adding softness.
- When it comes to maintenance and cleaning, you’ll want to look for seat covers that either wipe clean with a soft, damp rag, or a set that is machine washable. Your seat covers should be easy to clean and care for.
- Fast-drying materials stop mold and mildew from growing, leaving your seat covers clean and odor-free. If you live in a humid climate, this is something you want from your seat covers.
- Cleaning tools can include brushes and solutions and be specific to your seat cover. When shopping for a seat cover, look for additional maintenance information that may include the need for other cleaning solutions.
Added features like water resistance and UV protection
- Stain-resistant materials, like neoprene, repel liquid and stop stains from setting in. Waterproof covers put a barrier between the liquid and the seats, so wipe them clean. Water-resistant fabrics are not waterproof, but they do give you some protection by making it hard for liquids to seep through; you can wipe them up right away.
- UV protection prevents fading and cracking due to the sun’s intense rays. Protecting the seat covers will help keep your seats cooler as they reflect the sunlight rather than absorb it, which lowers the temperature in your vehicle. You’ll get a longer lifespan with UV-protected seats.
Conclusion:
Keeping the value of your vehicle is as easy as putting a set of seat covers over the factory seats. Covers will prevent stains, tears, wear, and fading while providing you with a comfortable ride that expresses your tastes. It’s a smart investment.
Buying a set of seat covers is easy at ShearComfort. Our product specialists have been helping customers like you get the perfect fit for over 40 years. We promise a perfect fit or your money back. Shop from our large selection of custom and universal fit seat covers, our accessories like sunshades and steering wheel covers, and pet-friendly hammocks. Order your new seat covers today.
