In an effort to freshen my vehicle’s interior, I recently purchased some car seat covers. I was successful in finding ones I like, but not immediately. My experience left me realizing that there are a few pros and cons when it comes to buying these covers.
Advantages of Seat Covers
Car seat covers are great if you want to protect your upholstery. I have a dog and I was worried that he might damage or tear the seats. His muddy paws make the seats a mess and I wanted something that would wash easily. Many car seat covers are made specifically for this purpose. They work to protect the seats from messes, spills, and wear and tear. Whenever they get too dirty, I take them off and throw them in the wash. They also preserve the original upholstery which will increase the resell value of my car if I ever want to trade it in.
Disadvantages of Seat Covers
One thing I didn’t realize when I bought my covers is that there are actually two different types: universal seat covers and custom seat covers. Many of the seat covers you see at retail stores are universal covers. I picked up the first ones I saw but was bitterly disappointed. These covers are meant to fit any vehicle, so naturally it is almost impossible to get a snug fit. My dog moves around so much that he had no problem shifting the covers off the seat to where they were no longer effective. These universal covers are generally made of cheap fabrics and you will find that they will easily become frayed or pilled. The alternative to universal covers are custom fit car seat covers. These are designed specifically for your vehicle make and model. They fit the seat like a glove and are much more reliable, however they are also a lot more expensive. My finances are tight and I was a little disappointed when I realized how much I would have to pay for covers that actually work. In the end, I forked over the money for these because I really wanted good protection.
Car seat covers can be a good purchase if you know what you are looking for. My experience taught me that there are both pros and cons with purchasing these covers. The best thing you can do is learn from my experience and know exactly what you are buying before committing to any seat covers.