Car seat covers help you ward off sticky fingers, spilled food and drink, pet hair, and other contaminants. They also offer protection from weather and sun. But before you buy a cover, review the features and choose one that fits your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.

Invest in a Made-to-Measure or Universal Car Seat Cover

Make the most of your vehicle and protect your investment with a set of front and rear seats made to your car’s specifications. Custom-fit covers may cost more, but they can fit tighter around the seat, which helps reduce accidents and injuries.

Regardless of the type of cover you purchase, it’s important to clean it frequently. Before putting the cover back on, vacuum the seat and wipe down the frame with a damp cloth or rag. Don’t get the exterior of the car seat too wet; it could cause the manufacturer’s labels—which provide installation assistance, expiration dates and identifying information in case of recall—to peel off.

Protect your seats with covers crafted from durable materials. The highly rated Weather Tech Seat Protectors, for instance, feature a waterproof and stain-resistant polycotton twill fabric with a nylon lining. They fit front or rear bench or bucket seats and attach to the headrests for a secure fit. The company also offers a lifetime limited warranty.

Other covers, like the popular Moosehide Cow Hide Car Seat Covers, feature soft neoprene material that makes car rides more comfortable for your dog or cat. These covers have thousands of five-star ratings on Amazon, and they can be machine-washed in cold water and then tumble-dried on low.