Our top choice, Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner, cleans a variety of leather goods by actually lifting dirt out of the material. Below, find the best leather cleaners for everything from furniture to shoes. The Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner is so effective because it actually lifts dirt out of the leather pores. To use, spray and scrub the leather lightly with a stiff brush. Keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way. (And it’s always recommended to spot test a small area first.) This cleaner works into a lather as it cleans, so you can see exactly which areas you’ve covered. To condition, wipe the conditioner on a cloth or sponge, and then buff the leather. It contains vitamin E to make your leather shiny and supple. Plus, it is pH balanced appropriately for most leathers and can be used on everything from furniture to car interiors. You will need to purchase application tools—such as a brush, sponge, or microfiber cloth—separately. Fortunately, the Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner products are affordable enough to make the extra purchases justifiable. You will need to use a bit of muscle to get this cleaner working, especially on heavily-soiled leather. After you spray, wipe the product around and buff the leather. It doesn’t sud up like other cleaners; instead, it goes on similarly to a traditional conditioner. It does include UV protection, so you can be sure that the application will help protect your leather goods beyond just the initial cleaning. The Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner cleans deep into the leather pores, lifting dirt as it lathers up. The superior performance, especially for deep cleaning, makes this cleaner stand out from competitor products. It works on a variety of leather goods, doesn’t strip the color from your leather, and doesn’t leave an odor. While this is a bit more expensive than some other options, a little bit goes a long way. The actual conditioner works similarly to most other stand-alone conditioning products. While it can be used for a variety of leathers, including color-treated leather, we recommend testing it on a small sample first. You only need to squeeze a small amount—about the size of a quarter—onto a lint-free cloth to begin working on your leather. Just buff it into the surface and watch your favorite leather couch come back to life. Leather Honey conditioner can be used to protect new leather or restore old leather. It is made with silicone and solvents that won’t leave any residue behind. This leather conditioner is also odorless, making it one of the few on the market without added fragrances. However, it does not have any UV protection additives. These Armor All Leather Wipes are more expensive than other liquid or spray products. They also don’t last as long. Depending on how often you are cleaning your leather, it can be easy to waste wipes by using them for only a small spot. This leather cream is an extremely moisturizing conditioner that also cleans, but it does not include any UV protection. If it did, it would be an almost perfect product for leather care and protection. As it is, this is a top-performing cream that makes cleaning and conditioning simple and effective without a lot of work. This cleaner is great for deep-cleaning needs. To use, work the cleaner into the leather with the sponge. You can also opt to use a microfiber cloth, but you will need to purchase one separately. Lexol recommends wiping any excess cleaner with a damp cloth to prevent residue. Follow that with the conditioning treatment using the same steps. We love that the steps are easy to follow and everything that you need is all in one kit. It is a bit pricier than some other options but still a great value. You should know this isn’t the best option for deep cleaning or conditioning. Instead, it’s meant to buff out small messes or smudges shortly after they are made. If you want to deep clean or condition your leather, you are better off going with another Chemical Guys option.
Conditioning and protective elements
Leather cleaners can serve more than just one purpose. Many are cleaner/conditioner combination products. Some even have extra protection for your leather surfaces, such as UV protection. This keeps leather supple and crack-free. However, many combination products don’t work as well as their single-use counterparts. This is especially true for cleaners that work on heavily soiled leather surfaces. However, if you want something that reduces the application process to a single step, combination products are a great option.
Amount
Leather cleaners are available in every size, from small 4-ounce spray bottles you can throw in your car to 16-ounce containers you’ll likely store under the sink. Some brands even offer refill options for your spray bottles. Most people won’t need to use a lot of leather cleaner to see a big improvement, even for larger furniture items. A little often goes a long way. This is especially true for liquid leather cleaners and conditioners.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. Katie is a mother of three young children, so she is all too familiar with cleaning every type of surface in her home. When compiling this list, she considered products she uses on her own leather items, recommendations from other happy users, and the professional opinion of Maryland-based cleaning expert Arryn Wilmington. You may need extra application materials when using a leather cleaner. At a minimum, we recommend having a cloth to wipe away any extra product. This keeps residue from building up on the leather surface. A stiff bristle brush or lint-free cloth can be helpful to work the cleaner into the leather. You should always test a small spot on your leather item before you begin. For more information, check out our guide on how to clean a leather sofa and how to clean leather seats.
