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Sep 08, 2023

The 10 Best Leather Cleaners of 2023

The Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Kit will keep you on track with regular cleaning and conditioning for all kinds of leather items. Jump to a Section We independently evaluate all

The Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Kit will keep you on track with regular cleaning and conditioning for all kinds of leather items.

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Better Homes & Gardens / Kristin Kempa

You likely already have a cleaning routine for your home. You might even have set days to clean rooms or declutter an area. But don’t forget about your leather items when it comes to your regular cleaning schedule.

To get leather clean, you can either mix up your own cleaner or buy the best leather cleaner for your needs. Leather cleaners come in various forms, like liquids, sprays, and balms. Some can be used on multiple items, while others are geared specifically toward leather in one area, like a car. “The best choice depends on where and how you want to use the cleaner,” says Debbie Sardone, owner of SpeedCleaning.com. We researched the best leather cleaners with this advice in mind to find the top options on the market.

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This cleaner and conditioner kit can be used on leather in cars as well as on furniture and accessories.

The conditioner is leather-scented.

The best leather cleaner overall comes in a set of two products from Chemical Guys. The cleaner comes in a spray format and has no scent. It’s designed to lift away dirt and oils from your leather by getting deep into the pores of the material.

After using the cleaner, apply the liquid conditioner about four times per year. Keep in mind that the conditioner’s leather-like scent may not appeal to everyone. The product also contains vitamin E and promises to condition the leather and prevent future damage to items like couches or leather car seats.

This complete kit, which can be used on many leather items, includes a long-bristle horse hair brush for deep cleaning. The cleaner and conditioner can be used on synthetic leather, natural leather, and sealed leather.

Price at time of publish: $43

Product Details: Type: Spray, cream | Suggested Use: Car, furniture, accessories

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This package of 30 wipes can clean and condition various leather goods.

The disposable wipes produce waste, plus you’ll need to buff leather goods with a clean cloth after using the wipe.

The Weiman Leather Conditioning Wipes clean and condition, making them the best leather cleaner for a quick touch-up. The 30-pack of wipes can be used on various items, including your car’s interior and the couch in your living room. Feel free to use the wipes to spot clean leather boots or your purse as well.

Thanks to included UVX-15 sunscreen, these wipes also offer protection from the sun. That means leather in direct sunlight will enjoy some added protection from fading and cracking.

They’re great for spot-cleaning your shoes or a quick touch-up for your car and incredibly convenient since you can toss the wipes after use. However, because they are disposable, they create additional waste and are not the most environmentally friendly option. Keep in mind that you’ll need to buff away the cleaner with a cloth, so that adds a second step to the process.

Price at time of publish: $6

Product Details: Type: Wipe | Suggested Use: Car, furniture, accessories

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The cleaner works on multiple materials, including leather, faux leather, and vinyl.

This won’t work as well on tough stains, and you shouldn’t use it on suede or Nubuck materials.

The best leather cleaner for couches comes in a spray bottle from TriNova. It’s perfect for use on leather, of course, but it can also be used to clean other materials like vinyl and faux leather. If your furniture is made from leather and faux leather, this single product will save you time and expense since you can use it to clean both materials. Take note that you won’t be able to use this on suede or Nubuck, however.

You’ll also want to use this as more of a regular maintenance cleaner, as it isn’t your best bet for removing tough stains. The spray should be applied to the included microfiber cloth and then wiped off with another clean cloth or towel.

Price at time of publish: $16

Product Details: Type: Spray | Suggested Use: Car, furniture, accessories

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These wipes are easy to store and are a one-step process.

Because they’re disposable, the wipes will create more waste than other types of cleaners.

Keeping this pack of 50 leather cleaning wipes in your car is incredibly convenient. The pack is small enough to stash in your glove box and not take up a ton of room.

It’s easy to grab a wipe and touch up your car’s interior leather when you’re parked and have an extra moment. They remove dirt as well as dust, grease, and even fingerprints. Use them on any color of leather after spot testing. You don’t need to buff with a cloth afterward, so these are a one-step leather cleaning option which is great when you’re in a hurry.

They’re designed for the leather in your car, but you can certainly use them to clean your leather shoes or handbag if you notice a bit of dirt before an important meeting. Since they are disposable, these wipes do create more waste.

Price at time of publish: $11

Product Details: Type: Wipe | Suggested Use: Car

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This cleaner is made with vitamin E and aloe and promises to keep your items soft.

This spray is leather-scented, which may or may not be something that everyone will love.

Faux leather can be just as appealing as genuine leather, but not all leather cleaners can be used on both types of material. This cleaner from Chemical Guys is the best leather cleaner for faux leather, although you can also use it on your leather furniture or car interior if you choose.

The spray comes in a leather scent, which may not appeal to everybody. However, it’s formulated with vitamin E and aloe and promises to deliver a soft feel. The water-based formula will whisk away dirt and stains.

It’s designed to be dry to the touch, so you can spray this directly onto your faux leather items if you’d like. You can also spray the product onto a microfiber cloth and then work it into the faux leather. Either way, a second cloth should be used to wipe away any remaining product.

Price at time of publish: $16

Product Details: Type: Spray | Suggested Use: Car, furniture, accessories

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This is easy to use and apply and cleans, conditions, and restores genuine leather goods.

The cleaner is sold in a pack of two, which may be more than you need if you don’t have a large amount of leather to regularly clean.

Weiman is the best spray leather cleaner because it cleans, conditions, and restores genuine leather. Plus, you can use this multitasking spray on numerous leather goods, including purses, shoes, leather furniture, and more. Feel free to use the spray on the leather in your vehicle as well because it contains sun protection in the form of UVX-15 sunscreen.

The spray comes in a pack of two, which may be a little too much if you don’t have a ton of leather to keep clean. However, the bulk purchase makes it a good value.

The spray formula gives leather a supple look with a bit of a shine while also adding moisture back to the material. Overall, you’ll notice that your leather looks restored after using this cleaner.

Price at time of publish: $20

Product Details: Type: Spray | Suggested Use: Car, furniture, accessories

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This cleaner can be used on various surfaces, doesn’t contain chemicals, and is unscented.

You’ll need to dilute it because it’s sold in a concentrated formula.

Though the price may seem a little high for a 4-ounce bottle, this liquid leather cleaner is a concentrate that makes 32 ounces of cleaner when diluted in water. Although this adds an additional step to the cleaning process, it’s easy enough to mix the concentrated liquid with water. After mixing, you pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto any leather surface. Then, you simply let it dry rather than wipe it off.

The product is made in the United States and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The liquid formula is free from chemicals and is unscented, making it a friendlier choice for the planet and your home. Note that you won’t want to use this product on suede, but it can be used to clean faux leather.

Price at time of publish: $25

Product Details: Type: Liquid | Suggested Use: Car, furniture, accessories

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The included sponge makes it easy to apply this cleaner and restore the look of your leather goods.

You may not want to use this on lighter-colored leather items since it may darken them.

If your leather items have seen better days, consider trying Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Healing Balm. It comes in an easy-to-use balm form, which keeps your cleaning routine from getting overly messy, as liquids or sprays can be.

The sponge included with the balm makes it easy and convenient to touch-up leather items like briefcases or wallets. After applying the balm, simply let it soak into the leather until it dries. Then, wipe off any remaining product. Keep in mind that this balm is made to restore or condition leather, so if you have dirt or stains, you may want to mix up a DIY cleaner before applying.

Even if the leather has scratches, light cracks, or has simply lost its luster, this balm will help condition it. After using the balm, your leather will shine and look restored. Be cautious using this product on lighter-colored leathers, as they may darken.

Price at time of publish: $18

Product Details: Type: Balm | Suggested Use: Accessories

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It includes two sponges, a cleaner, and a conditioner for everything you need to keep leather looking good.

You might go through the cleaner faster than the conditioner, especially if you only condition your leather items periodically.

With so many things on your to-do list, having a complete kit that makes it easy to clean and condition leather is handy. Lexol’s kit includes a liquid cleaner, a conditioner, and two sponges for application.

The cleaner removes dirt and oil, while the conditioner includes oils to restore the look and feel of leather items. The conditioner also protects leather from cracking, so it’s excellent for maintaining leather goods over time.

As Sardone notes, you don’t have to condition quite as often as you clean your leather. You’ll likely go through the cleaner before you finish the conditioner, but this set includes everything you need to make your cleaning and conditioning routine a little easier.

Price at time of publish: $16

Product Details: Type: Liquid | Suggested Use: Car, furniture, accessories

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It comes in an 8-ounce bottle that’s easy to transport from room to room or from your house to the garage.

The directions say to use this once every six months rather than our cleaning expert’s recommendation of monthly or quarterly.

If you have multiple leather items in your home and a vehicle or two with leather seats, then this may be the leather cleaner for you. This liquid cleaner comes in an 8-ounce bottle that’s easy to transport from room to room or from your house to the garage.

Shine Armor can be used on just about any type of leather item, from car seats to couches to shoes, gloves, and other accessories. It cleans while conditioning, so you won’t need multiple products to keep your leather looking great.

The suggested use is once every six months, and it’s safe for any color of leather, so this is an excellent multipurpose leather cleaner.

Price at time of publish: $17

Product Details: Type: Liquid | Suggested Use: Car, furniture, accessories

Our pick for the best leather cleaner goes to Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Kit. This versatile cleaner and conditioner combination kit is a convenient choice for maintaining leather in your car, furniture, and accessories.

There are a variety of leather cleaners, including spray, liquid, balm, and wipes. Debbie Sardone, the owner of Speedcleaning.com, says, “The best choice depends on where and how you want to use the cleaner.”

Sprays can be easier to use and help you coat larger areas of the leather, but you’ll want to avoid accidentally spraying other items or spraying too much cleaner. Liquid cleaners are also easy to apply but can get messy and typically take a little more time to work into the leather. Sardone’s team recommends pouring liquid cleaner onto a microfiber cloth to help control how much you use—you don’t want to saturate the leather with too much cleaner.

On the other hand, Sardone notes, “Balms will allow you to be very precise, but for a larger area, you’ll need to spend the time working the balm into the leather to get the benefits and not end up with tacky leather or a whitish film.” Another option is leather cleaning wipes, which are convenient for quick touch-ups and can be stored in your vehicle.

Before choosing a leather cleaner, you’ll first need to know what type of items you need to clean and whether they’re genuine leather or faux leather. Sardone advises reading the product label on any cleaner you’re considering before using it.

According to Sardone, you’ll want to dust leather once a week with a cloth or a soft-bristled vacuum cleaner brush attachment. Once per month, use a good leather cleaner (one of the products on this list or a DIY mixture). Ideally, about once every three months, condition your leather items, though you could get by with applying a cream conditioner once or twice per year. Sardone adds that leather can dry out if you don’t treat it, especially for items stored in dry heat, like near a fireplace or direct sunlight.

“Genuine leather has an advantage in the sense that there are more cleaning products labeled specifically for leather available at the store and online,” explains Sardone.

Because faux leather is made of plastic that’s treated with wax, dye, or polyurethane, using a genuine leather cleaner could damage it. Make sure to use a cleaner specifically formulated for faux leather, like Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner and Conditioner, on any faux leather products. Sardone notes you can combine dish soap with water, then clean faux leather with a soft cloth—just be sure to do a spot test first.

It’s easy to create a DIY leather cleaner with a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar. Sardone recommends using this mixture with a microfiber cloth, “rubbing the leather in a circular motion to lift the dirt out of the natural fibers.” To eliminate spots and dirt from leather, Sardone offers the following recipe:

Add the ingredients to a bowl, then whisk together until they’re blended. Apply the mixture to the leather with a microfiber towel or cloth.

This article was written by Brittany VanDerBill, a freelance lifestyle and travel writer whose work has been published with several Dotdash Meredith brands. To find the best leather cleaners, she researched various options, keeping in mind cleaner types and suggested use, amongst other details. She also consulted Debbie Sardone, owner of SpeedCleaning.com.