IN THIS GUIDE
Whether you drive a fancy high-end car, a truck, or a compact, it’s very possible that you have leather seats that you’ll want to keep looking and feeling good. Keep reading to learn about the best leather conditioners and cleaners for your beautiful leather car interior.
Or if you’ve been driving your vehicle for a while, you may have noticed that your once beautiful and supple leather seats are now looking a bit worn and it’s possible that they’ve even started cracking. And you’re wondering what’s the best leather conditioner for cracked car seats?
Or maybe there’s an ink mark or two from that pen your kids were using or from the pen you left in your back pocket when you sat down? And you need the best cleaner available on the market.
There are many products on the market that can help protect, clean, and condition your car’s leather seats. We’ve done the research for you and narrowed down the list of the best available leather conditioners and cleaners on the market.
The Best Leather Conditioners And Cleaners
Leather & Cleaner Conditioner | Features | |
---|---|---|
TOP OVERALL PICK: LEATHER CONDITIONER | Leather Honey Leather Conditioner | – Non-toxic, non-solvent, odorless, and silicone-free – Water, snow and rain repellent – Not for suede |
RUNNER UP: LEATHER CONDITIONER | Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner | – Will NOT darken your leather products – Wax-free – Will not darken leather – Not for suede |
TOP PICK: CONDITIONER FOR COVERING LARGE SURFACES | LEXOL All Leather Conditioner | – Doesn’t contain silicone products – doesn’t leave a greasy residue – Not for suede |
TOP PICK: CLEANER AND CONDITIONER CAR CARE KIT | Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Care Kit | – pH balanced – removes ink stains |
TOP PICK: ALL-IN-ONE LEATHER CLEANER AND CONDITIONER SPRAY | Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner | – Cleaner, conditioner, and protector – UV sun protection with a UVX of 15 – Not for vinyl |
TOP PICK – Leather Honey Leather Conditioner
Leather Honey Leather Conditioner is well known and has been available for over 50 years. It’s tried and tested by many people and at the time of writing this article, it had close to 10,000 reviews. That’s a lot of leather-lovers who have chosen Leather Honey as their favorite, tried, and trusted product to condition their leather.
It’s non-toxic, non-solvent, odorless, and silicone-free. All positive features that speak volumes. And it’s water, snow, and rain repellent which makes it a great option for conditioning and protecting leather boots, shoes, purses, and jackets.
Many use it to protect their leather vehicle and motorcycle seats but it’s also a great option for your leather furniture and other leather items such as saddles, belts, and wallets.
It’s important to note that it can’t be used on suede but feel free to apply it to your faux leather, or vinyl although some consumers note that it has changed the color of their leather.
You’ll want to be sure you test it out in an inconspicuous spot.
The fact that it’s made in the USA and the company is owned by the original inventors lends a ton of confidence, along with their money-back, full refund guarantee.
PROS
- Well known and respected by consumers for many years
- A single application lasts at least 6 months
- Non-toxic, non-solvent, odorless and silicone-free
- Water repellent
- USA made and family-owned business
- No oily residue
- Will protect leather as well as rejuvenate older leather
CONS
- No UV protection
- May darken some leather or bring out the natural inconsistencies in leather
- Some reports from consumers that it’s thick and sticky making it difficult to apply
- Not for use on suede, faux leather, and vinyl
RUNNER UP – Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner
Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner has been around since 1882 which lends a ton of credibility. It must be tough work to create a product that continues to do well in the market for so many years but Bickman seems to have a winning formula that makes this one of the best leather conditioners on the market.
It’s a great option if you’re concerned about using a leather conditioner that could change or darken the color of your leather because Bick 4 will NOT darken your leather products. This is a huge benefit because so many other conditioners can alter the appearance of leather.
Another key benefit of this conditioner is that its wax-free which may not seem like a big deal but this means that the pores won’t seal up and your leather will retain its softness and breathability.
Bick 4 Leather Conditioner can condition older, worn leather, and restore its appearance while also protecting newer leather so it maintains its soft new look.
Produced in the USA – another significant seller feature.
PROS
- Will not darken leather
- Does not leave a sticky residue
- Wax free
- Produced in the USA
- Safe for various leather including clothing, car and motorcycle seats, purses and exotic skins
- Repels stains
- Prevents leather from drying and cracking
- Easy to apply
- 100% customer satisfaction guarantee
CONS
- Not waterproof
- Not for use on suede, distressed, napped or pre-treated leather
- Some consumers complain about the smell
TOP PICK: FOR COVERING LARGE SURFACES
LEXOL All Leather Conditioner
LEXOL Leather Conditioner is well respected by consumers, and they have a true following.
Many leather conditioners leave a greasy residue but not LEXOL, and what’s even better is that it doesn’t contain silicone products that are known to dry out leather over time.
It can be used on all leather products including car seats, footwear, furniture, purses, luggage etc.. but ensure that you don’t apply it to suede, really soft leather, napped leather, or your favorite leather gloves.
What’s also great about LEXOL All Leather Conditioner is that it’s available in various sizes including a 1 Gallon jug which is fantastic if you have a variety of leather products that you need to condition regularly or large surfaces such as a large truck or your living room sofa and chairs.
PROS
- Various sizes including 1 Gallon jug
- Does not leave a greasy residue
- Does not contain silicone products or chemical solvents
- Prevents drying and cracking of leather
- Easy to apply
- Designed and formulated in the USA
- Can be used on leather or vinyl products
CONS
- Not for suede or extremely soft leather
- Not for napped leathers or glove leather
TOP PICK: CLEANER AND CONDITIONER CAR CARE KIT
Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner Care Kit
Chemical Guys are so well known throughout the automobile detailing industry that you can be sure their products will treat leather the way it should be treated to ensure the longevity and appearance of all your leather, not just your car’s interior.
With 1000s of reviews for the Chemical Guys Care Kit that includes the cleaner and conditioner, you can be sure that these products are well respected. In fact, consumers use these products for car seats but also for their jackets, boots, sneakers, furniture, etc…
The key selling feature about the Chemical Guys conditioner is that it’s pH balanced which means that it does an efficient job cleaning and it will preserve the leather’s strength, durability, and appearance.
You only need a little bit of conditioner and cleaner to restore or condition your leather which is a great benefit and will save you a bit of money. The fact that you only need a bit is fantastic but this kit comes with two 16 oz bottles which are a bit small if you have large surfaces to clean such as a large truck interior or your leather furniture set.
However, you will likely need to apply the conditioner a bit more often than other products such as Honey Leather.
Consumers report how well it works on cleaning leather seats that have been stained when other products have not worked. In fact, even where the dye from jeans has stained light-colored leather seats Chemical Guys cleaner has removed the stains.
PROS
- Products don’t leave any residue nor will they contribute to fiber deterioration
- Leather cleaner is pH balanced for the most efficient cleaning and preserves the leather’s strength, durability, and appearance
- Leather cleaner penetrates the pores of leather to lift and suspend dirt and oils
- Easy to apply
- Leather cleaner is colorless and odorless
- The leather conditioner has a subtle leather scent and contains Vitamin E that nourishes leather and helps reduce UV damage
CONS
- Small volume kit which may not be sufficient for large surfaces that require frequent application
- More frequent application required
TOP PICK: ALL-IN-ONE LEATHER CLEANER AND CONDITIONER
Weiman Leather Conditioner
This all-in-one leather cleaner, conditioner, and protector does a great job at both cleaning, moisturizing, and protecting leather. The large print on the label calls it a conditioner, but as supported by many consumers, the finer print calls it a 3-in1 clean product.
But the primary differentiator of Weiman’s product is that it has UV sun protection with a UVX of 15 which will help protect your leather from sun damage, fading, drying, and cracking. Not many other leather conditioners offer this.
And if you’re looking for an easy 1-step process that’s cost-effective, this is a great option.
While it’s typically recommended that you use at least a two-step process with a separate cleaner and conditioner, the Weiman Leather all-in-one product works well and consumers are happy with the results.
PROS
- UVX sunscreen protection
- All in one cleaner and conditioner
- Non-toxic
- Very reasonable price point – great value
- Can be used on leather that is pebbled, bonded, distressed, white (and any color), shoes, and watch bands, leather car seats, and furniture
- Does not leave a residue if fully buffed
CONS
- You might need to apply this a couple of times per month
- Will need to apply multiple times to dried out leather to restore it
- Can’t be used on vinyl
- Lemon scent which may not be appreciated by everyone
More Leather Conditioner, Cleaner and Protector Reviews
6 – KevianClean Complete Leather Cleaner And Conditioner
KevianClean, an all-in-one cleaner, and conditioner does a great job at cleaning, conditioning, and protecting leather. If you want a simple and easy process for cleaning and maintaining your leather products, KevianClean is definitely a great option.
Not only does it work for genuine leather but feel free to use it on vintage, vegan, vinyl, PU, bonded, patent, and fake/faux leathers.
It’s amazing that this product can be used on such a wide variety of leather and leather type products – not many other cleaner and conditioners work across such a range of surfaces and that truly does differentiate this KevianClean product. But keep in mind that it’s not recommended for lambskin, suede or unfinished leathers.
With so much focus on natural and biodegradable products these days, it’s nice to know that KevianClean’s proprietary Eco Friendly water-based formula uses high-grade organic, neutral pH-balanced biodegradable ingredients from real plants, which means it doesn’t contain silicone, and it’s not greasy or oily to touch.
And because it’s pH balanced, it’s not going to wear down the leather, instead, it will help preserve the quality, look and feel.
And what’s even better, is that it’s safe to use around children and pets.
PROS
- pH balanced
- No harsh or synthetic chemicals, no silicone
- No chemical smell
- Safe to use around your child and pet
- Okay to use on vintage, vegan, vinyl, PU, bonded, patent, and fake/faux leathers
- Made in the USA
CONS
- Can’t be used on lambskin, suede or unfinished leather
- Can help with tough ink marks but will likely take several applications to diminish or remove the mark completely
7 – Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Balm
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Balm claim to fame is that it truly does heal and restore leather that has been scratched, scarred, and dried out. So if you have an old, weathered leather chair that you hate to part with, Leather Milk Balm can likely help salvage it as long as the marks aren’t too deep.
It’s made of all natural, non-toxic ingredients although they don’t have the ingredient list on the packaging or on their website which is unfortunate.
It’s worth mentioning that in a Q&A forum, Chamberlain responds to a question about whether it’s made of coconut oil and while they say it has a hint of coconut aroma, not coconut oil, it does contain nut oils which could be problematic for those with nut allergies.
This is a conditioner but it’s really been designed to heal scratches and light cracks. It’s not going to completely repair and make all marks completely disappear but it will help repair them and hide them.
Most other conditioners are specifically for just conditioning, not repairing, which helps differentiate Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Balm.
But keep in mind that while it can be used on most leathers, it’s recommended that you don’t apply it on suede or really soft leathers.
PROS
- All-natural, non-toxic
- Made in the USA
- Great for repairing scratches and light cracks
- Easy to apply
- Restores older, worn leather
CONS
- Not for suede or really soft leathers
- Ingredients not on the label but Chamberlain states it uses nut oils which could be problematic for people with nut allergies
8 – TriNova Leather Cleaner
TriNova Leather Cleaner was developed to remove stains on leather and multiple other materials including dura-blend, vinyl, compound, saffiano, and faux leather.
Because it’s in a spray bottle, it’s super easy to use but the instructions do suggest that you spray it first onto a microfiber towel and then rub on your leather. This makes sense since many liquids tend to leave marks on leather if directly sprayed onto it.
It’s important to note that this is a true cleaner, not a conditioner like some of the other products we’re reviewing so remember to apply a proper conditioner afterwards to help with the longevity of your leather product.
Consumers rave about how well this product removes stains from leather including white leather and sunblock on stains. Other consumers rate TriNova Leather Cleaner way above other well-known leather cleaners.
PROS
- pH balanced to help maintain the longevity of your leather
- Safe for various materials including durablend, vinyl, compound, saffiano, faux leather
- Simple and easy to use
- Removes all types of stains including dirt, debris, stains and grim
- No harsh detergents and toxins
- 100% money back guarantee
CONS
- Not for suede or Nubuck
- Ingredients not on label
9 – Meguiar’s Gold Class Leather Cleaner + Conditioner
Meguiar’s Gold Class Leather Cleaner + Conditioner comes at an amazing price point that it’s hard to beat. If you’re looking for a really budget-friendly option that’s easy to use, Meguiar’s is at one of the lowest price points that I’ve seen for a quality leather conditioner that’s easy to apply.
Unlike many conditioners, it also provides UV protection which is so important if your car sits out in the sun or if you have leather shoes or purses, or a horse saddle that’s exposed regularly to UV rays.
The moisturizing oils and aloe help keep the leather looking new so leather doesn’t show its age as quickly.
While it does do some cleaning, it’s recommended that you use a leather cleaner before conditioning to get the best results for particularly dirty spots.
PROS
- Aloe and moisturizing oils for fantastic conditioning
- Helps to maintain the original look
- UV protection
- No residue
CONS
- Some consumers complain about the odour
10 – ArmorAll Leather Care Gel
ArmorAll is the household brand name that is so familiar and well-known for automobile surface cleaning and protection.
It’s also one of the cheapest leather conditioners on the market but it is liked by consumers.
Since it’s an all-in-one solution, there’s no need to line up the creams and spray bottles that require time to apply, dry, and apply some more.
AmorAll will clean dirt off leather and condition it so that the natural and original look and feel are restored. And because there’s a blocking agent, it will also help protect the leather from future spills and stains.
Like many other leather care products, ArmorAll can be used on most leathers but not on suede, buckskin, unfinished leather, or fabric. But feel free to apply on vinyl or rubber.
PROS
- All-in-one leather care product
- Cheap price point
- Removes dirt and soil
- Repels against spills, stains, cracking, fading
- Improved durability
- Conditions
- Okay on vinyl and rubber
CONS
- No UV sunscreen protection
- Small bottle
- Not okay for suede, buckskin, unfinished leather or fabric
LEATHER CLEANERS
Bickmore Bick 1 Leather Cleaner
Use Bickmore Bick 1 Leather Cleaner to get rid of dirt and stains from leather surfaces. It’s safe on both colored and white leather and won’t change the color by darkening or lightening the material.
BUY THIS IF:
You want to give all your leather products including your vehicle seats a good clean but want to be confident that the color won’t darken or lighten.
Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner
Another great product from Chemical Guys. Their leather cleaner is pH balanced and no residue left behind. Does a great job at cleaning and removing dirt, grease, and oils.
BUY THIS IF:
You already have a protectant and conditioner product but you want to ensure your leather surface is clean before using it or if you have major dirt, grease or oils to remove.
Leather Honey Leather Cleaner
This is the all-natural sister product, Leather Honey Leather Cleaner, to the infamous Leather Honey Leather Conditioner and it’s recommended that you clean your leather or vinyl surfaces with this before conditioning with Leather Honey Leather Conditioner. With the majority of reviews being positive, there are still some concerns from consumers so it’s likely a good idea to take a close look at their feedback.
BUY THIS IF:
If you want to clean and condition with products from the same product line, have leather or vinyl and are okay with using a concentrated formula that needs to be mixed with water before applying to leather or vinyl.
LEATHER PROTECTOR
Bickmore Gard-More Water & Stain Repellent
Bickmore Gard-More Water & Stain Repellent will add that extra level of protection on your leather vehicle seats. If you’re concerned about stains, apply this product to prevent water and dirt stains. Great for vehicle car seats that see a lot of use and abuse with exposure to water, grime, and dirt.
It’s okay to use this on suede, leather, and felt but don’t apply it to unfinished or rawhide leather.
BUY THIS IF:
You are concerned about finding a protectant that will keep your leather and suede protected from dirt or water damage.
Chemical Guys Leather Protectant Serum
The third step in maintaining your leather vehicle interior is to apply the Chemical Guys Leather Protectant. It’s a great way to protect your leather for long periods of time because you’ll only need to apply every 12-16 months.
BUY THIS IF:
You want a simple to apply protectant that you won’t need to use often.
The surfaces you need to protect are exposed frequently to the sun.
Chemical Guys Leather Quick Detailer
This chemical guys leather quick detailer will bring leather back to life and protect it from additional damage. It’s nice to use because there’s no greasy feeling and it has vitamin E and aloe which helps keep leather feeling soft as well as protected. It also has a great water repellent component.
BUY THIS IF:
You want a simple to use cleaner and conditioner spray that will eliminate the need to have multiple products to care for your leather surfaces.
CONDITIONER
Rejuvenate High-Performance Leather & Vinyl Conditioner
This is a rare find because Rejuvenate can be used to condition both leather and vinyl and it’s not often that a product is okay to use on both. Please note that this is not a cleaner so you’ll want to be sure that you use a cleaner first before applying this conditioner. And don’t use it on suede.
BUY THIS IF:
If you’re looking for an all-in-one product that will work well on your leather, vinyl, and faux leather surfaces.
Howard Leather Conditioner
Howard Leather Conditioner contains natural waxes that will help keep leather looking good and if you have some worn-out leather, it’ll do a good job at restoring it back to it’s a more natural condition and help prevent cracking.
And if you want a product with natural conditioning ingredients, you’ll like Howard Leather Conditioner because it includes lanolin, neatsfoot oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera along with various natural waxes including beeswax.
Not as high profile as other products but it does get some great reviews.
BUY THIS IF:
You like other Howard products and need a conditioner and protector at a great price point. Not for suede.
Leather Master Leather Protection Cream
This water-based leather protector gets fantastic reviews and is great for protecting your leather vehicle seats against oil stains and everyday soil. Made in the USA making this a great option.
BUY THIS IF:
If you are looking for a protectant that will give you a great bang for your buck.
ALL-IN-ONE
303 Leather Cleaner, Conditioner + Protector
The 303 Leather Cleaner, Conditioner + Protector comes at a great price point and makes taking care of your leather surfaces very simple.
It’ll work on a variety of leather or vinyl surfaces which makes it a handy product to have on hand. And since it works on various products, you won’t need to spend as much money on having multiple solutions to care for your leather.
BUY THIS IF:
If you are looking for a protectant that will give you a great bang for your buck.
LEXOL 3 in 1 Leather Care Spray
This 3 in 1 leather spray is great for removing dirt from leather, conditions, and protects as well so you really only need one bottle instead of an assembly line of bottles to get the job done.
BUY THIS IF:
You want a simple to apply leather cleaner, conditioner, and protector that has UV protection.
LEATHER BALMS
Paul’s Pail All Natural Beeswax Leather Conditioner
Paul’s Pail gets great reviews and although there aren’t quite as many reviewers as you’ll find with some of the other top products, the consumers are happy.
BUY THIS IF:
You want an all-in-one product for leather conditioning, restoring, softening and protection that doesn’t have chemicals, dyes, perfumes, petroleum, or adulterants – in other words, it’s nontoxic. Or, if you need a water-resistant product.
Meguiar’s Ultimate Leather Balm – Clean, Condition & Protect Your Leather
Another great option if you are looking for an all-in-one product for your leather. The label does state all-natural but the ingredient list includes petroleum distillates – something to be aware of.
BUY THIS IF:
You want an all-in-one product with UV protection, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil but you’re okay with petroleum distillates thrown in.
Leather Preservatives
Bickmore Bick Heavy Duty Leather Preservative
This balm is another great option from the line-up of Bickmore leather products.
Apply it to leather products that take abuse so you can protect against water, excessive heat, caustic chemicals, petroleum acids, salt, and dirt. And the natural waxes and oils protect the leather from premature wear and protect against scuffs, abrasions, mold, mildew, and bacteria.
BUY THIS IF:
You have a vehicle that sees a lot of abuse and you want to give it some hope for the future.
Obenauf Heavy Duty Leather Preservative
This leather preservative comes in a balm and was originally developed by a firefighter to help protect leather against fire retardant chemicals, heat, water, and abrasion.
Such an interesting product because it contains tree resins that are used by honey bees to weatherproof and disinfect their hives.
BUY THIS IF:
You want to protect your car’s leather seats with a heavy-duty product that is tried and tested. And it’s kinda cool to think that you’re using a solution that was invented by honey bees.
Leather Conditioner and Cleaner Buyer’s Guide
What Is Leather Cleaner and Why do you need it?
A leather cleaner is a product that is specifically formulated to remove dirt and stains.
Leather is durable but it still attracts dirt, grime, and oils and since it’s durable, many car manufacturers use it on car seats and interiors.
But over time, regular use will cause your leather seats to get dirty and no doubt stains will appear. In particular, it’s common for head rests to show stains from the oils from hair and scalp and for the car seat bottoms to show stains (often ink stains from jeans).
In order to keep your car seats looking fresh and clean, it’s recommended that a leather cleaner is used to remove the dirt and stains. Doing this regularly or as soon as possible for bad stains, will help keep your leather car interior looking fresh.
What Is Leather Conditioner And Why Do You Need It?
Leather is a natural material and therefore requires frequent hydration to retain it’s softness. In fact, exposure to long periods of low relative humidities (below 40%) can cause leather to become desiccated, irreversibly changing the fibrous structure of the leather.
When leather goes untreated, it can dry out, become brittle, and can crack. In addition, the natural fibers of leather break down with the passage of time.
For these reasons, it’s recommended that a conditioner be applied to leather car interiors, in particular car seats, in order to help the leather stay hydrated and prevent it from drying out.
Types of Leather Cleaners
There are many types of leather and various types of leather cleaners, each formulated for a specific type of leather.
It’s important to know what type of leather you want to clean, condition and protect because not all products can be applied on all types of leather.
Here are the 3 most common types of leather cleaners:
1. Pigmented smooth leather cleaner
Most vehicle seats are made of pigmented leather which is also typically water-resistant. The cleaners that are best for pigmented leather are generally considered all-around cleaners.
2. Aniline leather cleaner
This is a high-end leather with a rich look and feel that is much harder to maintain and more likely to collect dirt and grime. The cleaners that are best for aniline leather also contain a protective sealant to help protect the leather in between cleaning.
3. Nubuck leather cleaner
This is a high-end leather known as suede or full aniline but is easier to maintain. The cleaners are formulated to work on nubuck and will contain a protective sealant.
4 Benefits of Using A Leather Cleaner, Conditioner and Protector
Here are 4 key benefits to using a cleaner, conditioner and protector:
- Using a cleaner, conditioner and protector will go a long way to keeping your leather car seats and interior looking brand new.
- A cleaner will help you remove stains but will also help to remove the less noticeable grime that builds up over time and starts to cause the leather to wear down and not look as good as it once did. This is common with headrests where the oil from hair and scalps builds up.
- Applying a protector will help repel water, liquids, marks, and prevent dry-out from UV. While a pen mark will still leave a mark, if you’ve applied a protector, it should be easier to remove that ink mark (if you have a good stain remover/cleaner)
- Applying a conditioner will help nourish the leather and keep it moisturized so that it maintains it’s ‘good as new look’. It can also help nourish worn, dry leather and help restore its look.
10 Things To Consider When Buying A Leather Cleaner And Conditioner
- Look for a pH balanced product for cleaning, protecting, and conditioning. A pH balanced product should have a formula that will not alter the look of your leather. Before you apply any product, remember to try the product on an inconspicuous area that is large enough to determine if it’s altering the color of the leather but be sure you aren’t applying it in a noticeable spot or you will be forever reminded of the discoloration, if it does happen.
- Keep in mind that the more expensive products are typically pH balanced but these products are not unreasonably priced but well worth the investment.
- Check the ingredients label to determine what products the manufacturer has included. Some products claim to be all-natural but you really only know if this is the case by reading the label. If you want to know more about an ingredient, go to the manufacturer website and they will likely have a spec sheet with the ingredients and what purpose they serve.
- Some products also include nut oils, coconut oil, and aloe. Again, check the label to be sure. If you’re concerned about nut allergies, you’ll likely want to stay away from products with these ingredients (but check with your doctor if you aren’t sure)
- Sometimes a leather cleaner and conditioner will come as a kit because the manufacturer has created these 2 products to complement and work together. However, in my research, I’ve noticed that the cleaner and the conditioner don’t always get equal praise. In other words, have a quick look at the individual reviews of both cleaner and conditioner before buying ‘the kit’ to be sure both products will work well.
- Some leather conditioners can alter the color or appearance of leather. Some products such as the Bickman Bick 4, state that it will not darken and the reviews support this claim. Other products don’t make this claim and it’s always helpful to read the reviews.
- Leather cleaner usually comes in a liquid form and in some cases, it needs to be diluted with water. In this case, you typically get a lot of bang for your buck but if you’re not interested in having to do this prep work, then you won’t want the concentrated liquid.
- Leather conditioners can come in a liquid or balm. Both work and it just depends on your preference. With the balm, you’ll likely want to put the balm in your hand which will soften it and make it easy to apply. If you don’t want to get the balm on your hands, you’ll want to stick to the liquid.
- Be sure that you know what type of leather you want to protect. In most cases, leather car seats are made of pigmented leather and most cleaners will be okay on this type of leather surface. However, if you want to clean or protect your leather sofa, leather purse, or leather coat, be sure that you know what kind of leather it is. I’ve seen reviews from various people who report that a product has ruined their leather but I also wonder whether they used the correct product and did they read the instructions?
- Look for products that will work best for you and your lifestyle. Some people are okay with a more involved process for maintaining the leather in their cars but many people want a simple process that is easy and can be completed frequently and quickly.
As discussed earlier, there are some all-in-one products that work quite well, are easy to use and quick.
How to Clean Car Leather Interiors
Regularly taking care of your leather car seats will help them maintain their soft, supple, new appearance. Here are a few tips to consider before using a leather cleaner:
Vacuum the car seats to ensure that all crumbs and debris are removed.
Test any cleaner that you are going to use in an inconspicuous spot to be sure that the cleaner isn’t going to change the color or appearance of the leather.
When choosing a cleaning product, read the manufacturer instructions so you understand the proper way to use the product for best results.
Choose a product that will work best for you. Cleaners come in liquid, either concentrated or diluted and sometimes they are available in a spray bottle or a pour bottle. Be sure that you know which one you are buying so you can use it correctly.
Some products need to be applied to a cloth first and then applied on the leather surface. Other products can be applied directly to the leather surface. Reading the instructions will help ensure that you apply it correctly because if not done correctly, the cleaner can stain the leather.
How To Protect Car Leather
Once you’ve cleaned your leather car seats, it’s time to protect them so that they maintain their best look and are more resilient to wear and tear.
By applying a protectant, you help to protect your leather car seats from water, moisture, UV rays, and other potential stains.
Cleaning and protecting your car’s leather car seats is a big job but what’s just as important is cleaning your child’s booster seat or child’s car seat. Here are some helpful hints from the AMA.