13 Best Leather Cleaners And Conditioners – Top Picks Of 2024
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If you love leather accessories, be it leather furniture, leather bags, or shoes, then you must be aware that leather can get damaged easily due to environmental elements. Leather often suffers dullness, scratches, and cracks with time. To maintain all your leather accessories correctly, you need the best leather conditioners. When you spend so much money to buy your favorite piece of leather, you would not want to see it losing its luster due to aging. A leather conditioner works like a magic potion to reverse and delay the aging process of your favorite leather product. Regular conditioning improves its appearance and helps it to last longer.
For those who love investing in leather accessories, using a leather conditioner is an absolute mandate. Be it your leather boots, watch strap, bags, or even furniture, this product will make them look new and rich. As there are quite a few options available out there, in this post, we have rounded up the 13 best leather conditioners that will make you fall in love with your favorite leather accessories all over again. So read on to explore the list and make your best pick!
[table “5223” not found /]What Does Leather Conditioner Do To Leather?
Leather conditioners basically help keep leather looking as soft, smooth, and healthy as they look right after the tanning process. Leather conditioners are made from oils, wax, lipids, and other nourishing ingredients that penetrate deep into the leather material and reach the fibers to strengthen them and prevent the leather from cracking or getting dry. Most leather conditioners are also formulated for regular conditioning to protect the leather from environmental elements such as UV rays, rain and water, stains, and extreme temperatures in order to prevent it from going dull and fading prematurely. And so, a leather conditioner is absolutely needed when you own leather accessories.
13 Best Leather Conditioners That Make Leather Last Longer
1. Best Overall:Leather Honey Leather Conditioner
The Leather Honey Leather Conditioner for boots, bags, furniture among other leather goods helps rejuvenate old and dry leather to add life to it. The liquid formula penetrates deep into the leather and has the advantage of being non-sticky, which makes it easier to work with it. All you need is a quarter-size drop of this conditioner to coat your leather with a thin and even layer. This leather conditioner is ideal to use at room temperature or can even be slightly heated before being used. Just pour a few drops of the conditioner onto a lint-free cloth and wipe it over your leather-made accessory or furniture. Each application of the Leather Honey Leather Conditioner lasts 6 months, ensuring your leather shoes, bags, belts last forever.
Pros
- Non toxic
- Non sticky
- Odorless
- Free of silicone
- Free of animal products
- Free of solvents
Cons
- The consistency may feel too thick to spread.
Quick Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 45,222 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.
2. Easy To Use:Obenauf’s Heavy Duty Leather Preservative
Coming from a trusted brand that Obenauf’s is, the Heavy-Duty Leather Preservative is formulated with real beeswax and plant oils that give it a nice creamy consistency, making it extremely easy to work with. You will notice the cream melting to evenly spread on the leather surface as you apply it to your leather belongings. This natural leather conditioner prepares your leather boots to resist chemicals, salts, petroleum, and acids, and it also makes them waterproof. This blend of oil also proves to be a blessing for sun-faded saddles, holsters, chaps, and boots made out of leather. Give this leather conditioner for bags and boots a try and watch your leather accessories resist stitch tears, premature cracking, and scuffing.
Pros
- Waterproofs leather
- Resists acids and chemicals
- Restores sun-faded leather
- Helps leather resist scuffing
- Prevent premature cracking of leather
Cons
- May not be suitable for perforated leather seats
3. Best Durable:Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner, Conditioner, Protectant
This powerful leather conditioner spray not only conditions leather, it also cleans and protects your leather bags, boots, and just about anything from premature aging, damage from UV rays, and cracking as well as fading. This non-greasy, non-whitening formula also cleans your leather goods to remove dirt and grime. It is enriched with aloe, which is an amazing natural conditioning agent, and so this leather conditioner for jackets, boots, and bags keeps them soft, supple, and as good as new. This 3-in-1 Gold Class leather conditioner deserves brownie points for being formulated with non-hazardous ingredients, and it comes in a convenient spray bottle which makes it extremely easy to use for regular cleaning.
Pros
- 3-in-1 action
- Removes dirt and grime
- Offers UV protection
- Non-greasy formula
- Does not leave behind a white residue
- Helps prevent premature aging
Cons
- May add a little shine to the leather surface
4. Best Affordable:Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner
If you’re specifically looking for the best leather conditioner for plush leather seats, this product from the Chemical Guys has to be your first choice. However, you can also expect this top-rated leather conditioner to work its magic on leather-made shifter knobs, steering wheel, furniture, etc. Made from refined water-based formula and infused with vitamin E and aloe, it does a great job at softening your leather car seats to give them that soft-to-the-touch feel while making them look and smell like brand new leather. If you have faux leather car seats or want to get rid of stains from faux leather surfaces, you can totally count on this leather conditioner. Use this product from time to time and your leather products won’t crack, fade, or discolor.
Pros
- Removes light stains
- Softens leather
- Suitable for faux leather
- Offers UV protection
Cons
- Some may not like the smell of the product.
5. Best For Instant Results:Lexol All Leather Conditioner
Formulated by a brand that is well-known among detailing professionals and auto restorers alike, the Lexol All Leather Conditioner helps extend the life of both new and old leather. It works to restore the natural oils used during the leather tanning process. Whether it is the leather furniture at your house, car seats, or leather-based accessories such as bags and shoes, this fantastic conditioning treatment cares for them by preventing premature cracks from heat, sunlight, and humidity. With all its amazing ingredients, your leather products will look brand new when you use the conditioner on a regular basis or ocassionally for deep cleaning purposes.
Pros
- Absorbs easily
- Easy to use
- Quick-acting formula
- Does not leave behind a greasy residue
- Works for all leather products
Cons
- Does not remove stains from the surface
6. Best Pleasant Smell:Chamberlain’s Leather Milk – Leather Care Liniment
This tried and tested formula from Chamberlain’s Leather Milk helps breathe back life into dull, dry, and scratched leather. Made from all-natural ingredients sans chemicals, it has a pleasant smell to it. It is infused with a blend of oils that naturally strengthen the leather and nourish it so that your leather accessories, car seats, or any other products stay conditioned. It is carefully created to have a consistency that makes this leather conditioner extremely easy to apply to the leather surface. The formula also works on leather without making the surface look sticky or greasy. As a plus, you also get one free applicator pad that you can use to clean and conditioner your leather product with the Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Leather Care Liniment.
Pros
- All-natural leather conditioner
- Chemical-free
- Doesn’t leave behind a bad smell
- Non-sticky formula
- Fixes scratches
Cons
- May darken the color of very light leather products
Pro Tip7. Best Wax-Free Formula:Cadillac Boot & Shoe Leather Lotion
Extend the life of your leather boots and bags with this wax-free Boot & Shoe Leather Lotion by Cadillac. Leather boots generally develop water spots over time, and you can easily get rid of such stains using the Cadillac leather conditioner to enhance its overall look. What makes this one of the best leather conditioners is that it is extremely versatile and can also be used for belts, wallets, sofas, coats, and car upholstery made from leather. Besides that, you can also use this effective formula for other types of exotic skins such as elephant, crocodile, snake, and ostrich, among others. And since it is formulated without wax, you don’t have to worry about the leather turning hard.
Pros
- Removes water spots
- Prevents leather from cracking
- Works on reptile skins
- Wax-free formula
Cons
- Not suitable for suede
8. Best Multipurpose:TriNova Leather Cleaner And Conditioner
The TriNova Leather Cleaner And Conditioner works effectively to keep your treasured leather items in good shape. With a powerful dual-action formula not only conditions but also cleans leather products such as wallets, shoes, bags, jackets, furniture, and much more. It enriches the fibers of your leather item with its water-resistant formulation to make it soft and supple. The liquid formula comprises potent ingredients that moisturize the leather surface and keep it safe from UV rays while also restoring the color of faded leather. All you need to do is shake the bottle, wipe the leather surface down with a microfiber cloth, and apply the conditioner to the leather surface with the free applicator pad and wait for 30 minutes. You can use it for deep cleaning to prevent your leather product from being damaged due to premature aging, cracking, or drying.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Helps clean vinyl surface
- Reduces stains
- Protects leather from UV rays
- Comes with a complimentary applicator pad
Cons
- May not restore scratched leather
9. Best Travel-Friendly:Bickmore Neatsfoot Oil Leather Conditioner
Neatsfoot oil is one of the most effective natural conditioners for leather, and what could be better than a neatsfoot oil conditioner coming from a trusted brand that has been around since 1882? The Bickmore Neatsfoot Oil Leather Conditioner is a gentle cleanser that moisturizes and lubricates the leather surface to soften it and extend its life. It also keeps leather products safe from environmental elements and repels water. You can use it for all kinds of leather products, however, since it is known to darken the color of leather, it is recommended to use it for products that are already quite dark in color. Apply a thin layer of this fantastic conditioning treatment to the leather surface, wait for the oil to be absorbed, and wipe off any excess. Voila! Your leather product will shine like new!
Pros
- Made from 100% neatsfoot oil
- Moisturizes leather surface
- Naturally repels water
- Free of added petroleum distillates
Cons
- May darken the color of your leather
10. Best pH-Balanced Formula:KevianClean Leather Cleaner & Conditioner
Made from plant-based ingredients, this organic automotive leather conditioner from KevianClean is one of the best leather conditioners if you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to conventional leather conditioners. It is formulated to be pH-balanced and is free of masks and dyes. And so, it does not alter the color of your leather products and nourishes and cares for them while retaining the true color of the product. You can use it for automotive leather upholstery, car seats, your furniture, or even leather accessories such as bags and belts. Say goodbye to premature cracking and drying of your leather items as you use this premium distressed leather conditioner on a regular basis in your conditioning routine.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Made from plant-based ingredients
- pH-balanced formula
- Prevents drying and cracking
- Smooth and creamy application
Cons
- May not offer long-lasting results
11. Best For Simulated Leather:Apple Leather Care Leather Conditioner
One of the downsides of using most leather conditioners for light colored leather is that they tend to darken the leather. However, you don’t have to worry about that when you use the Apple Leather Care Leather Conditioner. Formulated wax free, this conditioner is an amazing choice for finished, naked, exotic, and simulated leathers. What makes it an easy choice is that it does not leave behind an oily residue and applies effortlessly. Not only does it clean and condition leather, but this effective formula also preserves its smoothness without compromising its breathability. Suitable for almost all leather products, you can confidently pick this bottle of exotic leather conditioner for your bags, shoes, belts, wallets, car seats, and even sofas and couches.
Pros
- Wax-free formula
- Works on simulated leathers
- Safe to use on light colored leathers
- Does not leave behind a residue
Cons
- May not offer long-lasting moisturization
12. Best For Reviving Dry Leather:Howard Leather Conditioner
If you’re looking for an extremely nourishing formulation that deeply conditions your leather items, this has to be the best cream conditioner for leather. Concocted with lanolin, neatsfoot oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera, this leather conditioner not only conditions but also revives dried out leather to soften and smoothen it. It is also formulated with natural waxes such as Brazilian carnauba wax and beeswax, making your conditioning routine easier. With all these effective natural ingredients, it has a creamy consistency that is easy to apply, and it penetrates deep into the leather fibers, offering maximum protection from premature aging. And since it is not sticky or greasy, applying it to the surface of the leather item feels like a breeze.
Pros
- Helps leather resist cracking
- Free of harmful solvents
- Free of silicones
- Formulated with natural conditioning agents
Cons
- Not meant for suede or nubuck
13. Best Chemical-Free:Aged Leather Pros Leather Conditioner
This non-toxic leather conditioner is a buttery blend of beeswax and naturally-occurring oils and lipids that helps restore the health of your leather items and prolong their life. This handmade conditioner for leather products is made in small batches that helps ensure top notch quality. Made from natural and non-toxic ingredients, it is free of the many questionable ingredients such as silicones, petroleum, and dyes that may adulterate and deteriorate the quality of the leather conditioner. All you need to do is— clean the surface of the leather that you intend to condition, apply a little bit of the product on your fingers or a lint-free cloth, and rub it in circular motions on the leather surface. Give it about an hour to dry and you can even apply a few more layers if needed.
Pros
- All natural leather conditioner
- Handmade
- Free of dyes and petroleum
- Silicone-free
- Safe for pets and kids
Cons
- May not moisturize leather
How To Choose The Best Leather Conditioner
- Leather material to be conditioned
The type of leather conditioner you opt for primarily depends on the type of leather you aim to condition. While some leather items such as bags, belts, wallets, jackets, gloves, and boots are made from suede, some may have a smooth leather finish. However, so many leather conditioners that work amazing on smooth leather are not at all meant for suede or even exotic leather materials such as crocodile, lizard, or ostrich skin. Therefore, it is crucial to check the label of the product and see if it is meant for the type of leather that you intend to clean, condition, and restore. Cleaning experts opine that the use of the wrong kind of leather conditioner on your product may end up doing more harm than good.
- Form of conditioner
While this aspect is more about convenience, it does make sense to keep the form of the conditioner in mind because you will be using the leather conditioner on a regular basis. Leather conditioners are commonly creamy in consistency and they can be easily applied to the leather surface using either an applicator pad or fingers. However, if that’s not your preference, you can also invest in conditioner sprays. Leather conditioner sprays are ideal for larger leather-based products such as car seats, sofas and couches, etc. because cream-based conditioners will take you more time and effort. However, sprays remove that hassle and make conditioning the leather a quick and easy process. Heavier leather conditioners are favorable for work boots or saddlery.
For delicate products made from colored or unfinished leather or aniline and semi-aniline leather, it is best to use conditioner milk such as Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Conditioner and Cleaner. These conditioners are gentler alternatives that don’t change the color of your leather product and penetrate deep into the fibers to condition it.
- Ingredients
One of the best ways to ensure that your leather conditioner does not contain any toxic ingredients is to buy the conditioner from a trusted brand. Conditioners made from questionable ingredients may irritate your skin, especially when you use it for your furniture, bags, jackets, etc. and may even deteriorate the quality of your leather product over time.
- pH-balanced
While most of us wouldn’t consider pH of the leather conditioner an important factor to keep in mind, the pH level of your leather conditioner has to be balanced because if not, it might end up darkening the color of the leather and may even cause hardness, brittleness, and loss of strength in the long run, which is exactly the opposite of what you would want to achieve. And in case a leather conditioner does not indicate pH level, you can perform a spot test and check before you use the product on your leather item.
The key to extending the life of your leather item is to use the leather conditioner that you purchase the right way. While every product may come with indications as to how exactly you should use it, it is more or less a similar process for almost all leather conditioners. Here’s a brief yet useful guide on how to use a leather conditioner to derive maximum benefits out of it.
How To Use A Leather Conditioner
- Step 1: Clean the leather surface thoroughly using a cloth to get rid of any stains, dirt, or dust.
- Step 2: Take an appropriate amount of the leather conditioner and apply it to the surface of the leather either using your fingers, an applicator pad, or simply a lint-free cloth. Make sure that you apply an even coating.
- Step 3: Wait for about 30 minutes to an hour as indicated by the brand. Once the leather conditioner dries, you can wipe off the excess using a cloth.
- Step 4: If needed, you can also follow that up with a 1 or 2 more layers for the desired results.
Leather accessories and products add a touch of elegance to the outfit you wear, your interiors, and to your car. It could be anything, a touch of leather can totally transform the look of it. However, leather products require a bit of TLC during your regular cleaning schedule. And when you pay so much for a product, you would naturally want to extend its life and take proper care. And so, a good leather conditioner is more of a necessity than a luxury. We hope that our list of the 13 best leather conditioners from the most trusted brands makes it easy for you to pick one for your precious leather item so it lasts you forever.
Infographic: Mistakes To Avoid When Conditioning Leather
Leather accessories need proper maintenance to retain their shine for a long time. A good conditioner is essential to prevent the leather surface from cracking up and drying out. Check out the infographic below to learn about some common conditioning mistakes that you must avoid to maintain the original luster of your leather items.
Illustration: The Bridal Box Design Team
The Bottom Line
Leather accessories like boots, belts, bags, and furniture require a lot of care as environmental conditions can cause dullness and cracks on them. They need proper maintenance to keep their shine and glamor intact. That is why you need to invest in the best leather cleaners and conditioners to stop your leather objects from aging. You can opt for the Leather Honey Leather Conditioner which penetrates deep for non-sticky conditioning of leather products, the Obenauf’s Heavy Duty Leather Preservative which has a smooth texture and prevents leather from cracking and scuffing, or the Chamberlain’s Leather Milk – Leather Care Liniment which imparts natural nourishment and strength to leather. These leather conditioners are made of ingredients like oils, wax, and lipids that strengthen the leather fabric. They are easy to use, non-toxic, and restore the product’s natural shine. However, some products may have a pungent smell and darken the leather. Consider factors like ingredients, form, and material before investing in one of these products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does leather conditioner work on fake leather?
While certain types of leather conditioners from certain brands may be suitable to use on fake leather, not all of them may help condition faux leather. It is recommended to always check the label of the conditioner and see what it is suitable to use for.
When should you apply leather conditioner?
While you can leave your leather product unconditioned for a year from when you buy it, when you finally start conditioning your leather product, you might want to repeat the process every month to keep the leather looking healthy, moisturized, and free of scratches and cracks. If you’re confused about when to start conditioning, you can start when the leather starts appearing duller than normal.
How often does leather need to be conditioned?
Leather should ideally be conditioned once a month. However, it depends a great deal on the type of leather conditioner you use and how long-lasting the results are. Some of the leather conditioners even offer outcomes that last up to 6 months to a year.
How long does leather conditioner last?
This totally depends on the size or volume of the bottle of leather conditioner that you purchase, the surface area of the leather that you decide to coat, and the number of layers you coat each time. However, each layer of the product can be a thin coating. And if you use the conditioner from tiny accessories such as a bag, boots, or belts and wallets, it might last you over a year.
Can leather conditioner fix dried-out or worn seats?
Yes. Leather conditioners contain nourishing ingredients that penetrate dried-out or worn seats and partially restore their shine and texture.
Can you use leather conditioners on vinyl and plastics?
Yes. Leather conditioners are safe to use on vinyl leather and plastics.
Does leather conditioner permanently darken leather?
No. Although leather conditioners darken the leather for some time, the color reverses to its original shade once the leather dries.
Does the leather conditioner remove scratches?
Yes. Leather conditioners are effective in removing light scratches from the leather surface.
What happens if you do not condition the leather?
If you do not condition the leather, signs of dryness, like cracks and scratches, may develop on the surface. In addition, the material may also turn brittle.
Is coconut oil a good leather conditioner?
Yes. Coconut oil softens the leather, increases its sheen, and creates a thin layer of protection on the leather surface.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Priyam Gupta, is a makeup and fashion enthusiast and a big fan of leather accessories, be it boots, bags, watch straps, and even furniture. This list of the best leather cleaners and conditioners has been compiled following hours of research and thorough analysis of the online reviews. These products penetrate deep into the leather and strengthen the fibers to prevent cracking.
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