The Best Leather Cleaners for a Shiny Sofa, Car Interior, and More

Our favorite is the Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Set

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Best Leather Cleaners

The Spruce / Lecia Landis

Leather furniture and goods are expensive, so it's important to clean them with quality products. Caring for your leather items properly can prolong their life and keep them looking and performing their best. We researched the top-reviewed leather cleaners and compiled a list of our favorites. These leather cleaners are easy and convenient to use, condition leather without impacting the finish or color, and are affordable.

Below, find the best leather cleaners for everything from furniture to shoes.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Complete Leather Care Kit

Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Complete Leather Care Kit

Amazon

What We Like
  • Conditioner contains Vitamin E

  • Only need to use a little bit

  • Cleaner works into a visible lather

  • Formula is pH balanced

What We Don't Like
  • Application tools sold separately

  • Requires two steps

There are several great leather care products and kits from the Chemical Guys, and their leather cleaner and conditioner kit gets top marks from us due to its excellent performance, ease of use, and handy packaging. The kit comes with two formulas: one for cleaning and one for conditioning. Once you've cleaned your leather item, switch to the conditioning solution. After that, your leather should look as good as new. You also have the option to use only the cleaner or conditioner, based on your current needs.

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.

Price at time of publish: $27

Type: Spray/liquid︱Amount: 32 ounces (16 ounces each)︱Conditioner: Yes︱UV Protectant: Yes

Best Budget

Weiman Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Spray

Weiman Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Spray

Amazon

What We Like
  • 2-in-1 combo

  • UV protection

  • Convenient spray

What We Don't Like
  • Not great for heavily soiled leather

  • Requires wiping and buffing

For an outstanding balance of price and performance, consider the Weiman Leather Cleaner and Conditioner. This spray product does the job of cleaning and conditioning your leather goods in one go. It is a top performer, and it's affordable—which we love.

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.

Price at time of publish: $19

Type: Spray︱Amount: 11 ounces︱Conditioner: Yes︱UV Protectant: Yes

Best Cleaner

Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner for Car Interiors

Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner for Car Interiors

Amazon

What We Like
  • Extremely effective

  • Great for heavy soil levels

  • Long-lasting

  • Colorless and odorless

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Application tools required

If you want the best leather cleaner available, go with the Chemical Guys Colorless and Odorless Leather Cleaner. This is the same leather cleaner from our top overall pick, sold on its own. We love it so much that we had to include it twice on our list.

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.

Price at time of publish: $11

Type: Spray︱Amount: 16 ounces︱Conditioner: No︱UV Protectant: No

Best Conditioner

Leather Honey Leather Conditioner

Leather Honey Leather Conditioner

Amazon

What We Like
  • Odorless

  • Works for new or old leather

  • A little bit goes a long way

What We Don't Like
  • Requires extra application cloth

  • No UV protection

True to its name, Leather Honey Leather Conditioner glides on smoothly and brings your leather back to its former glory. Leather Honey has been made and sold in the U.S. since 1968. With over 50 years of leather cleaning knowledge behind them, the company is one of the oldest and most trusted on our list.

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.

Price at time of publish: $28

Type: Liquid︱Amount: 8 ounces︱Conditioner: Yes︱UV Protectant: No

What Our Editors Say

"After buying a well-loved West Elm leather couch on Craigslist, I knew I needed to do something to bring its cracked surfaces back to life. Leather Honey's leather conditioner was truly a game-changer. It was as if the couch just drank up this conditioner like a cool glass of water. Its formula is gentle and powerful at the same time, and while it took a little elbow grease to apply, the result was worth the effort."—Erin Johnson, Commerce Editor

Best Wipes

Armor All Car Interior Cleaner Leather Wipes

Armor All Car Interior Cleaner Leather Wipes

Walmart

What We Like
  • Convenient for travel

  • No application materials needed

  • Gets most surface dirt out

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Easy to waste extra wipes

Armor All is known for its automotive care products, but these leather cleaner wipes can be used on all sorts of leather items, from car seats to couches. The handy wipe dispenser makes them ideal for travel and car application, but you can use them in your home, as well. To use, just wipe down your leather surface. No extra application materials needed!

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.

Price at time of publish: $39

Type: Wipes︱Amount: 20 wipes︱Conditioner: Yes︱UV Protectant: No

Best Combo

Weiman 8 oz. 3-in-1 Deep Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Cream

Weiman 8 oz. 3-in-1 Deep Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Cream

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy application

  • Safe for treated leather

  • Also works on shoes and handbags

What We Don't Like
  • No UV protection

Want a product that can clean and condition your leather without going through multiple steps of a complicated application? Then the Weiman 3-in-1 Deep Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Cream is the product for you. When applying the cream, we recommend putting it on a lint-free cloth and working it into the leather surface. It is safe for treated leather, so you can use it to clean your leather shoes, car seats, handbags, and other leather items.

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.

Price at time of publish: $13

Type: Liquid︱Amount: 8 ounces︱Conditioner: Yes︱UV Protectant: No

Best Kit

Lexol Complete Two-Step Leather Regimen

Lexol Complete Two-Step Leather Regimen

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy application

  • Includes all application materials

What We Don't Like
  • A little expensive

The Lexol Leather Care Kit comes with everything that you need to clean and condition your leather, including application materials for both products. The kit includes a cleaner, conditioner, and two application sponges. You can even use the cap to dispense just the right amount of product.

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.

Price at time of publish: $16

Type: Liquid︱Amount: 33.8 ounces (16.9 each)︱Conditioner: Yes︱UV Protectant: No

Best for Spot Cleaning

Chemical Guys Leather Quick Detailer

Chemical Guys SPI21616 Leather Quick Detailer

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy application

  • Great for small messes

  • Only need a cloth for application

  • No drying time

What We Don't Like
  • Not great for deep cleaning

  • Doesn’t condition

This handy spray bottle is convenient and works on just about any leather surface. It can even clean pleather and faux leather items. The Chemical Guys Leather Quick Detailer comes in a small spray bottle that you can apply directly to the leather surface. After spraying, it is dry to the touch. On top of that, it doesn’t require any extra materials for application. Just spray it and wipe it into the surface with a cloth. It’s small enough to keep in the car or hall closet, so you can quickly address messes as they occur.

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.

Price at time of publish: $10

Type: Spray︱Amount: 4 ounces︱Conditioner: Yes︱UV Protectant: Not listed

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner. In fact, we feature several Chemical Guys products on our list because they work well, last for a long time, and are highly effective. The leather cleaner and conditioner pair includes two of their top-selling products to get new or seasoned leather in great shape. Our budget pick, Weiman Leather Cleaner and Conditioner, is easy to apply and takes care of both cleaning and conditioning in one application.

What to Look for in a Leather Cleaner

Type

Leather cleaner is available in wipe, spray, and liquid form. The best option for you will depend on where and how you want to use the cleaner. Sprays are often easier to apply but can overspray on unwanted areas, resulting in extra cleanup. Liquids require more effort to apply and buff out, but they do offer the most precise application and are often great for conditioning. Wipes are expensive and result in a lot of waste, but they work well for travel and on-the-go application.

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.

FAQ
  • How do you use a leather cleaner?

    Apply the cleaner to the leather surface, work it into the leather, and wipe any excess away. If you are using a spray bottle or wipes, the application process will vary. Always consult the manufacturer's instructions.

    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.

  • How often should you use leather cleaner?

    Experienced cleaning professional Arryn Wilmington recommends cleaning your leather surfaces every two to three months. “Periodic cleaning, even before you notice dirt building up, helps keep your items more supple and they will last longer.” If you see visible dirt, take time to do a deep cleaning before moving to the conditioning step. Light-colored leather may require more frequent cleaning since it tends to show dirt faster. If you spill something on your leather furniture or in your car, wipe it up, and clean it right away.

  • Can you use leather cleaner on faux leather?

    You can use some leather cleaners on faux leather, including the Chemical Guys Leather Quick Detailer on our list. Check your product's instructions before you use it on an alternate surface. Generally, leather cleaners that penetrate deep into the leather’s surface aren’t the best options for faux leather. Instead, try an all-purpose cleaner or warm water and soap.

  • Can you get leather couches professionally cleaned?

    Yes, you can get your leather couches professionally cleaned. Look for a cleaning company that knows how to clean and treat leather. It is also a good idea to ask them what products and methods they use to make sure that they are using something suited for leather. Some cleaning companies will use your preferred products, although they may ask you to supply them.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Katie Begley, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. She has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. She 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.