Even though leather material goods are more resistant to dirt than fabric, it doesn’t mean they can’t get filthy, especially with daily use. Now, it’s never a good idea to just wash your leather goods with water and soap, but with the right leather cleaner, you can ensure to get the best out of your leather goods.
The best leather cleaner that you can use are Leather Cleaner By Leather Honey, Apple Brand, Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner, TriNova Leather Cleaner, Cadillac Leather Cleaner, Leather Milk Natural Leather Care Liniment No. 1, and Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner.t
Leather Cleaner By Leather Honey: Award-Winning Leather Cleaner
Leather Cleaner by Leather Honey is perfect for any type of leather, from leather apparel to shoes to furniture to different kinds of leather materials. It is highly versatile and works best for both finished and unfinished leather. This leather cleaner is made with natural ingredients that won’t harm your skin or the leather surfaces. It also won’t cause any changes to the color or texture of your leather material.
The premium concentrated formula can remove dirt, oil, stains, and grime. You can find non-toxic ingredients in the Leather Cleaner by Leather Honey that can minimize damage as well as discoloration of any leather surfaces. It doesn’t have any solvents, silicone, or animal products in its ingredients.
Leather Honey can penetrate deep into the leather to protect new leather and bring back life on old leather. It can restore all types and colors of leather. If you have old leather furniture, it can soften it, and when applying it to your old belt, it can add flexibility. The best thing about this leather cleaner is it’s not sticky, and it’s odorless.
Now, if you want to get the most out of this product, it is best to dilute it with water. As they say, a little goes a long way. When diluted with water, the bottle of Leather Cleaner by Leather Honey can last for several years on your shelf.
If you are unsure of the product, it is best to apply it on a discreet or small area of your leather and see if it is safe to use or not. If it’s good, then you can go ahead and apply it to the rest of your leather item.
The Leather Cleaner by Leather Honey is available in three sizes which are 8oz ($19.99), 16oz ($32.99), and 32oz ($50.99). This leather cleaner is considered to be one of the best sellers in leather care products on Amazon.
Apple Brand Leather Cleaner
The Apple Brand leather cleaner is one of the tools that you should have in handy as a leatherworker. It is a waxed-free leather cleaner that is specifically formulated to gently clean, condition, and preserve your leather item or material. It is made with ingredients that are not harsh and don’t leave any residue when used.
This leather cleaner works excellent with finished, exotic, naked, and simulated leather materials. Now, with repeat cleaning of your leather goods, it might reduce the moisture in the leather material; this is where the Apple Brand steps in.
The Apple Brand is also safe to use on light-colored leathers since it will not darken the finished leather material or leave any residue behind. Just like any other leather product, you should try the leather cleaner first.
You should test for color-fastness on a small portion of the leather material before spreading it on larger areas. The Apple Brand is popular to use with luxury handbags and accessories. When you are using this leather cleaner, it is best that you know whether the leather material is natural or faux leather to avoid any damages to your leather items or material.
The Apple Brand leather cleaner is available on Amazon, and it comes in seven ounces at the price of $10.49.
Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner is a spray that works well on all types of leather. It is ideal for vehicle interiors but can also be used in different leather materials and leather goods. Most leather enthusiasts recommend this product for any leather product because it can help prevent leather cracking, fading, and weather damage.
When using gentle and safe cleansers and moisturizers, the non-whitening formula can clean your leather goods from different spills, stains, and aging. The Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner has a unique spray formula with aloe, which has a texture and feel of a conditioner. With this ingredient, it won’t leave behind any streaks or greasy residue.
The best thing about this leather cleaner is it has a pleasant smell. The Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner conveniently spray cleans, conditions, and protects leather in two easy steps: spray and wipe simply. With this leather cleaner, there’s no need to purchase an additional leather product, making it an even better value.
Aside from removing stains and conditioning the leather material, this leather cleaner also has UV protection that helps premature aging, drying, cracking, and fading. You can purchase the Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner and Conditioner on Amazon for 16 ounces ($12.96) and 24 ounces ($13.66).
The TriNova Leather Cleaner
TriNova Leather Cleaner is very versatile and ideal for all types of leather surfaces, including bags, shoes, vehicle interior, furniture, and so much more. This leather cleaner is safe from all leather, vinyl, and plastic materials. It also doesn’t have harsh detergent or ingredients included in the cleaner.
The pH balance of this leather cleaner will deeply penetrate the pores of the leather to remove any set-in dirt, grime, and oil. If you have any tough stains left on your leather material or goods, this is the best leather cleaner to get because it can reduce the most challenging stains that other cleaners leave behind.
The TriNova Leather Cleaner is also a no-rinse cleanser that will quickly and effectively clean as well as protect your leather surfaces. It also prevents discoloration and dullness over time, so you can ensure that your leather goods are at their best for years. This leather cleaner also won’t strip the essential oils present on your leather material.
Essential oils in leather are vital because they can help prolong its natural shine, luster, and softness. Now, the TriNova Leather Cleaner is not messy or soapy to apply. It dries quickly and prepares the leather for the next step, which is conditioning by opening the pores.
The application of the TriNova Leather Cleaner is simple. All you need to do is spray the cleaner directly onto a microfiber towel and massage it on your leather material. Make sure that you massage it in a circular motion.
Once you’re done applying the leather cleaner, use a clean, dry cloth or microfiber towel to wipe away any dirt and oil that has been lifted to the surface. At this point, there is a very light scent that you might smell but will quickly go away.
When you purchase this leather cleaner, it will come with a free microfiber towel to help you get the best result possible. If you want to extend the life of your leather goods, routine cleaning with this product can help keep the quality of leather to last a lifetime.
The TriNova Leather Cleaner can be purchased on Amazon for $15.98 (18oz).
Cadillac Leather Cleaner
When it comes to deep cleaning leather, Cadillac Leather Cleaner would be your best friend. It is the perfect leather care product for removing tough stains in any leather material or goods such as furniture, boots, shoes, and so much more.
Cadillac Leather Cleaner also works on all leather colors, making it great in removing spots and grime on all types of smooth-finished leather. Aside from that, it can remove far more filth from your shoes and bags than you realize was there. It does this without damaging your leather possessions or leather material.
If your leather bags or shoes are exposed on a regular basis, frequent cleaning is a must, especially when it is exposed to the salt that big cities use to melt snow and ice. The salt can dry out and ruin the leather material in one single season. This leather cleaner is inexpensive but can provide the best result possible for your leather goods.
All you need to do is apply the cleaner on a soft cloth and let it sit for about half an hour, and then wipe off the dirt and product residue. Once that’s done, clean the residue with a soft cloth when you are done. For best results, make sure to follow the cleaning process with the Cadillac Leather Lotion to rejuvenate and rehydrate your leather goods.
You can find Cadillac Leather Cleaner (8oz) on Amazon for only $8.99.
Leather Milk Natural Leather Care Liniment No. 1
Leather Milk Natural Leather Care Liniment No. 1 was made especially for Saddleback Leather Company. This leather cleaner is made with safe and all-natural ingredients which don’t contain any chemicals when made. It has a water-based solution that will gently nourish, strengthen, restore, and preserve your leather surfaces.
This leather cleaner is made with high-quality, leather-enriching ingredients that are safe for all types of leather. It also serves as a gentle cleanser to safely clean and conditions your leather at the same time. The Leather Milk Natural Leather Care Liniment No. 1 comes with a subtle almond fragrance to complement the leather’s natural scent.
If your leather has wear and tear, this is the best product to fix your leather goods as it has a reputation of being the best deep conditioner treatment on the market. It has a perfect consistency, and it is effortless to apply. Leather Milk Natural Leather Care Liniment No. 1 doesn’t leave grease or have a sticky feel when applying it to your leather goods.
When you purchase this leather cleaner, it comes with a reusable cotton terry applicator pad to help achieve the best result possible. With this leather cleaner product, a little goes a long way, and the applicator is also environmentally friendly.
Leather Milk Natural Leather Care Liniment No. 1 is available on Amazon at the price of $22.78 (6oz) and $27.95 (12oz). It may not be as cheap as the others, but you will get the best possible result with this leather cleaner, and it can last for years.
Lexol Leather Cleaner
Lexol is considered to be a very gentle, pH-balanced cleaner that’s effective on leather surfaces. This leather cleaner is ideal for vehicle interior, shoes, furniture, handbags, and even sports equipment. Lexol doesn’t have any waxes, oils, or additives that interfere with the cleaning capabilities.
You can easily rinse the leather cleaner, which leaves your leather goods healthy, supple, and breathable. It doesn’t leave any residue on the leather surfaces. Due to the pH-balanced formula, this means it cleans the leather safely, stitching, and other fibers that hold the leather together.
One thing that’s not great about Lexol is the smell, as it doesn’t smell too good. It is best to use this leather cleaner outside, and when using it in your car, windows should be down. You can find Lexol leather cleaner on Amazon for $9.88 (8oz).
Chemical Guys Sprayable: Leather Cleaner and Conditioner in One
Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner is a pH-balanced, non-toxic, and water-based cleaner that helps remove dirt on any leather surfaces. It doesn’t leave any residue when you are done using it. For more gentle leather material, it is best to dilute the leather cleaner with water before applying it.
It has a refind sprayable cream formula that is rich in Vitamin E and aloe to restore the soft and supple feel of the leather material. It uses lanolin and propolis to seal and protect the porous surfaces against different elements that your leather meets daily.
The all-natural and waxy substances that are present in the sprayable leather cleaner help create a durable barrier against chemicals, bacteria, mold, and mildew. The Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner is excellent for regular maintenance since it replenishes preservatives and oils that diminish over time.
Using the Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner is easy to use. You can clean and nourish in one sprayable step. First, make sure to shake the bottle well and then mist over any leather surface. Wipe the leather cleaner away using a clean microfiber towel.
Just like the products mentioned above, it is best to test the spray in one small area before using it on the entire leather goods. You can find Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather Cleaner on Amazon. You can get a 16 ounces bottle alone for $14.99, one with a leather conditioner for $22.98, and a gallon (128 fl. oz) for $46.36.
Alternative Leather Cleaner: What Not To Use
Now, there are many cleaning substances that people will try to use to clean leather surfaces. There are some cases where these household cleaners might work to a particular degree. However, depending on the leather surface, these cleaners might be harsh or even weaken the fibers over time.
You might think that household cleaners might be convenient, but the result might not always be to your liking. The main thing that you should remember is never to clean leather with harsh or alcohol-based cleaners. Having said this, I’ll be listing the different household cleaners that you can or cannot use.
Vinegar As a Cleaning Agent
You might think vinegar might be a good item to clean leather, but it’s not. You can mix it with water to dilute it a bit to make it less harsh. Apply the water and vinegar combination to the leather to remove any stains or odors. With that said, vinegar can also stain leather, depending on the concentration of the vinegar. Aside from that, it can also make the leather brittle and can dry out leather.
Of course, using vinegar and water solution should be in moderation. Then again, vinegar is technically not safe on leather. You can use this solution for emergency purposes but not for everyday cleaning use. It can work, but there are much more gentle, easy-to-use cleaners that provide outstanding results.
Clorox Wipe
You may have Clorox wipe in your bag and may be tempted to use it in case of stains that occur while you’re out and about. Clorox wipe is not a good cleaner to use for any leather surfaces. It includes water, isopropyl alcohol, and alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, which is not too friendly to leather surfaces.
The alcohol present in the Clorox wipes will dry out the fibers in the leather, which will lead to cracking or damages. Though they are accessible and reachable, going for a specific leather cleaner would be a better choice for your leather possessions.
Baby Wipes: Great on Some Type of Leather Material
Baby wipes are just the same as the Clorox wipe, where you have it handy whenever you go out. Using baby wipes would depend on the surface coating of the leather that you have. If the leather material has a thick, solid coating, it might be okay to use baby wipes, as you would see on patent leather.
However, any cleaner that wears the surface finish away or comes in contact with any natural leather material underneath can cause staining or discoloration. It is best to use a gentle, leather-specific cleaner that is mentioned above to clean your leather goods or leather material.
Baking Soda
Baking soda may be good since it is the go-to household cleaner that most people use to clean anything in their home. However, when you use baking soda on leather surfaces, it can ruin it over time. Finished leather usually has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5, which makes it slightly acidic.
Baking soda has a pH of 8.3, which is slightly basic, and when it is combined with leather, the contrasting pH substances will react. It will break down the leather fibers and ruin the leather surface. A small level of pH difference can weaken the leather fibers present in your leather goods.
Magic Eraser For Stains
You may be wondering if Magic Eraser would work for stain issues on your leather goods. Well, it can remove things on a finished leather which is excellent. While it does remove ink stains, continuous use will wear down the leather finish over time. This would apply especially when it is roughly rubbed on the leather’s surface.
When leather is being cleaned, it has a thick, protective finish on it with a scuff. Having said this, when you use a Magic Eraser, it will most likely take away a small amount of finish with it as it clears the scuff. Now, it may be okay for some, but when rubbing extensively and when used more than once, it can start to wear away the underlying leather due to friction.
This is great for one-time emergency use only.
Rubbing Alcohol
Just like any alcohol-based cleaners, it can damage leather. Depending on the leather surface or type of finish, rubbing alcohol can also stain the leather. In some cases, it might prove helpful in removing stains, but that would depend on various factors.
Aside from leaving a stain on the leather surface, it removes key moisture from the leather when alcohol dries. It could lead to cracking or drying, which will damage or ruin your leather goods. Now, if rubbing alcohol is your only option, it is best to follow it up with an application of a leather conditioner to make sure the leather’s moisture is at its highest.
Key Takeaway
Taking care of leather is like taking care of your skin which involves cleansing dirt and oil. When you have the right leather cleaner, you can get the best possible result for your leather goods. Leather can be expensive, which is why the maintenance should be done correctly. Leather cleaner is not costly, and it can last for years when it’s properly maintained.
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