How do you keep your car’s leather interior looking like new? Though durable, leather will still fade, peel or crack with usage. It will also accumulate dirt and grease. The trick is to regularly cleanse and protect (or moisturize) your leather surfaces using top leather care products for cars. Cleaning your leather interior may be as simple as a wipe down using leather care wipes. But if you want a deeper cleanse, be prepared to invest in the best leather cleaner conditioners.
Some of the top leather cleaners and conditioners for cars combine both the cleaner and conditioner in one solution. Other kinds of leather care products work best on light-colored leather and may leave a stain on darker colored leather seats. That is why it is a good idea to test the leather surface cleaner on a small, hidden spot to see if the solution is safe to use.
Here are the best leather cleaners and conditioners on the market right now.
- Best overall: Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner and Cleaner
- Best car leather conditioner: Leather Honey Leather
- Best value all-in-one leather cleaner and conditioner: Lexol Leather Cleaning Kit
- Best old leather deep conditioner: Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Conditioner
- Best car leather cleaner: Leather Honey Leather Cleaner
Before you buy
When buying a leather conditioner and cleaner, the first thing you need to know is the type of leather in your car’s interior. The most common type of leather is the protected or pigmented leather type, which has a durable coated top and is water- and dirt-resistant. Many cleaners are compatible with this type but may ruin the more delicate aniline or nubuck leather. Be wary of harsh chemicals in some solutions – they could harm you and the leather too!
Novice DIYers will want easy-to-use leather treatment kits, such as the Bickmore Bick 5 sprayable leather cleaner and conditioner. You simply spray the product onto a microfiber towel and work it into your car leather surfaces and you’re done. Other kinds of leather care products may require extra steps such as dilution of the product. Typically, the kits come in wax, liquid, or spray form, and it is a good idea to understand how your chosen kit works.
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Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner and Cleaner Kit
This 2-pack leather cleaner and leather conditioner does a stellar job to keep your car interior pristine. First, the Chemical Guys cleaner works the leather pores to remove dirt and oils. Then the conditioner rejuvenates and restores your leather to a silky smooth and supple finish. This formula provides the best car leather protection so your seats won’t crack or peel prematurely. No need to worry about discolored or ruined leather- the conditioner is pH balanced and colorless and leaves no residue on your leather accessories. We also like the spray bottle which makes application easy.
Leather Honey Leather Conditioner
Leather Honey Leather products are among the best leather care brands on the market – and this conditioner is no different. A single application lasts for six months, saving you precious time and money. The formula works by penetrating deep into the leather’s pores and moisturizing the fibers. The result is that your leather is supple, luxurious, and well-protected. We like that this non greasy leather conditioner is also non-toxic and odorless -however, it is not the best leather conditioner for light colored leather. For this, we recommend Bickmore Bick 5. Pair this with the Leather Honey Leather Cleaner for excellent results.
Bickmore Bick 5 Car Leather Interior Care Kit
Unlike certain leather treatments that may cause a darkening of your leathers, this all in one leather cleaner and conditioner will clean, condition, and restore your leather to its original sheen without any changes to your leather hues. The wax-free leather conditioner will not leave your surface shiny- which is great if you want to maintain a matte look. To clean, simply use the spray bottle leather cleaner and conditioner on your leather surfaces and rub it in using a clean towel. For grimy surfaces, clean with the Bickmore Bick 1 leather cleaner before conditioning. This premium, all-around leather cleaner is suitable for a range of leather types, including suede and vachetta.
Lexol Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Kit
Lexol’s leather conditioner and cleaner combo kit has all you need to clean your leather, condition it, and protect it. The cleaner works deep within the leather material to efficiently remove dust and grime. Then the conditioner moisturizes and restores the leather to a supple and luxurious finish. Another thing is that the Lexol leather treatment kit has no wax, silicone, alcohols, or additives, which typically interfere with the breathability of the leather. Package includes 2 non-abrasive applicator pads.
Leather Honey Leather Cleaner
Gentle and versatile, Leather Honey car seats cleaner can be used on both leather and vinyl surfaces to remove stubborn stains, grease, and grime. It comes as a concentrate in a 4oz bottle, which is diluted to 32oz, giving you more volume and more value for money. And, if you accidentally swipe other non-leather upholstery while cleaning, the cleaner will not destroy them. This is one of best rated leather cleaners without conditioning, so you will need to buy a good leather conditioner for cars, like the Leather Honey Leather conditioner.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Conditioner
If you want to avoid harsh chemical treatments for your leather interiors, go for this all-natural leather conditioner. A safe and non-toxic leather cleaner, Chamberlain’s deep conditions and cleans your leather and vinyl car seats, leaving them supple and hydrated. It’s great for old leather too – its rich oils nourish and restore the leather to its original luxurious look. Besides, Chamberlain’s leather milk conditioner has just the right consistency that makes application easy and leaves no greasy, sticky feel on your leather. Includes reusable applicator pad
Weiman Leather Cleaner Conditioner with UV Protectant
Besides regular maintenance and restoration of leather surfaces, this leather interior cleaner and conditioner boasts of a third component – the UVX-15 sunscreen technology that protects your leather from UV rays. What makes it among the best DIY leather conditioners is the convenient, one-step application process – simply spray and wipe down using a microfibre cloth and it will leave a pleasant lingering scent.
COMPARISON OF THE TOP LEATHER CLEANERS AND CONDITIONERS FOR CARS
| Brand | Formula | Quantity | Price | |
| Top pick | Chemical Guys | Car leather conditioner and cleaner | 2 – 16 Oz Bottles | $ 19.99 |
| Best Car Leather Conditioner | Leather Honey Leather | Leather conditioner without cleaner | 8- 16 Oz Bottles | $ 19.99 |
| Best value 2-in-1 | Lexol Leather Cleaning Kit | Leather conditioner and cleaner | 8- 16 Oz Bottles | $ 19.97 |
| Best leather deep conditioner | Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Conditioner | Leather conditioner | 6- 12 Oz Bottles | $ 28-$45 |
| Best car leather cleaner | Leather Honey Leather | Car leather cleaner | 8- 16 Oz Bottles | $ 19.99 |
How to care for your car’s leather interior and accessories
If you regularly clean and condition your car’s leather interiors, you are likely to preserve the luxurious qualities that make leather so valuable. Read on for tips on how to care for your car’s leather seats and accessories.
Protect the vehicle from direct sunlight.
Buy a sunshade to block the hot sunlight which causes leather to dry up, crack, and discolor.
Protect your leather from moisture
Porous leather, when exposed to high moisture, is likely to get damaged by rotting. And very low moisture will cause it to dry out and crack. So, you want to periodically apply moisture-proofing and waterproofing products to your leather. Also, avoid spillages and dry off any accidents immediately.
Spot test all leather cleaners and conditioners
To evaluate how safe the car interior leather cleaners are, use the solution on a small, hidden spot. Leave it for 24 hours and if the spot is unblemished, then you can go ahead and clean the rest of your leather surfaces.
Use neutral-colored cleaners and conditioners
Some types of car seat leather cleaner and conditioner have dyes, which may end up mixing with your leather’s hues. Your best bet is to choose leather kits that are neutral or match your leather color.
How to clean car leather interior
To start with, you should thoroughly vacuum the surfaces to prevent any debris from making scratches on your leather. Grab any of these top leather cleaners and conditioners for cars and a microfiber cloth, and you’re ready to start.
Spot testing
Test the leather cleaning product on a small, hidden spot to see if the solution is safe to use.
Remove surface dirt
Clear out visible debris, vacuum the area and then wipe it down with a damp cloth.
Cleaning
If you are using a factory-made leather cleaner, apply it on your sponge or microfibre towel and then work it onto the leather, one small area at a time. The best way to apply leather care products is to carefully follow the directions from the manufacturer. That way, you will avoid ruining your leather seats and accessories. You can also clean using warm water, mild soap, and a microfibre cloth.
Conditioning
Once the leather is dry, you can now apply small quantities of the auto leather conditioner. Leave it to dry out for at least 30 minutes.
How often should I use a leather cleaner and conditioner?
How often you clean and condition your leather interior depends on your car’s usage and the kind of leather kit you use.
Some premium leather conditioners have a long-staying power of up to 6 months. However, if you use your car daily, then you may have to do it monthly. Based on this car leather conditioner review, our standout pick for the best long-lasting car leather conditioner is the Leather Honey Leather conditioner which lasts for up to six months.
Final Thoughts
The Chemical Guys leather conditioner and cleaner is our top pick for the best leather conditioner. It is chemical-free and super safe for cleaning, maintaining, and protecting all types of leather. For best value go for the Leather Honey Leather conditioner whose single application lasts up to six months.
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