5 Best Car Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Buying Guide 2021

5 Best Car Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Buying Guide 2023

Last Updated on June 27, 2023 by Chase Manhattan

A car leather seat is something that can be easily damaged if not cleaned properly. I know that most people avoid cars with leather seats because the seats are so hard to maintain. But that does not have to be the case if you use a good leather cleaner and conditioner.

That’s why, today, we are making a list of the 5 best car leather cleaners and conditioners. All of you that are wondering how to clean your leather seats, don’t use homemade products, just go through this list, and pick an item.

If you are unsure about the products, read our buying guide. We will also answer some related questions for cleaning car leather seats.

Product FeaturesCheck Out The Price
- PH Balanced
- Vitamin E
- UV Protection
- All-Purpose
Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner And Leather Conditioner Kit
- 2-Step Kit
- Conditioner & Cleaner
- 2 Application Sponges
- All-Purpose
Lexol Leather Conditioner Cleaner Kit
- 2 Application Cloths
- Non-Toxic
- Odorless
- Water-Repellent
Leather Honey Leather Cleaning Kit
- Safe Formula
- Removes Stains
- Leather & Vinyl
- 16-Ounce Spray
Meguiar's Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner
- Genuine BMW Product
- UV Protection
- Application Cloth
- 3 Sponges
BMW Leather Care Set

Best Overall

Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner And Leather Conditioner Kit

Highlighted Features

  • PH Balanced
  • Vitamin E
  • UV Protection
  • All-Purpose
  • Water-Based

As usual, we are starting the list with a Chemical Guys product. A brand that makes the best car cleaning products, no competition. This is the best leather cleaner and conditioner you will find, customers are very satisfied with it. Not expensive at all, it will last for a long time since you only need to use a bit for cleaning. It comes highly recommended.

It’s PH balanced and it’s water-based, gentle on the leather, it won’t damage it at all. It leaves no residues, so you don’t need to worry about that. The cleaner efficiently wipes away dirt without causing any damage to the seat.

The dirt that managed to get through the leather surface will be gone too. This penetrates the surface and lifts the dirt, so you can wipe it away. No need for scrubbing, you just wipe away.

The conditioner protects and restores the leather seat to its original glory. It does more than shining up the looks though. After adding the conditioner, the leather will be more durable and stronger.

It works on all types of leather, not only car seats. You can use this on your furniture, leather shoes, leather bags, jackets. Car leather interiors can be cleaned with it too. A versatile product that you will find useful on more than one occasion.

No matter the type of car you have, this Chemical Guys cleaner is the product for you. Don’t neglect your car leather seats. Homemade products can leave greasy residue, use this, a high-quality leather cleaner and conditioner.

Pros

  • Lifts off the dirt that penetrated the seats.
  • Very easy to use, just follow the instructions.
  • Additional cleaning equipment can be added to the bundle.

Cons

  • The bottles are quite small.

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Best Budget

Lexol Leather Conditioner Cleaner Kit

Highlighted Features

  • 2-Step Kit
  • Conditioner & Cleaner
  • 2 Application Sponges
  • All-Purpose
  • 8 oz. Bottles

Now, our budget option. It’s not that these products can differ that much in price. But, some are more expensive, some are cheaper. This Lexol item is the cheapest product on this list. That doesn’t mean that it’s bad though. On the contrary, it’s a high-quality leather cleaner kit that comes with 2 application sponges for a really good price.

A 2-step regimen. First comes the cleaner than the conditioner. The cleaner will lift off dirt and oils, it will dissolve any hard dirt. All you need to do is wipe the dirt away. It restores the leather to a finer version too. The conditioner is applied with fine oil droplets. This protects the leather, makes it more durable and stronger. It protects the leather from cracks.

No spray bottles, the bottles have cap dispenses. Quite easy to use, the instructions are written on the package. Follow to the letter for maximum efficiency. Works on all types of leather, even pigmented leather.

The kit contains two application sponges. These are ideal for usage on leather. A great addition to the kit if you ask me. No matter the product, you can still ruin the leather with a harsh applicator. Don’t wipe away the dirt with these sponges though, use a very soft cloth.

You can use the cleaner and the conditioner on everything leather. Leather shoes, leather boots, jacket, bags, furniture, car upholstery, etc. An all-purpose leather cleaner, it comes in quite handy for all the leather items you have.

That was our second item on this list, hope you liked it. If you don’t want to spend too much money on a cleaning product but still want something efficient and safe, consider buying this. I highly recommend this, especially if you don’t have application pads at home. You can get the same kit for a slightly higher price but with bigger bottles, 16 oz. ones.

Pros

  • Contains 2 application sponges.
  • Leaves no greasy residue.
  • Easy to use with clear instructions.

Cons

  • No UV protection.
  • 8-ounce bottles but you can upgrade to 16-ounce.

Best Runner-Up

Leather Honey Leather Cleaning Kit

Highlighted Features

  • Cleaner & Conditioner
  • 2 Application Cloths
  • Non-Toxic
  • Odorless
  • Water-Repellent

If you are not a fan of Chemical Guys, you will like our runner-up for sure. A leather cleaning kit by Leather Honey. Another top-notch manufacturer, this one makes products specifically for leather though. You can’t go wrong with this product, cleans and treats leather efficiently with no harm. A bit expensive but it’s worth it if you ask me. Let’s see what it’s all about.

The leather cleaner is quite impressive. Really gentle, non-toxic, contains no chemicals, and it’s odorless. Despite that, the formula is still powerful. It lifts and cleans dirt instantly while causing no harm to the leather. Also, it has restorative properties. This 8-ounce bottle can be turned into 32-ounce by diluting it with water. Just follow the instructions.

It’s the same with the conditioner too. It’s non-toxic, it has no silicone or solvents, also, it has no animal products. Protects all types of leather with great efficiency, protects against cracks and UV. It can restore old and neglected leather. Safe for all types of leather: black leather, exotic leather, pigmented leather, etc… Completely odorless too.

Two application lint-free application cloths are included in the kit. Very useful for applying the cleaner and the conditioner. These, you can use to wipe away the dirt too. Designed specifically for leather usage. The two pieces of cloth are soft and quite large, they will come in handy for sure.

A leather cleaning kit with a variety of uses, believe me, the range of uses is too wide. Besides using it on leather seats and car leather upholstery, you can use this on truck seats, shoes, boots, bags, purses, jacket, leather accessories, motorcycle gear, and saddles.

There you go, a high-quality leather cleaning kit. It comes in highly recommended, no matter what you are buying this for. If you have been cleaning leather before, you know that Leather Honey is top-notch. If you don’t want to spend this much, you can buy the cleaner and the conditioner separately.

Pros

  • The conditioner protects at least for 6 months, it can last up to a year.
  • Gentle products, non-toxic.
  • A wide range of uses.

Cons

  • A bit expensive.

Best Leather Cleaner For Car Steering Wheel

Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner

Highlighted Features

  • Gold Class Leather Cleaner
  • Safe Formula
  • Removes Stains
  • Leather & Vinyl
  • 16-Ounce Spray

I know that some of you are looking for a product that can be used on the steering wheel as well. I have just the item for you, Meguiar’s leather and vinyl cleaner. Most steering wheels are made from vinyl, so this is perfect. It comes highly recommended for all purposes though. I’m including only the cleaner here, but if you follow the link, you can include the conditioner too.

A leather cleaner for all things leather. It can remove most stains without harming the material. Even though it’s strong, it’s a safe formula that won’t harm the leather. The reason why it’s so good for steering wheels is that it can clean both leather and vinyl. So, you don’t need to wonder what the wheel is made from. Also, it’s in a spray bottle, cleaning the steering wheel with a capped bottle is just too hard.

It has restorative properties. It will revitalize any type of leather and vinyl. Return your vinyl or leather seats and wheel to their original glory. One of the safest formulas that can remove oils, water-based stains, dirt, and grime.

The Gold Class Leather Conditioner is impressive as well. It leaves no residue while moisturizing and revitalizing leather. It adds UV protection and no need to worry about leaving your car out in the sun. It prevents aging too. This also comes in a spray bottle for ease of use.

Meguiar’s leather cleaner and leather conditioner are one of the best cleaning products in the market. For a really reasonable price as well, the bottles are 16 ounces. If you need more than a cleaner, for instance, a cleaning kit, you can upgrade the package to include both the cleaner and the conditioner, applications pads too.

Pros

  • Good for the car steering wheel.
  • Works on vinyl too.
  • Removes stains.
  • UV-protection.

Cons

  • Only for cars.

Best Leather Cleaner For BMW Car Seats

BMW Leather Care Set

Highlighted Features

  • Genuine BMW Product
  • UV Protection
  • Application Cloth
  • 3 Sponges
  • Valuable Oils

Lastly, a leather car care kit specifically for BMW cars. The trademark of BMW cars is the leather seats. Some people may recommend using Chemical Guys for the seats but you want to be safe. That’s why, this product made by BMW, is the best way to maintain your leather seats. BMW does everything differently, so if you have a BMW, this is the best option for you.

A leather car care kit that includes leather lotion. It cleans and conditions the seats. As the package states, it cleanses and protects the leather seats. You can clean any BMW leather materials with this not only the seats.

Made from valuable oils that can lift off dirt so you can wipe it in one motion. It also restores the leather to its original look. Offering protection for the natural properties of the leather. That means, it won’t crack, it won’t stain, and it won’t age. Also, it offers UV protection, so if you don’t have a garage, it’s a must.

The kit contains 3 wiping sponges and 1 application cloth. Basically, it has everything you need for leather car seat maintenance. After buying this set, you won’t need anything else. The BMW store also offers leather lotion to be bought separately. So, if you ever run out, just buy that without the kit.

That’s it for the last item, a genuine BMW product that restores the natural smell of the leather. I recommend this product only to BMW owners, otherwise, buying the product just doesn’t make sense.

Pros

  • Cleans and protects BMW car leather.
  • Contains cleaning and application equipment.
  • High-quality leather care.

Cons

  • Only for BMW cars.
  • Can’t be used for anything else.

Car Leather Cleaner & Conditioner – Buying Guide

All the products on the list are high-quality. You can’t go wrong, whether you buy the best overall, the budget one, the runner-up, all will serve you well. Still, some of you may have a hard time deciding. Or, you want to look for products on your own. Well, a buying guide will help you out.

Safe Formula

Leather car seats are quite sensitive. You can try using a homemade solution but you can’t be sure if it’s safe for the leather. A harmless product is what you need. So, the first thing to pay attention to is what chemicals are used. Whether there is alcohol or not. All the products here are safe for car leather seats and everything leather. Look for a safe formula that will clean the seats but won’t cause any harm or leave a residue as dish soap does.

Leather Protection

The next thing to keep in mind is the protection the product offers. You are not only cleaning the leather but you are protecting it from further harm. That’s why a product with protective qualities is a must. Something that will make the seats more durable, stronger. Also, something with UV protection. This is especially useful if your car is sitting out there in the sun for most of the day. Water-repellent formulas are also useful, this will protect against stains.

Restorative Properties

No matter how well you are maintaining the leather seats, they will age and lose some of their original glory. You can prevent or reverse this by buying a product that has restorative powers. This will restore the color and the original smell. I would say that this is a must if you neglected the leather for quite a while. A cleaner won’t do anything to neglected leather.

Application Equipment

I see a lot of people buying good products but using low-quality applicators. This is how the leather can get damaged. You need a good applicator to apply the conditioner without damaging the material. Harsh applicator pads can cause more damage than a homemade solution. Also, you need a soft cloth for wiping. Consider this while buying the products, a leather care kit will come in handy.

Range Of Uses

Lastly, think about how you will be using the products. Do you need it for bags and shoes too? Any motorcycle leather gear that needs cleaning? If so, buy an all-purpose product then. If you are paying for a high-quality product, get the most of it. If you need the product only for your car, then this is not really important to you.

Related Questions And Other FAQs

What Should You Not Use On Leather

Do not use petroleum-based products for cleaning the leather, they will dry the leather and damage it. Also, do not use products that contain abrasives. Any harsh chemicals are bad for leather cleaning. Dish soap is okay but it can leave a greasy residue. Do not wipe the leather with a harsh cloth too, use something soft.

Is Vaseline Bad For Leather

It depends on whether the vaseline is petroleum-based. Vaseline that contains petroleum will dry the leather and cause cracks. Use something with natural properties that won’t dry the leather.

Is Coconut Oil Good For Leather

Yes, coconut oil can be used as a conditioner for leather. It does not contain any chemicals that would damage the leather. Make sure that you are wiping with a soft and clean cloth though.

Can You Use Baby Wipes On Leather

You can use baby wipes on leather as long as there is no alcohol and there’s no petroleum. Even though the product is marketized for babies, you can’t be too sure. Check the package to make sure.

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