Leather is a great material not only for its luxurious aesthetic with durability and ease of cleaning, especially for your furniture, such as your sofas and your armchairs. It can last much longer than its fabric counterparts and is much more resistant to spillages, odours, wears, and pesky pet tears. But, to keep it clean and looking less battered over time, you need to make sure you clean it using the best leather cleaners for the job.
Different leathers require a slightly different cleaning process, so if you’re looking to get a leather product or just want to know how best to treat the leathers you own, find out more below.
Can I use regular household products to clean leather?
While it may be simple and easy to use a multipurpose spray or wipe on your leather as you do your spring clean, you should refrain from using household cleaning products on your leather fabrics. The soap chemicals can ruin leather over time, and it’s best to use products designed for use on leather only. Regularly clean your leather with a microfiber cloth and water, but for a deeper clean, use the options below.
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Before you purchase the best leather cleaners, you'll need a pack of cloths so that you can scrub away easily. Microfiber cloths are a brilliant option to ensure you don't leave a scratch on whatever you're sprucing up.
Best leather cleaners for sofas
A top tip from DFS is to give your sofa a gentle weekly hover to remove dust, crumbs and debris, especially between the cracks of the leather cushions. You can then clean down your sofa using a purpose-made leather cleaner, or for a quick wipe down, use leather cleaning wipes.
While these aren't the most eco-friendly, they are great for a speed clean once in a while and are a favourite with Mrs Hinch. Cleaning enthusiast Sophie Hinchcliffe uses bargain leather wipes on her leather chairs and then uses diluted Zoflora spray to make it smell extra fresh and clean.
Struggling to buff your leather two-seater? These wipes will give your belongings a new lease of life. We'd recommend using at least two wipes to get your sofa fresh and shiny.
Are you searching for a long-lasting cleaning product? Spritz a small amount onto your armchair (or whatever leather piece you're cleaning), and wipe away to see the results. It really is as simple as that.
Clean and protect your corner sofa with this incredible care kit from the Furniture Clinic Store. This set includes a 17oz bottle of leather cleaner, a 17oz bottle of leather protection cream, a sponge, a cloth and an instruction manual.
Best leather cleaners for shoes
Whether your leather shoes are a durable pair for work or a fashion staple in your wardrobe, keeping them clean can help improve their appearance as well as ensuring they look smart and new.
Before applying a leather cleaner, remove any laces to keep them protected and prevent them from getting stained. Dust down your shoes or boots with a soft-bristled brush to remove any dirt and debris, then use a soft brush to apply your leather cleaner. Finish off with polish for that extra shine!
Transform the old pair of boots in the back of your cupboard with this non-toxic leather cleaner. No need to scrub or dab your shoes either - simply dilute the concentrate, apply with a spray bottle or lint-free cloth and wipe it away.
Put some elbow grease into the Pink Miracle Bottle shoe cleaner. It's been around since 1985 and is still one of the best ways to get your footwear looking brand-spanking new. Thumbs up from us!
Best leather cleaners for car upholstery
Car upholstery leather has a protective layer to help it stay as durable as possible, but this often gets tested to the limits with seat heaters, high usage and higher temperatures from being outside. So to help preserve the life of the leather seats in your car, keeping them clean can help remove the extra grime that builds up, as well as keep them nourished to avoid leather cracking in the heat.
As with your sofa, vacuum the seats and trim to remove any dust and debris and then use one of these cleaners to tackle the build-up of dirt. If you encounter any difficult stains, repeat the process or try to agitate with a soft-bristled brush.
On the hunt for a leather cleaner that puts the pedal to the metal? You can safely and quickly clean your car seats with a couple of squirts of Autoglym Leather Cleaner.
Now this wax will have your engine revving! This go-to cleaning solution will remove dirt from every nook and cranny. The best bit about it? This number restores natural softness and protects against harmful UV rays. Result!
Spilt something in your car? No problem. Meguiar's Gold Class Leather Cleaner and Vinyl Cleaner removes tough grime and stains in no time at all. Gone are the days of leaving the blue jean dye on your cream seats.
Best leather cleaners for bags and jackets
Cleaning and caring for your leather jackets, bags, and purses are simple and shouldn't be required too often, depending on how regularly you wear. The best call with leather items of clothing or bags is to check the label for any specific cleaning advice from the manufacturer. If they don't provide any instruction, wipe down with the microfiber cloth and finish with a cleaner (for tougher dirt) and a conditioner to keep the leather nourished.
To help preserve your leather for longer, try not to overfill your bags or stretch out your jackets. This can risk the items losing their shape and an increased chance of cracking.
Having a bit of a wardrobe clear out and thinking about selling some of your old jackets? Before you start taking pictures for your eBay listing, use this natural leather cleaning spray to give your clothes a good shine.
Has your bag seen better days? This leather care kit will resurrect your favourite accessory back to its former glory. Not only is it easy to use, but it's also fantastic value for money.
www.wilko.com
Wipe away any dirt from your clothes and leave them smelling fresh, thanks to the lovely fragrance from this product.
Do I need to use a conditioner?
Leather conditioners won’t waterproof or ‘shine' your leather but instead moisturise the material. This helps prevent the leather from cracking or drying out, much like our own skin, helping to improve its appearance and durability in the long run.
If you want to go for a more rugged appearance, you needn’t bother, but for a long-lasting, smoother finish, try applying a conditioner every six to 12 months.
We've already seen the Leather Cleaner by Leather Honey, so naturally, we're going to recommend its conditioner counterpart. We love that this will help enhance the colour of your furniture and add in moisture.
Does your leather look faded? This incredible balm will take your item from worn to looking good. Remember a little goes a long way with this.
Last, but not least, we have the Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner, which has been around since 1882. If you have a bit of a DIY project on your hands, this leather condition is a must-have. Why? Because it cleans, polishes, conditions and restores leather goods.
One super cleaner in the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook group was even able to use Baby Dove Cream to moisturise her settee back to health. Thinking of leather as skin like our own really helped her find this hack and might be something you have lurking in your own cupboards.
Other leather cleaning tips
• Protect your leather from the sun and direct heat/ light to prevent fading and drying
• Test new cleaning products on your leather in small, out-of-sight places
• Do not use harsh detergents to remove difficult stains, as they can actually do more harm than good
• Let leather breathe – try not to store your leather pieces in air-tight containers or tucked away in a carrier bag
• If in doubt, check the leather care guide of the manufacturer
How to do DIY natural leather cleaner at home
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Yours, specialising in home décor, furnishings and appliances. Having worked commercially on Yours magazine and Yours.co.uk for the past six years, she's previously hosted Yours Live events and loves looking for home inspiration online.