15 Best Leather Cleaners & Conditioners for Jackets 2024

So you’ve recently acquired a precious leather jacket and you want to know how you can take care of it properly. In order to make it last longer and in a pristine condition, you should invest in quality leather cleaners and conditioners. However, it can be overwhelming to choose from many options that you see online. We’re here to guide you in choosing the best products for your leather jacket and how you can apply them effectively.

Are you in hurry? There are overall winners:

What is a leather cleaner?

A leather cleaner is a substance that is applied to the leather to help some of the accumulated dirt and grime to loosen so you can easily clean it up. It can either be natural or synthetic.

When to use leather cleaners

Leather cleaners are used together with conditioners for leather maintenance, so the perfect time to use a cleaner is when you’re doing your bi-yearly conditioning and cleaning. Although, you shouldn’t wait 6 months to clean your leather jacket if you see a stain or dirt. If you accidentally spill something on your jacket, you should clean it immediately so it doesn’t penetrate further into the surface. For unexpected incidents, leather wipes come in handy too.

How do you choose the right cleaner for a leather jacket?

Here are some of the things you need to look out for when choosing the perfect leather cleaner for your jacket:

pH balanced

You should always go for leather cleaners with a neutral pH as they are safer and more gentle for all types of leather goods. A cleaner that has a pH too high can be too basic and it might cause your jacket to dry out or fade. On the other hand, if its pH levels are too low, it might not do well enough when it comes to cleaning your item.

Types of cleaners

Another thing you should consider when choosing a leather cleaner is the type of leather jacket you have and its finish. There are many types of cleaners made for specific types of leather and of course, it will also depend on the type of stain or substance you’re trying to clean. Also, consider the toxicity levels of the product as some can contain ingredients that might cause harm to you and the leather material.

Easy application

Cleaning your leather item can be tiring especially if the product you’re using requires you to do so much. That’s why it matters if the leather cleaner you choose can be easily applied. There are many products in the market today that come in a spray bottle form so you don’t need to put extra effort into cleaning your leather garment.

Best leather cleaners for jackets reviews

Leather cleaners are the first step to making sure that your jacket is well taken care of. You will encounter a lot of instances when you’ll need to clean your leather jacket and it’s important you have a handy product you can rely on. Here are some of the best leather cleaners on the market:

Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner

The first on our list is the Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner. This cleaner works on all types of leather– both real and faux. You can’t go wrong with this product since it’s guaranteed to be pH balanced– making it gentle enough to preserve the appearance of your jacket while penetrating its pores to remove dirt and oils.

You can use this leather cleaner not just on leather jackets, but also on leather furniture and leather car seats. What makes it great is that it’s odorless and colorless so you can be at peace knowing it won’t stain the surface. Since this product comes in spray bottle form, you can simply spray it onto a microfiber cloth and wipe your jacket, ensuring no residues are left.

Leather Honey Leather Cleaner

Next up on our list is the well-loved Leather Honey Leather Cleaner. This product also comes in a spray bottle form making it easier to apply on your leather jacket. It also has a UV protectant formula and can be used on both leather garments and leather furniture.

Their non-toxic formula is perfect if you have kids or pets that might come into contact with your newly-cleaned jacket. If you plan on conditioning your leather afterward, you can use this leather cleaner because of its UV protectant which will also add protection against fading, cracking, and sun damage.

Trinova Leather Cleaner

The Trinova Leather Cleaner is ideal if your leather jacket has gone through some proper wear and you want to give it a deep clean. This cleaner is safe to use on many types of leather surfaces including vinyl, saffiano leather, full and top-grain leather, and faux leather. However, remember that this leather cleaner is more on the industrial side, so this might be a bit too strong for softer leather materials like calfskin.

This is also pH-balanced to ensure that your well-used leather gets a safe treatment without using harsh chemicals. The great thing about pH-balanced leather cleaners is that they’re safe to use on light-colored leather since they won’t cause tanning of the leather fibers, so not only does this product clean, but it also enhances the longevity of your jacket.

Lexol All Leather Cleaner

If you’re looking for your money’s worth in leather cleaners, you can go for Lexol All Leather Cleaner because of its low price. This cleaner is free from additives like oils and waxes, unlike other products that may cause discoloration or staining of your leather.

For its price, you get a product that is perfect for deep-cleaning leather and removing dirt that is stuck in the pores of your jacket. Lexol Leather Cleaner is generally safe for many types of leather from upholstery to leather garments. Compared to other products, this one doesn’t come in a spray bottle, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing because you can still control the amount of product dispensed into your microfiber cloth.

Apple Brand Leather Cleaner

This leather cleaner is more on the pricier side compared to the ones we mentioned before. However, it does a good job of effectively cleaning leather without using harmful abrasives and chemicals that can ruin your leather jacket. If you own a colorfast leather jacket, meaning that it was sprayed with a finishing, this product is safe since it won’t cause color bleeding, especially on lighter-colored leather.

You can use this leather cleaner in almost any type of leather item including shoes, purses, jackets, couches, and other leather upholstery. If you want to restore that soft and supple feel on your leather jacket, this product should be one of your go-to.

Note: All these leather cleaners should not be used on suede or nubuck or any type of fibrous-surfaced leather. We have separate pages for suede protector reviews, suede cleaner reviews, and suede brush reviews.

What ingredients are in leather cleaner?

Leather cleaners usually contain a mixture of different oils like mineral oil, avocado oil, and the like. Other leather cleaners might use other ingredients that do a better job at cleaning like alcohols and ammonium chloride in safe amounts for the leather.

Do some research on whether you prefer natural ingredients or better cleaning chemicals in your leather. However, natural ingredients may not be as effective at disinfecting your leather items compared to chemical cleaners.

Most leather cleaners are supposed to be safe for leather anyway even though they contain harsh chemicals to leather. The concentrations of those chemicals are not very high so they will not dry out your leather item very much.

However, they are still cleaners so some of the oils on the surface will be removed unless it is an all-around product. If it is solely a leather cleaner, you should follow it up with a leather conditioner.

How to use leather cleaner on the jacket

Leather cleaners are quite straightforward to use. Most of them come in either bottled liquid form or spray liquid form. Here’s how to use them:

Note: If your cleaner does not include conditioning features, you probably should condition it after as well as cleaners still strip away some of the oils.

Spray leather cleaner

In order to use a spray leather cleaner, you should have a clean piece of cloth ready. You can also use large paper kitchen towels that don’t leave lint behind. Microfiber cloths would also work well.

You can spray the leather cleaner on the surface directly or on the cloth. If you’re going to spray it directly on the surface, you should do so at a distance to avoid concentrating the cleaner in one area. You should then wipe the surface thoroughly with moderate pressure.

Liquid leather cleaners

For liquid leather cleaners, you should avoid using too much product. This can be an easy mistake as liquids are easy to spill.

To use liquid leather cleaners, we do not suggest applying the liquid directly to the leather item. Large concentrations of leather cleaner are not good for leather as it can potentially dry it out quickly.

Make sure to use a cloth like a microfiber cloth to make sure that you can apply the product evenly throughout the surface of the leather item.

What is a leather conditioner?

Leather conditioners are important liquids to have if you own any leather goods. These conditioners help keep the leather moist, soft, and healthy. Without a leather conditioner, your leather may get weaker as the fibers dry out and eventually become brittle.

Not using leather conditioner will also make your leather item stiff and uncomfortable to use.

When to use a leather conditioner

For leather jackets, it is usually a good idea to use a leather conditioner every 6 months or once a year. This is good advice for people who occasionally use their leather jacket and use it as an event piece.

However, the story may be very different for people who use their leather jackets every day. If you use your leather jacket every day, you may need to condition it as often as every 3 months. If you live in an especially warm climate that puts your leather jacket under a lot of direct sunlight, you may need to do it more often.

You are able to feel when your leather jacket is starting to lose too much of its moisture as it gets stiffer and the leather starts to show more creases than usual. It may also result in some shrinking as the fibers tighten up when they dry out.

How do you choose the right conditioner for a leather jacket?

There are a few important factors to consider when choosing a conditioner for your leather jacket. We want to make sure that you’re buying what you need, and you should take these into consideration when you’re choosing between leather conditioners.

Ingredients

The ingredients are the most important thing when it comes to leather conditioners. This isn’t just generic advice, it’s very important to pay attention to the ingredients of your leather conditioner as different ingredients have different effects on leather.

Many leather conditioners will keep their ingredients a secret. However, you are able to gather information from their mentions of “natural ingredients.” This will usually mean that they do not have petroleum-based ingredients which will make them safe to use in the long run.

Synthetic conditioners with petroleum-based ingredients are more effective at making your leather feel soft with less product and it is able to work more quickly, however, they can lower the lifespan of your leather jacket by weakening the leather’s fibers.

Wax or no wax

Wax is an excellent ingredient to have in your conditioner if your leather jacket needs extra protection against the sun or the rain. Waxes naturally have an SPF rating that acts as a sunblock for your leather goods, and it also makes your leather jacket water resistant.

However, the disadvantage of wax is that it blocks the pores of your leather jacket, preventing it from breathing properly. When it comes to softer leather types, you will want your leather to breathe as it can affect the durability and softness of the leather.

When it comes to more durable types of leather like thick, full-grain cowhide, you are able to use conditioners with wax in them as it is very strong and its durability will not be affected by the wax preventing its pores from breathing.

Leather feeling

This may not be too important to the jacket itself, but it may be important to you, the user of the jacket. Your experience of the jacket is just as important as the jacket itself.

This is just like choosing a lotion for your own skin. You may not like the lotions that are too thick and feel sticky or greasy on your skin. You may want something that’s lighter and feels smooth after using, without that sticky feeling lasting very long.

All leather conditioners will make your leather sticky, but the duration of that stickiness is what you should look out for. Some leather conditioners will not be sticky a few minutes after application, while some may take days or even longer for that stickiness to disappear.

One rule of thumb you should think about when considering the thickness of a conditioner is what you’re going to use it for. If you’re going to use it on a delicate leather jacket, you should use lighter conditioners that aren’t very thick and sticky. They are more gentle and feel exquisite afterward.

For more rugged leather jackets like motorcycle leather jackets, you should use heavier conditioners as they are able to moisten more effectively for those items that see a lot of extreme conditions. You are still able to use lighter conditioners on leather items that are for rugged use, but you will need more conditioner to achieve the same result.

Best leather conditioners for jackets reviews

Now that you’ve effectively cleaned your leather jacket, it’s time for you to condition it to enhance its durability and longevity. Here are some of our top picks for the best leather conditioners in the market:

Bick 4 Leather Conditioner

The first on our list is the Bick 4 Leather Conditioner which is a trusted leather conditioner since 1882. Their time-tested formula is proven to extend the life of any leather item by effectively protecting and polishing the material. Plus, Bick 4 can guarantee that their leather cleaner will not cause the darkening or discoloration of your leather jacket.

This conditioner is also wax-free which means that the pores in your leather jacket won’t get clogged or sealed up after using this. This is very important when it comes to leather conditioners as clogged leather pores mean the material won’t be able to breathe which will cause mold growth.

Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner

This leather conditioner is the perfect option if you’re looking for a water-based leather conditioner that can restore the suppleness of the material. What makes the Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner great is that its creamy formula contains Vitamin E and aloe vera extracts that are great at bringing back the moisture of old leather items.

Another thing about this product is that it has a dry-to-touch formula so you’ll be at peace knowing that you won’t have to deal with a sticky leather surface after. Also note that this product has a subtle smell of air freshener for odor elimination, which may not be ideal for everyone.

Lexol All Leather Conditioner

If you’re looking for a leather conditioner that is on the cheaper side but can still effectively protect your leather jacket from cracking, you can try the Lexol All Leather Conditioner. Their original formula contains fine oil droplets made from emulsified tanning oils that help restore the leather’s flexibility and suppleness.

This product works best when used with their own brand of leather cleaners, so if you’re going for this, we recommend you go with the Lexol All Leather Cleaner too. We don’t recommend using this product on very old or deeply cracked leather as it won’t work effectively anymore.

Leather Honey Leather Conditioner

Leather Honey does not disappoint when it comes to giving its customers a safe and effective non-toxic formula. Compared to other conditioners which are water-based, the Leather Honey Conditioner is oil-based which means you don’t have to use it as frequently and only when needed.

A little goes a long way for this leather conditioner so you can definitely make it last longer without needing to buy a new bottle every few months. This product also does not contain silicone or solvents which can cause unpleasant smells and clog the pores of your leather jacket. However, we don’t recommend using this on lighter-colored leather as it can cause the darkening of the material.

Leather Afterlife Leather Conditioner

If you’re someone who likes to take their leather jacket out often in extreme weather conditions, you’ll love the Leather Afterlife Leather Conditioner. This conditioner can effectively protect the leather from damage caused by heat or rain, so it’s generally great for replenishing the vital components that make your leather jacket durable.

It also comes with a non-toxic formula so it’s safe to use at home around your kids or pets. This formula dries up fast compared to other conditioners and your leather jacket will be good as new in just 1-2 hours.

What ingredients are in leather conditioners?

Leather conditioner businesses love keeping their ingredients a trade secret. However, the most common ingredients are various oils like lanolin, mink oil, neatsfoot oil, and a bunch of others.

They usually include a few oils and then one or two types of waxes to provide the waterproofing element. Some conditioners will opt not to have wax or will focus on having few, but very high-quality ingredients.

Some leather conditioners will use dimethicone, which is a synthetic silicon-based polymer that is also used in human shampoos and conditioners to moisten our hair and scalps. Other conditioners will use petroleum-based ingredients which may weaken nylon stitchings over time.

We urge you NOT to use any petroleum-based products on faux leather as this can chemically interact with the material and weaken it or possibly discolor it. The effects are unpredictable, but they are not good.

How to apply leather conditioner on your leather jacket

Applying leather conditioner to your leather jacket is very simple. However, before we get into it, we’d like to tell you what to avoid and prepare for first before using.

Cleaning

Make sure to clean the jacket thoroughly, from any debris, dust, oils, or grime. These will either get in the way of the leather absorbing the conditioner or cause scratches when you rub the conditioner on the leather. You may use the leather cleaners listed above as a pre-conditioning preparation.

Beware of discoloration

Discoloration can happen even with the most gentle leather conditioners. These discolorations can be caused by the removal of colorants or the absorption of liquid in the leather. Either way, make sure to test the conditioner in a discreet area first and observe for any unwanted effects.

How to apply leather conditioner

Now that you’ve cleaned your jacket and tested your conditioner, we will now get to conditioning the whole jacket.

It is best to work in sections to make sure that you don’t miss any spots. You can divide your jacket into back and front sections, or into smaller sections if your jacket has a lot of pockets and details.

A little goes a long way when it comes to conditioner. You don’t want to overuse the conditioner as that will lead to your leather suffocating and feeling sticky. You may use gloves, a cloth, or your bare hands. Simply, apply a little to your fingers and gently work the conditioner over the sections, spreading it out as much as you can.

Massage the leather until the conditioner is spread out enough and you may move to a different section. If you have over-applied your conditioner, you may wipe off the excess with a microfiber cloth.

How long do you leave the conditioner on the leather?

Leather conditioners are meant to be left on the leather. However, if you do end up applying too much, you should wipe it off as soon as you can. The rest of the conditioner will be absorbed by the leather.

If you want to use your leather item after conditioning, you should at least wait for 1 hour. However, for the best results, you should wait a full day for the leather to absorb the conditioner. By the next day, the conditioner will have absorbed into the leather and your jacket will feel amazing.

What happens if you put too much leather conditioner?

It’s definitely not good to put too much conditioner on your leather item, however, it’s not the end of the world and it won’t mean that your leather item is going to be destroyed.

If you keep overapplying leather conditioner and do it too often, it will damage your leather eventually. However, accidentally putting too much one time will not be a problem.

For the most part, you are able to wipe off the excess conditioner. However, if the excess conditioner has been absorbed by the leather, it will excrete it as it gets exposed to heat or movement. The excess conditioner will find its way out and it will feel sticky as it oozes the conditioner from its pores.

What are 3-in-1 leather care products?

3-in-1 leather care products are the quickest way to clean, condition, and protect your leather jacket at once. They provide a balance of ingredients that allow you to do all 3 things.

It has cleaners in them that remove dirt and light stains, however, they’re mostly not disinfectant grade as those would be too strong. They also contain conditioners to keep the leather soft and supple afterwards, and protectants like waxes and UV protecting ingredients.

If you don’t want to buy a leather cleaner, conditioner, and protector separately, these 3-in-1 solutions will save you money and time. They’re not the best in one category, but they do provide good coverage of everything your jacket will need.

Best leather care 3-in-1 Products reviews

If you’re looking for leather maintenance products that come in handy for cleaning, conditioning, and a bit of protecting, then you can also opt for 3-in-1 leather care. Here are some of the best products you can choose from:

Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather and Vinyl Cleaner

The first on our list is Meguiar’s with their all-in-one leather treatment spray. This liquid solution has one of the easiest application method and it leaves your leather jacket with a shine that stays for a long time. With that said, if you don’t want a shiny finish, then this leather care kit might not be for you.

The great thing about Meguiar’s Gold Class Rich Leather Spray is that even though it does leave a shine to it, it doesn’t feel oily to the touch. This spray also comes with UV protection to prevent sun damage to your leather jacket and it is proven to be gentle on all types of leather surfaces.

Weiman Leather Conditioner

Another brand known for their great cleaning, conditioning, and leather protecting products is Weiman. Their leather conditioner also comes in an easy-to-apply spray bottle similar to Meguiar’s, making it well-loved in the leather community. This product contains mineral oils such as sesame oil and avocado oil to provide your leather with a glossy shine.

Weiman Leather Conditioner also comes with a shield against sun damage with its UVX-15 sunscreen to ensure that your prized leather item does not crack, fade, or dry in the long run. However, if you’re not a fan of scented leather care products, this might not be ideal for you as this brand contains fragrance such as d-Limonene, Citral, and Linalool.

Leather CPR Cleaner & Conditioner

Compared to the other 3-in-1 leather care products we mentioned so far, this one is different as it comes in a cream formula. The Leather CPR Cleaner and Conditioner can be used on any type of finished leather material and the best thing about it is that it’s family-safe. This means it’s made with 100% skincare ingredients to ensure that it won’t irritate your skin even if it comes into contact with the product.

If you want to remove any scuffs and scratches on your leather jacket, you can opt for this product instead. However, it does not indicate that it has UV protection features, so we still recommend using another product if you want that added protection to your leather against sun damage.

Griot’s Garage Leather 3-in-1

This product is mostly advertised for automotive leather care, but if you want to use it on your leather jacket then you may. It still does the regular cleaning, conditioning, and protection for leather plus added protection from harmful UV rays.

If you don’t want a shiny finish to your leather item, we suggest you use this as it does not leave any glossy residue behind. Instead, once it dries up, this 3-in-1 leather care product leaves a clear finish. What makes this product stand out among the rest is that it has a water-resistant formula that acts as an effective barrier against almost all types of stains.

Guardsman Renew & Protect for Leather

If you’re worried about damaging your leather jacket because of your body oils and sweat, then you can go for the Guardsman Renew & Protect for Leather. This product is great at repelling stains so you can be at peace knowing that you don’t have to deal with water or sweat stains on your jacket.

This product is also great at removing common dirt and streaks that affect the appearance of your jacket. It is pH-balanced so it’s gentle enough for leather maintenance, but as always, if you want to deep clean and condition your leather, then this product might not be for you. However, if you just want to simply clean a light stain or do maintenance conditioning, then this should be enough.

Best leather care kit reviews

If you want an on-the-go leather care kit, here’s one that we recommend:

Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Leather Care Kit

This leather care kit is a comprehensive kit that allows you to do the job of the 3-in-1 products, but in separate steps. This may seem like a hassle, but this is actually a more thorough way to do it. By separating the steps, you are able to do each step properly without the other ingredients getting in the way.

This kit includes their leather cleaner and conditioner that we have previously mentioned, but it also includes a final protection step with their detailer.

Other brands that didn’t make our ranking

• KevianClean Complete Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
• Magic Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
• 303 Leather 3-In-1 Complete Care
• Leather Master Soft Cleaner
• Armor All Leather Care
• Kate Spade Leather Cleaner
• Zep Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
• Leather Milk Conditioner and Cleaner
• King Ranch Leather Conditioner
• Red Wing All Natural Leather Conditioner
• Saphir Medaille d’Or Renovator
• Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam
• Adam’s Leather Conditioner

FAQ

What is the difference between a leather cleaner and a conditioner?

A leather cleaner usually doesn’t have any conditioning oils in it. Its main purpose is to clean the surface of the leather from excess dirt, foreign oils, and other surface contaminants. A leather conditioner is meant to be absorbed by the leather to moisten it so it stays healthy, strong, and flexible.

Should you condition a new leather jacket?

You don’t really need to condition a new leather jacket. However, if your new leather jacket is too stiff, you can use conditioner to soften it up and make it more flexible. New leather jackets are still moisturized and the leather isn’t dried out. However, the leather is still not used to being bent and moved yet.

How to make a homemade leather jacket conditioner?

You can make your own leather conditioner by using coconut oil, lanolin, or grapeseed oil directly on leather. However, you are able to mix them together to make your own conditioning concoction. You could even mix them with beeswax to add some waterproofing elements to your conditioner. The beeswax also helps it become a solid at room temperature.

How to make a homemade leather jacket cleaner?

You can make your own leather cleaner by using equal parts white vinegar to water. You can put this solution in a spray bottle for easy application and to avoid spilling too much in one spot on your leather jacket. You could also add pine oil to the mixture as that has disinfecting properties in it.