A standard spin cycle has the power to erase many sins - spilt wine, food stains, general dirt - but the one thing it can’t do? Bring leather goods back to looking new.
Slinging leather accessories or clothing into a washing machine can ruin the prized hide by causing it to shrink, discolour or dry out, which leads to cracking and eventually binning. It’s no way to treat things that can cost an eyewatering amount to procure in the first place.
And what to do with leather sofas and chairs, and the interiors of luxury cars? Without the right care and maintenance, these notoriously expensive pieces of furniture could unravel well before their time.
As with all specialist fabrics, it pays to study the care instructions before you start advancing upon them with a microfibre cloth and bleach spray gun.
Since leather is animal skin, it calls for a completely different cleaning approach. Day-to-day, use a soft cloth to get rid of dust and debris, especially from leather sofas where crumbs can hide in the cracks. If your leather happens to be clothing, store it in a dust bag when you’re not wearing it. Keep it out of the rain, extreme heat and direct sunlight. And every so often, give it a deep, moisturising clean with a specialist cleaner.
Formulated specifically for leatherware, such cleaners get rid of stains and grime while protecting the hide. A good one will nourish it to such an extent that it will gleam with good health afterwards.
For those who want their small leather goods, leather sofas, journals and more to go the distance we’ve rounded up the best leather cleaners for popular products below.
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Wheelers Leather Cleaning Spray 300ml
Made with a gentle but effective plant-based formula, Wheeler’s leather cleaning spray promises to get your hides back to their gleaming best with a few spritzes. It’s an all-rounder and can be used across surfaces, from furniture and luggage to accessories like shoes, gloves and handbags. There’s also a light scent of cotton and lemongrass too, courtesy of the essential oils in the ingredients list.
Buy now £6.70, Amazon
Coach Leather Cleaner
New York-based fashion label Coach excels in small leather goods - so it makes perfect sense to use its cleaner to keep your pieces looking boutique fresh. The solution can be used across all Coach leather barring Sport Calf, suede and haircalf. If you’re unsure, test out a small dot in a hidden spot to see if there’s an adverse reaction.
If it’s safe to continue, take a soft clean cloth and dab on a little cleaner, rubbing the leather in circular stokes before leaving it to dry for half an hour.
Buy now £10.00, John Lewis
Lakeland Complete Leather Furniture Care Cleaning Kit
Clean, condition and protect your leather furniture with this all-in-one set from Lakeland. The bundle includes an ink remover, cleaning solution, conditioning and protecting cream, and a soft cleaning cloth. There’s enough here to clean and care for a standard suite five times over. Comes with a three-year guarantee.
Buy now £14.99, Lakeland
Town Talk Lemon & Lime Leather Cream Spray, 250ml
When your leather couch starts to look like it’s done nine rounds with Tyson Fury, let Town Talk offer some TLC. The brand’s leather cream spray will hydrate the hide, returning its lustre and natural suppleness. It can even be used to revive vintage leather jackets, turning back the clock and making look and smell fresher.
Buy now £10.50, John Lewis
Furniture Clinic Leather Furniture Care Kit
While it’s true that leather looks better with time, cracked and faded versions hold zero appeal. Keep your leather looking its nicest with proper care. If you’re not sure where to start, this comprehensive kit from Furniture Clinic can help.
Ideal for use on leather couches, armchairs, footstools and more, the cleaner and protection cream protects the hide by forming a water and stain-repelling barrier while bringing back its shine. You’ll also get a cleaning sponge and cloth, which can be washed ready for the next treatment.
Buy now £23.95, Amazon
The Lab Co. Leather Nourisher 125ml
We love a multipurpose solution here at ES Best - less clutter in the cupboards to sift through. If you’re the same, look to The Lab Co. which has this universal leather cleaner that can see to everything from trainers and handbags to jackets and formal shoes. The nourishing formula, which includes beeswax, helps stop the leather from cracking while giving it a healthy glow.
Buy now £10.00, Amazon
Beeswax Leather Cleaner
If it’s small wallets and purses you’re hoping to restore, a wax may be better suited to your needs. This hand-poured balm, made in Wales, cleans, protects and seals all in one. It’s made with natural British beeswax and sinks right into dry, cracked leather leaving no greasy residue behind.
Be warned though: it’s not suitable for imitation, suede or nubuck leather.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Diptyque Leather and Wood Care Lotion 250ml
The legendary Parisian fragrance house is famed for its delightful personal and home scents, but it’s been flying undercover in the cleaning and garment care game for a while too. Take its leather and wood care lotion for instance (and if you own items made with either, you absolutely should take it). The treatment is designed for occasional use - no more than four times a year - and leaves surfaces nourished and healthy-looking with a light scent of cedar and patchouli.
Buy now £27.00, Liberty
Fiebing's Saddle Soap
If the retro packaging doesn’t get you, the formula waiting inside undoubtedly will. Designed to be used across most leather surfaces, the all-in-one cleaner and conditioner gives leatherware a helping hand, prolonging its shelf life so you can keep enjoying it for longer. It works across multiple things including purses, shoes and even car seats. All from a brand you can trust - it’s been specialising in leathercare since 1895.
Buy now £7.44, Amazon
Leather Honey Cleaner
Another cleaner that has stood the test of time, this ‘honey’ is a concentrated formula that can make just under a litre. The unscented solution can be used across the home and car to make leather supple and shiny once more: from the cushions in your car to the vintage jacket or trousers hanging up in your closet.
Buy now £16.99, Amazon
The Posh House Leather 2-in-1 Cleaner and Conditioner, 500ml
Clean and condition leatherware with this all-in-one formula from The Posh House. Lightly scented with the soothing notes of lavender and chamomile, this product is perfect for both spot cleaning and deeper maintenance.
Buy now £10.95, Amazon
