Car leather cleaners might not be at the forefront of your mind when it comes to maintaining the condition of your vehicle. But if you’re not a fan of materials wearing out, it’s a useful thing to have in mind. Leather is a fantastic material to have when cleaning your car interior upholstery because it’s very hard-wearing. Unfortunately, if you’ve ever seen the inside of an old Jaguar that needs restoration, leather can wear quite spectacularly. Modern leather is treated with a plastic clearcoat, an invisible layer of protection, but it still needs care.
The fact is, cleaning it with a bit of soap and water simply isn’t enough. Leather requires flexibility and moisturising for longevity, and cracks begin to appear when it hardens. Keeping leather upholstery maintained can prevent this
Properly cleaning leather will stop it from going shiny and greasy too, leaving it with a matte finish. Luckily, there are plenty of products on the market, such as interior dressing, designed to treat, clean and preserve leather. They’re often cheap, simple and easy to use so you can keep on top of everything yourself.
The best car leather cleaners tested 2024 at a glance:
The best car leather cleaner: Gyeon Leather Set Strong – buy from eBay
Editor’s pick: ValetPRO Leather Soap – buy from Amazon
Best cleaner and conditioner set: Leather Honey Cleaner and Conditioner – buy from Amazon.
We’ve put together a group of the best leather cleaning kits you can get on the market today. We put them to the test on two different cars and determined which one is the best, and where the others rank in our findings. From full kits to necessary equipment and even a quick-fix solution, there’ll be something for everyone. For cleaning other bits of the interior, a good carpet brush might be something else to consider.
How we tested the best car leather cleaners
Two vehicles with slightly different kinds of leather were used for this test. A BYD Seal which the editorial team have as a long termer, and a 2018 Volvo V60. Both of which use slightly different kinds of leather, and this was parked in our notes when it came to judging which cleaner would be the victor.
We followed the instructions on each manufacturer’s package precisely, so we would end up with fair results and a fair comparison between each product. Some required small applicators whereas others preferred cloths and microfibre towels alone, and we catered for each. The foam applicators we used were from CarPlan, and in the singular case where Gyeon instructs to use a small hand brush, we used the one provided in its kit.
Before the test took place, we vacuumed the seats to ensure that they were 100% free of loose dirt before the products were applied. This is something you’ll want to do before applying the products yourself as spreading around loose dirt along with the cleaners isn’t ideal.
What we look for in car leather cleaners
Primarily, we want to know if a leather cleaner is any good at cleaning off dirt that’s usually quite tricky to lift in leather seats. On white or beige leather particularly, this can show up as grimy, brown muck that really isn’t easy to spot in darker tones of leather. But after using your foam applicator or cloth, you’ll notice the cleaning ability as soon as you look as what you just rubbed on.
The next thing we look for is the seat texture after drying and/or buffing with conditioner. The more natural-feeling, the better as we don’t want the seat to have a slick feeling, as this indicates that oils and other lightly greasy dirt still remains.
Another thing we like on Parkers is value for money. If a cleaner and/or conditioner represents good value as well as a sterling job, then we rate it well ourselves. With that said however, if we feel a product is worth its asking price, higher or lower than its rivals, then we’ll rate it accordingly.
The best car leather cleaners tested 2024
The best leather cleaning kit
The bottle itself could've done with a more consistent spray, but whatever formula Gyeon used clearly works. It works to lift up the brown-ness of what was left in the seat, and returns it to more or less its factory tone. The texture of the leather was already very soft, but I almost feel the Gyeon cleaner and conditioner made it even softer. The brush and the soft hand applicator that's included with the kit are also a Godsend - both are very easy to clean afterwards, and they do a sterling effort at respecitvely agitating the seats and buffing them.
It's the winner of our test, but not by quite as large of a margin as our other group tests. But whether that margin is miniscule or significant, winning is winning.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Amazingly comprehensive kit that includes more than you may need
- The brush and hand applicator are very useful items and are great quality
- The seats were pretty much factory fresh after cleaning
Cons
- It did take a lot of agitation and going over to achieve that result
- The spray from the bottle wasn't the most consistent
| Volume | 320ml (total) |
| Product type | Kit |
| Curing time | No |
| Included equipment | Brush, microfibre towel, hand towel |
Editor's pick
I was surprised at the fact that it undercuts the Turtle Wax leather cleaner on price, yet somehow, it ends up surpassing it in terms of quality and cleaning ability. I used foam pads to lift the bulk of the dirt, and it did so like it had been buried within the seat for years. After you buff it with a towel, the natural and soft leather became alive and was clearly revived from its greasy, well-used past. The product itself never dropped either, making it very user-friendly. Above all, I was surprised at how capable the ValetPRO cleaner was compared to the others, and those who did the formula deserve a big high-five.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Amazing value for money at just £6.40 for 500ml
- Cleans up a great amount of dirt from the leather and restores it to its natural texture
- Very easy to apply and clean, requiring a bit less agitation than some others
Cons
- The quality of the finish didn't quite match that of the Gyeon cleaner
| Volume | 500ml |
| Product type | Soap/shampoo |
| Curing time | 2-3 mins |
| Included equipment | No |
Best all-round leather seat protector
The first thing I noticed is that it feels quite wet when you apply it. You can almost think of it as a wet wax for leather, but once you're spreading it evenly and rubbing it into the leather you just cleaned, it lifts up even more dirt which means bonus points for cleanliness. The texture of the leather felt very natural and fresh afterwards, and you notice the difference a little bit more so than some of the other products on test.
Overall, the cleaner and protector from ValetPRO serves as a great set for all kinds of leather interiors that need a bit of freshening up. It's just a shame that no extra equipment such as microfibre towels or pad w are included in either product.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Leather feels and looks noticeably nicer and more nourished than before
- A perfect finishing touch aid to the leather cleaner, and even helps get rid of extra dirt
- Very easy to apply and quick to do so, which is reassuring
Cons
- No extra equipment such as pads, cloths, or brushes included in either ValetPRO product
| Volume | 500ml |
| Product type | Spray |
| Curing time | 5-minutes |
| Included equipment | No |
Best car leather cleaner for restoring hardened upholstery
What's more, it was very easy to rub in and buff dry. It, like the Gyeon kit, required a bit of effort to rub in all of the product in order to clean off the grease and dirt and restore the texture to its fine tone. I found that the bottle isn't the easiest to get product out of, but if you're after a soft, natural finish, this is the leather cleaner to go for. An air of quality is to be said about the Leather Reviver, and it left me very impressed.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Left the leather feeling soft, yet retained its natural texture
- Easy to work in and buff out to achieve a great finish
- Lifted up an large amount of dirt and works as a cleaner and protector in one go
Cons
- The bottle isn't the easiest to get product out of, at least I found
| Volume | 500ml |
| Product typ | Gel |
| Curing time | No |
| Included equipment | No |
Best leather cleaner and conditioner set
Rrp: $65.16
Rrp: $65.16
The cleaner was very straightforward and very easy to apply. The bottle was very gentle as I squeezed a bit of it onto the first cloth included, and spreading it across the seat section felt both soft, easy, and therapeutic in a sense because quite a lot of dirt was lifted up. It feels strange to say that it felt the most luxurious of the lot, but the scent and feel of the bottle and cloth made it seem so.
The conditioner aided the cleaner massively in reviving the natural texture and feel of the leather. During the process, it did make the seat feel very slick, but a lot of effort has to be put in in order to use enough to buff it out . Afterwards, the texture of the leather is restored to its natural tone and the slickness goes away. Like the Gyeon however, a lot of agitation has to be put in - the difference here being the conditioning stage rather than cleaning.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- The kit and the application felt the most luxurious out of the products tested, thanks to the scent and quality of the cloths
- It's nice that there's one cloth for each product included - it makes the process easy to follow
- The leather was both spotless and left with its natural feeling and texture
Cons
- The quality didn't quite match that of the Gyeon kit
| Volume | 454ml (2x 227ml bottles) |
| Product | Gel |
| Curing time | No |
| Included equipment | Two microfibre cloths |
Best budget leather cleaner
I was sceptical that at £7.50, it would feel very mild. But it stands out as the most surprising cleaner out of this test. It's genuinely as capable as the others, yet undercuts them on price. With no curing time required, it's a perfect cleaner if you're doing a quick job. You don't even need a large amount to apply, so it will almost certainly last for ages between each bottle.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Amazingly good value for money at just £750 for 500ml
- Efficient in its use, as only a fairly large drip was required to achieve a great result
- No curing time, which makes is useful for a quick and easy cleaning job
Cons
- Quality of the others isn't matched, but this is reflected in its price point
| Volume | 500ml |
| Product type | Gel |
| Curing time | No |
| Included equipment | No |
Best spray leather protector
You do have to apply a bit of effort to properly revitalise the leather to its natural texture, but you're left with a very neat finish once you've done your last buff. I will report however, that when comparing the finish of the Turtle Wax and Car Gods section side by side, the Turtle Wax section felt ever so slightly slicker, but only by a small margin.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Aids the cleaner very nicely to achieve a clean, natural finish to the leather
- Manages to lift off even more dirt, which is a bonus
- Creates a protective sheild for your leather, helping its longevity
Cons
- The quality of the finish was slightly below that of some others
| Volume | 591ml |
| Product type | Spray |
| Curing time | No |
| Included equipment | No |
Best budget leather car cleaning kit
The protector deserves equal credit; it also lifted up any extra dirt that was leftover, and brought the leather to a lovely, natural shine that didn't affect the original texture. It was also very quick to apply and dry out, and neither products required that much agitation to achieve the result I wanted.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Not that much agitation was needed to achieve the results I wanted
- Both products were very quick to dry out and buff, which is great if you're in a rush
- Great value for money at just under £13 for the set
Cons
- The cleaner bottle is quite easy to spill when you apply it into a cloth or pad
| Volume | 1L (2x 500ml bottles) |
| Product type | Kit |
| Curing time | No |
| Included equipment | Applicator pad, microfibre towel |
Best mid-range car leather cleaner
What's more, the product was very easily buffed out by a microfibre towel, and the process seemed to be one of the quickest of the products tested. The softness doesn't quite match that of the Car Gods cleaner, nor does the quality match that of the Gyeon cleaner. But the effort that Furniture Clinic made is admirable - and a bottle of Ultra Clean shouldn't be ignored next time you go shopping for your next kit.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Pros
- Very efficient in its usage, with a tiny amount being needed to clean the seat
- Lifted up a huge amount of dirt and provided a sense of cleanliness
- Easy to buff out and achieves a natural-feeling finish
Cons
- The quality of the leather after finishing was slightly below some others
| Volume | 500ml |
| Product type | Shampoo |
| Curing time | No |
| Included equipment | No |
Car leather cleaner FAQs and other things to remember
How do I clean my leather car seats?
Also, be wary of perforated leather, you’ll need to be more cautious to prevent saturation and leaving damage. Give the areas a good vacuum before getting the leather cleaning products out. Remove larger bits of dirt while being careful not to scratch the leather. We recommend using a proper car vacuum cleaner for this because it’s simply less of a hassle. Pet hair removers are better suited for carpeted areas.
Apply some of the leather cleaner to a microfibre towel and begin removing the surface dirt from the leather. Be careful not to use too much in one go, you’ll be left with a slippery, greasy mess. Using a brush with rigid bristles, begin to scrub more embedded dirt. If you’re careful, a drill brush attachment could be a way to go as well. After this, wipe down with a clean microfibre cloth, you’ll be able to see the dirt and oil on the towel (there will be more than you think).
If you’ve chosen an all-in-one cleaner, so long as you’ve wiped it all down with a clean towel you’ll be done and free to admire your immaculate leather interior. If you’ve chosen one of the sets, on the other hand, it’s now time to condition. Do a spot test with your conditioner on a relatively hidden area, make sure the conditioner doesn’t discolour or mark the leather. If it leaves no marks, use a microfibre towel and begin rubbing in the conditioner. It’s best not to apply the conditioner directly to the leather because it’s very easy to end up using too much and creating a greasy mess. Leave the conditioner to settle overnight before buffing with another microfibre towel. And to give your interior a freshen up from odours, a quality fabric spray along with a fabric upholstery protector will be a fabulous way to finish things off.
Is car leather cleaner safe to use on vegan/synthetic leather?
From what we can tell, it seems to be fine. We applied the Gyeon leather cleaning kit to a BYD Seal, which uses a synthetic vegan leather to cover the seats, and after a lot of buffing and agitation along the way, they came out looking perfect and free of the dirt without damaging the colour or material.
However, we would still recommend that for whatever material your upholstery is, you check what products are safe to use before buying, and if possible, clean a small test spot first before proceeding with the full interior. Preferably on a bit of material that isn’t in the vehicle.
How often should I clean my car’s interior?
If your vehicle is in regular use, we’d say every four to six months for a deep clean. People vacuum their cars and take great care of the exterior, but cleaning the fabric or leather upholstery is often overlooked – and there can be loads of hidden dirt within. These will build up overtime due to dirt leftover by clothing, body oils, and much else.
Some vehicles however, aren’t in as much use, and are instead taken out for weekend runs and special occasions. For these, intervals can be left slightly longer, but leather seat conditioning is worth doing on a scheduled basis in order to maintain the healthiness of the material.
Who tested the car leather cleaners?
This test was performed by Aaron Hussain. As a classic car enthusiast, he is very used to different kinds of leather seat textures and how to treat them, no matter how rich or untreated. He has also performed many prior group tests on Parkers, and has a hand at judging a winner based off a set criteria for individual products.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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