Leather looks simple until you try to clean it. A sofa, a car seat and a handbag can all be leather, but each has a different finish, and a product that suits one can dull or stain another. Suede and unfinished leather need different care again, and faux leather reacts differently from both.
Check the surface first, because the maker's list of approved surfaces is the quickest way to rule a bottle out. Look for a finish the maker says it works on, and a clear note on suede or unfinished leather. Then read the warnings, since some cleaners need eye protection or good ventilation.
Sponsored links: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. No brand pays for placement.
4 products
Our picks at a glance
- Leather Honey Leather CleanerBest overall for leather and vinylGenuine leather furniture · Faux leather and vinyl trim · A cleaner and conditioner pairCheck price of Leather Honey Leather Cleaner on Amazon
- Amodex Ink & Stain RemoverBest for ink on leather furnitureInk on leather furniture · Ink on car seat upholstery · Stains on genuine leatherCheck price of Amodex Ink & Stain Remover on Amazon
- Lexol All Leather CleanerBest for furniture and car seatsFinished leather sofas · Car seats, including perforated · Sealed or coated leatherCheck price of Lexol All Leather Cleaner on Amazon
- Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner SprayBest spray for finished leatherFinished leather furniture · Car interiors and vehicle seats · Pebbled or colored leatherCheck price of Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Spray on Amazon
Best overall for leather and vinyl
1. Leather Honey Leather Cleaner
Leather Honey Leather Cleaner
Leather Honey Leather Cleaner is listed for genuine leather, exotic skins, faux leather and vinyl, which makes it a fit for mixed trim on a sofa or car seat. The maker's directions are to clean first, then apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner once the leather is dry. It is a concentrate that is diluted with water before use.
Best for
- Genuine leather furniture
- Faux leather and vinyl trim
- A cleaner and conditioner pair
Best for ink on leather furniture
2. Amodex Ink & Stain Remover
Amodex Ink & Stain Remover
Amodex Ink & Stain Remover is listed for genuine leather, upholstery and auto upholstery, so it fits a couch or car seat stain. Its directions are written for ink, and the maker says to work it into the dry stain over a paper towel. Its list also runs to clothing and hard surfaces.
Best for
- Ink on leather furniture
- Ink on car seat upholstery
- Stains on genuine leather
Best for furniture and car seats
3. Lexol All Leather Cleaner
Lexol All Leather Cleaner
Lexol All Leather Cleaner is a foaming cleaner made for automotive and furniture leather, and its list also covers handbags and luggage. The maker's FAQ says it suits finished, coated or sealed leather, which describes most automotive and furniture leather. It also works on perforated seats when applied lightly.
Best for
- Finished leather sofas
- Car seats, including perforated
- Sealed or coated leather
Best spray for finished leather
4. Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Spray
Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Spray
Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Spray is made for smooth, finished leather, including leather furniture, car interiors and vehicle seats. The maker says it works on any leather with a protective finish, including pebbled, bonded, distressed and colored leather. It also lists shoes, boots and luggage.
Best for
- Finished leather furniture
- Car interiors and vehicle seats
- Pebbled or colored leather
Match the product to the job
How to choose
Leather couches and armchairs
For a finished leather sofa, Lexol All Leather Cleaner is listed for furniture and says it suits finished, coated or sealed leather. For a stain rather than dirt, Amodex is listed for genuine leather and upholstery, but its directions are written for ink, so use it for that kind of mark. Leather Honey is the fit if the sofa or its trim is faux leather or vinyl, since the maker lists both.
Car seats and car interiors
Lexol All Leather Cleaner is listed for automotive leather, and the maker says to apply it lightly on perforated seats. Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Spray is listed for car interiors and vehicle seats, but only for leather with a protective finish. If the seat is faux leather or vinyl, Leather Honey covers both surfaces, and Weiman does not work on vinyl.
Ink, dye and lipstick
Ink and lipstick need a different product from everyday dirt. Mohawk Ink Remover is for recent ink marks and lipstick on topcoated leather or vinyl, and the maker says permanent marker will likely not come out. Amodex is listed for ink on a wider range of surfaces, and it is used with a paper towel underneath.
Routine cleaning
For everyday dirt on finished leather, a cleaner and conditioner pair keeps the routine short. Leather Honey Leather Cleaner is followed by Leather Honey Leather Conditioner, and Lexol All Leather Cleaner is followed by Lexol All Leather Conditioner. Weiman's spray cleans and conditions in one step, and the maker suggests using it once or twice a month.
Suede and unfinished leather
Leather Honey and Weiman both say not to use them on suede, and Weiman and Lexol both warn against unfinished leather. Mohawk only works on topcoated leather, so it is not an option for raw leather either. Check the label of any suede product before you buy, since none of the five picks lists suede.
Use it safely
Test every product on a hidden spot first, since all five makers ask for a test before a full clean. Never mix products, and do not pretreat ink with water, alcohol, hairspray or acetone, which the Amodex maker says set ink.
Use Mohawk in a well-ventilated area, and wear eye protection with Lexol, whose safety data sheet lists serious eye irritation. Weiman contains sesame oil, so check it first if anyone in the house has a sesame allergy.
Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar or other acids, ammonia or rubbing alcohol. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
Would a home method do?
A damp cloth can be enough for light surface dirt on finished leather, and the matching how-to guides cover that kind of job. Once the mark is ink, dye or oil, a product made for that stain is the safer choice, and test any method on a hidden spot first.
How we chose
Every product here earned its place on fit, not on who pays: it is made for this job by its maker's own description, its maker doesn't warn against the surfaces this list covers, and its directions agree with the methods in our stain guides. We put the clearest, best-documented products first and limit each brand to two picks. Our editorial standards.
We compared each pick on its maker's product page, label and safety data sheet. Prices and photos come directly from Amazon and can change. Sources for each pick:
Questions
What is the best leather cleaner for a couch?
Lexol All Leather Cleaner is the best fit for a couch in this list, since the maker lists furniture and says it suits finished, coated or sealed leather. Test a hidden spot first and apply it lightly with a soft cloth. Then follow with Lexol All Leather Conditioner.
Can I use a leather cleaner on a car seat?
Yes, if the seat is finished leather. Lexol All Leather Cleaner and Weiman Leather Cleaner & Conditioner Spray are both listed for car interiors, and Lexol says to apply lightly on perforated seats so it does not seep into the holes.
How do I remove an ink stain from leather?
Start with a product made for ink. Mohawk Ink Remover is for recent ink marks three to five days old on topcoated leather or vinyl, and Amodex is for ink on dry stains with a paper towel underneath. Do not wet the stain first, since the Amodex maker says water, alcohol, hairspray and acetone can set ink.
Can I use a leather cleaner on vinyl or faux leather?
Leather Honey Leather Cleaner is listed for faux leather and vinyl, and Lexol says it is generally safe on PU or faux leather, though results may differ. Weiman is not effective on vinyl because it cannot penetrate it. Test any product on a hidden area first.
Are these leather cleaners safe around kids and pets?
Keep every product out of reach of children and pets, and read the label before use. Lexol's safety data sheet lists serious eye irritation, so wear eye protection, while the Amodex maker calls its product non-toxic. Rinse the eyes with water if any product gets in them.
Can I use these leather cleaners on suede?
Not Leather Honey or Weiman. Leather Honey says not for use on suede, and Weiman says not to use its spray on suede or nubuck. None of the five picks lists suede as a surface, so look for a product made for it.
How often should I clean leather furniture?
Clean when the surface looks dirty rather than on a fixed schedule. Weiman's FAQ suggests once or twice a month for routine dirt, and Lexol says to clean about every six months.