Leather Cleaners Tested

January 2009

Leather trim is no longer restricted to top-of-the-range cars, but that doesn’t mean it can be treated like man-made upholstery. Hide is a natural product – so harsh chemicals are out. A specialist cleaner is required that can not only shift ingrained grime and stains, but also protect the natural oils. We tested 12 to see which does the job best.

The Test

Chocolate, squash, cola and ballpoint ink were left on our tan leather test seat for a few weeks before we tackled them. We looked not only for the progress on each stain, but also how easy the products were to use. With delicate surfaces, it’s essential the cleaner goes only where it’s needed. We also liked those that included a conditioner to revive the hide, as it removes the need to apply one separately. As ever with cleaning products, price was a key factor.

Verdict

The Turtle Wax Platinum Leather Cleaner and Conditioner has moved one step up the podium from 2008 to take the honours this time round. Great results in all our tests, good consistency and excellent value for money were key to its success. Last year’s winner dropped to second place, although this was still a great result for Simoniz Leather Care Cream. While it costs less than our champ, it isn’t quite as powerful. LTT’s Leather Care Auto Ultra was the best cleaner on test, but that high price counted against it – even if the foam lasts longer than the 150ml pack suggests.

Top 3

1. Turtle Wax Plat. Leather Cleaner and Conditioner
2. Simoniz Leather Care Cream
3. LTT Leather Care Auto Ultra 150

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