Leather Conditioners

Leather conditioners put back the moisture that heat, sun and years of use take out of leather, keeping seats soft and less prone to creasing and cracking on the bolsters. Alongside conditioners from CarPro, NowRevive, Car-Chem, 303 and Sonax, the range has two that clean and condition in one step: VP-UK Leather Clean & Condition and the Sonax XTREME Leather Care Foam.

How to choose

• One step or two: a clean-and-condition product suits regular upkeep on seats that are only lightly dirty. Grubby leather should be cleaned first with a product from Leather Cleaners, then conditioned.
• Cream or lotion: a cream such as Car-Chem Hide or NowRevive is thicker and is worked in with an applicator; CarPro Lotion is thinner and spreads more easily over a full set of seats.
• For a barrier against dye transfer and wear rather than softness, see Leather Protection; the Sonax PROFILINE cream here is made to do both.

Good to know

• Use a thin coat and buff off any excess with a clean microfibre. Factory leather has a satin look, and leftover conditioner feels greasy and can mark clothes.

Should I use leather conditioner in my car?

Yes, if you want the seats to stay soft. Heat, sun and use dry leather out, and a conditioner puts that moisture back, which helps stop creasing and cracking on the bolsters. Clean grubby leather first.

How do I take care of leather in my car?

Clean it when it gets grubby with a leather cleaner, condition it with a thin coat, and add a leather protector where jeans rub, to guard against dye transfer and wear.

Related: Leather, Plastic & Trim, Leather Cleaners, Leather Protection, Leather Brushes. Popular brands here: CarPro, VP-UK Detailing, Sonax, 303.