Gear How to Clean All of Your Leather — Moto Jackets, Boots, Saddles, Car Seats, and MoreA $40 kit from Leather Honey and some easy-to-follow instructions can turn a raggedy slab of leather into a spiffy head-turner.

Words Iron & Air Staff

Whether it’s your car seats, bike saddles, a Barcalounger, or moto gear, the leather you own is bound to need TLC from time to time. From scratches and scuffs on a bike dismount to dirt and grime from running errands on litter-covered streets, knicks and stains are inevitable.

Yes, sometimes these battle scars give your leather jacket or boots character — but they can also be determiental to your leather’s health. Let it go for too long and a material that can last a lifetime gets sent to an early grave.

The good news is that showing your leather respect doesn’t take much time or money. One highly recommended option is the complete leather kit from Leather Honey ($40). The brand has been around since the late ’60s and has built quite a reputation. Their affordable kit comes with eight ounces of leather conditioner and cleaner and two applicator cloths. (Note: You’re not supposed to use either product on suede, but vinyl, rubber, plastic, and faux leather get the green light.)

Leather Honey’s cleaner and conditioner use non-toxic, all-natural ingredients that claim to provide up to six months of protection after application. (Of course, that’s on you. If you polish up your car seats only to immediately spill a grande macchiato, you might want to get the Leather Honey kit out again.)

While the brand’s website provides a detailed version of how to clean leather on their website, here are the CliffsNotes:

Spot test an area to make sure the product won’t ruin whatever leather product you’re cleaning.
Use a lint-free cloth to get rid of any soiled areas.
Drop a quarter-size drop of leather cleaner on the cloth, rub it all over sans elbow grease, and let dry for at least two hours.
Buff the newly cleaned and conditioned leather with a dry lint-free cloth, step back, and wait for the compliments to roll in.