It makes even old leather look (and feel) new again.
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People Are Obsessed with Leather Honey—Here’s What it Cleans
If you’re wondering how to clean your couch’s worn-in leather or make your best winter boots last for years, the answer may be just a click away. That’s because there’s an inexpensive product that thousands upon thousands of reviewers have become obsessed with. Amazon’s bestselling Leather Honey, an easy-to-use leather conditioner, has nearly 60,000 user reviews, with the majority calling it “magic” for all sorts of leather goods. At such a modest price point, we’re betting you’ll find endless uses for it, too.
What is Leather Honey?
This non-toxic leather cleaner and conditioner was first formulated in 1968 and has been made in the USA ever since. Over 50 years later, Leather Honey is now one of the most popular products people use to clean leather of all types and sizes—especially since a little goes a long way. A single eight-ounce bottle is enough to clean a large leather sofa, a whole car interior, and dozens of shoes several times over.
Users say using a dab or two on their favorite leather goods restores even old, worn-in pieces to new-feeling glory. It’s their new go-to preparation method to store suedes and leather goods. Thanks to the brand’s water-repellent recipe, its non-sticky, non-greasy formula even protects leather all year from snow and rain.
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Leather Honey Leather Conditioner
With nearly 60,000 verified reviews on Amazon, this leather conditioner has an overwhelmingly positive 4.5 stars (out of five). It's perfect for footwear, furniture, car interiors and anything else made of leather.
Pros:
- Can make old leather look brand-new
- Incredibly well-reviewed
- Works on all kinds of leather, including furniture and footwear
Cons:
- Only works on leather
- Can leave a sticky residue
How to use Leather Honey
One little bottle of Leather Honey can do everything from car interior cleaning (if the seats are made of leather, of course) to cleaning shoes, favorite recliner chairs, jackets, and more. The brand’s viscous formula actually penetrates the leather’s surface to hydrate each individual fiber. That means each application lasts six or more months, and your leather lasts for years without worry.
Applying it couldn’t be easier. Just put a quarter-size drop of Leather Honey Conditioner on a lint-free applicator cloth, spot test in a discreet area, and allow your test area to dry. Then, completely coat your leather in a thin, even layer of conditioner. It’s best used at room temperature or slightly warm so it’s easier to spread.
How we tested it
I applied Leather Honey to all the leather goods I could find. That included indoor- and outdoor-friendly gear, like a couch, boots, my car interior, a jacket and more. I tried to use it on a variety of leather conditions, too—meaning both newer and more worn-down varieties— as well as qualities (furniture leather, for instance, is softer than boot leather) to see if it performed better on a particular type or condition of leather. I’m happy to say it performed exceptionally well across every use case.
FAQ
What are the best practices for applying leather conditioner to ensure even coverage and effective absorption?
“Make sure the area is fully cleaned, free of dust and lose dirt before starting,” says Richard Hutchins, founder of the Leather Repair Company. “Apply thinly and evenly over the leather one panel at a time.”
What are the long-term benefits of conditioning leather regularly?
“Protecting or conditioning your leather regularly will prolong its life,” says Hutchins. “It will keep it in the best condition possible while protecting it from stains.”
Is it important to get a non-toxic conditioner?
“It is imperative to get a nontoxic conditioner,” says Hutchins. “Apart from being beneficial to the environment, it is much better for the leather itself. Leather is a natural material, so always use natural products on leather.”
Why you should trust us
Bryce Gruber is an expert in gift ideas, shopping, and e-commerce—including product testing and writing reviews. You’ve likely seen her work across a variety of women’s lifestyle and parenting outlets, as well as on TV shows. Along with her product journalism and shopping content here on Reader’s Digest, her work has also appeared in MSN, AOL, Today, Martha Stewart Living and many more.
For this article, we consulted Richard Hutchins, a seasoned leather expert with over 39 years of experience. He founded the Leather Repair Company, which has grown into an internationally recognized brand.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Reader’s Digest, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
What other reviewers had to say
“I’ve used it on my leather couches, and it works amazingly well,” shares verified Amazon purchaser ASD1. “I am so pleased! I’m super sensitive to chemicals and oils, and I’ve taken naps on my couch already with zero reactions.”
“It is by far the most effective leather restorer I have ever tried,” says Carol, another verified Amazon purchaser, who gave Leather Honey a five-star review. “It added a nice, supple glow to my leather furniture.”
“This conditioner is excellent,” says Teri in her verified five-star review on Walmart. “[It] makes old, worn-out looking leather look almost new again.”
Where to buy Leather Honey
A full-size, eight-ounce bottle of Leather Honey sells for $28 on Amazon. One bottle should last at least a year or two. You can also buy it from Walmart or Leather Honey’s website.
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Leather Honey Leather Conditioner
With just a dab, this non-toxic, water-repellent leather conditioner will have your leather goods looking (and feeling) like new. It's great for all colors and conditions—and it even works on white leather.
