Leather Care FAQs - The Best Leather Cleaner & Leather Conditioner
More questions? Visit our blog, where we frequently post customer Q&As. If you don't see an answer to your question, we will be happy to respond.
How much Leather Honey Leather Conditioner do I need?
A little Leather Honey goes a long way, so you probably don't need as much as you think. While it certainly depends on the age, condition and type of leather, here are a few examples to give you an idea:
- Pair of brand-new work boots = two ounces
- Jacket = four ounces
- Full-sized couch = 16-32 ounces
- Saddle = a pint
How often will I need to apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner to my leather?
Because Leather Honey Leather Conditioner is water-resistant and contains no solvents, it penetrates deeply into the pores of the leather and stays there. Certain factors, however, will require you to apply condition more frequently. Though Leather Honey Leather Conditioner is water-resistant, it is lighter than water and will float to the surface if the leather is completely saturated with water, at which point you need to re-apply. Direct sunlight is another factor: For example, if you are treating a couch that sits in direct sunlight, you will need to apply conditioner more often than you would a couch that isn't situated near a window. In general, you will know it is time to re-apply if the surface of your leather begins to look chalky or feels dry to the touch.Leather Honey Leather Cleaner can be used whenever your leather needs a quick clean -- in between or before applications of leather conditioner.
Will I need any materials to apply Leather Honey?
You may want to consider having the following on hand for the application process:
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- If your leather is dirty, you will need to clean it with Leather Honey Leather Cleaner.
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- Kill any existing mildew. We like to use a combination of apple cider vinegar and water.
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- Use newspaper to protect your floor.
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- Use a our Lint-Free Application Cloth to apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner to the leather. Alternatively, a brush or sponge can be helpful to get into cracks and crevices, especially if you are treating a large surface area like a couch.
How do I apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner?
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- Protect your floor with newspaper.
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- If it is dirty, clean the surface of your leather with Leather Honey Leather Cleaner (new leather does not need to be cleaned).
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- Let the leather dry fully after cleaning it.
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- Kill any existing mildew using a combination of apple cider vinegar and water.
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- Test the Leather Honey in a small, discreet area of your item first. This is important - because leather is a natural substance, each piece is unique and thus may react differently to conditioners and cleaners.
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- Use our lint-free application cloth to apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner in thin, even coats to the entire surface area of the leather. Remember, a little goes a long way.We recommend that the product be at room temperature or warmer (you can even put it in the microwave or next to a heat source), as it makes it easier to apply.
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- Allow time for the Leather Honey to absorb a minimum of two hours, but preferably overnight -- and wipe off any excess with the lint-free cloth.
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- Let dry.
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- Repeat as many times as necessary.
How long does it take to apply?
This depends on the size of the item that you are treating. It takes less than a minute to apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner to a pair of boots, but could take up to an hour for a large couch. Because you won't need to re-apply very often, our opinion is that whatever time you put in is worth it, and remember: A little Leather Honey goes a long way!
Does Leather Honey Leather Conditioner clean leather?
No. To clean leather, you'll need to first use Leather Honey Leather Cleaner.
Your bottle says to apply to "clean" leather. How would you recommend I clean my old leather?
We recommend using Leather Honey Leather Cleaner, which was specifically formulated to work with Leather Honey Leather Conditioner. It gently removes dirt, grime and oils from soiled leather. Please allow cleaned leather to dry completely before applying conditioner.
Why would I want to apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner to new leather?
Because you spend a lot on your leather items, our philosophy is that you might as well protect them from the wear and tear that often affects untreated leather. Applying Leather Honey to your new leather items - be it a gorgeous new pair of boots or a leather couch - will make them softer, more flexible, last longer and look better, right from the start. Be sure to spot test first - some new leather, particularly leather car seats, may be factory-treated with a silicone sealer. If that's the case, the Leather Honey may not absorb until the leather is a bit more "worn."
Does Leather Honey Leather Conditioner prevent mildew and mold?
Leather Honey prevents mildew by creating a seal between leather and water. You will want to kill any existing mildew before applying Leather Honey so that you don't seal it in.
Do you have a recommended application cloth?
We sell a Lint-Free Application Cloth, which can be used to apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner or Leather Honey Leather Cleaner (though we recommend using a separate cloth for each).
Is it possible to apply too much Leather Honey Leather Conditioner to my leather?
Leather Honey deeply penetrates leather and stays there. Therefore, while applying too much Leather Honey won't be harmful, try to apply in thin, even coats without over-saturating the leather. Since it does not evaporate or disappear, over saturated pores will continue to excrete the product, which means you'll need to wipe the surface until there is no longer excess.
How long does Leather Honey Leather Conditioner last on the shelf?
Leather Honey lasts indefinitely, because it doesn't evaporate. We've had customers tell us they've kept a bottle on the shelf for at least ten years, and the product still works great. It lasts longer than the ink on the label!
Will Leather Honey Leather Conditioner change the color of the leather?
Leather Honey will deepen the brown of naturally tanned leather, but it very often comes back to its natural color. Please note that any leather conditioner that actually works will slightly change the color of naturally tanned leather, because it fully penetrates the pores. This is one reason why we suggest spot-testing by applying a small amount of Leather Honey to a hidden area on your item. We've found that most customers don't notice a change in color - and those who do often like the slightly deeper tone better!
Can I use Leather Honey products on suede?
No, Leather Honey products are not recommended for suede.
Can I use Leather Honey products on colored leather?
Absolutely! Leather Honey does not interfere with the dyes or change the color of dyed leather. However, Leather Honey Leather Conditioner will slightly darken some untreated leather, so be sure to test it on a small "hidden" area if you are concerned.
Are Leather Honey products safe to use on all leather? Vegetable and chrome-tanned? Napped leather? Suede? Glove soft leather? What about leather from alligator, reptile, eel, lizard, snake or ostrich? Vinyl or simulated leather?
Over the years, we've had many customers buy Leather Honey for all different types of leather. We've heard that it brings out the colors of exotic leather and gives it a glossy sheen, but we're not sure if it protects those types of leather as much. Leather Honey is not recommended for suede, simulated leathers or vinyl.
Are Leather Honey products toxic to children and pets?
Leather Honey is non-toxic. We do recommend that you keep it out of the hands of children, because if spilled on the carpet, it is difficult to clean.
What's Leather Honey Leather Conditioner made of?
Leather Honey is an age-old family invention and we prefer not to reveal the contents, for obvious reasons. However, if you have specific questions about the contents, please don't hesitate to call or email and we will be happy to share what we can.
Do You Have Safety Data Sheets?
Yes, our leather conditioner and leather cleaner have MSDS documents that you can download:
Leather Honey contains no known hazardous ingredients in our products.
Is Leather Honey Leather Conditioner sticky? What do I do if it leaves a residue?
Leather Honey is not sticky, and if it leaves a residue after application, simply wipe it off with a lint-free cloth. Although Leather Honey is named "Honey" because of its color and "look," it is not sticky like honey.
What forms of payment do you accept?
You can buy Leather Honey online with your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit or debit cards and we also accept PayPal. You can also send a check (please don't forget to include the cost of shipping) to 1640 Darke Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
I have several allergies. Should I worry about being allergic to Leather Honey products?
Leather Honey is non-toxic and thus shouldn't irritate the skin, eyes or nose. However, if you have allergies or sensitive skin, we would recommend wearing gloves to keep the product from touching your skin and being cautious about applying the product to leather items that make direct contact with your skin. Please call or email us if you have any specific questions about allergens.
Where is Leather Honey located and how is my order shipped?
Leather Honey is manufactured, bottled and distributed in the USA. In fact, it is still made where it was originally invented in the 1960s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Leather Honey is hand bottled, carefully packaged in recycled (and recyclable!) paper and boxes, and shipped from Kearneysville, West Virginia. If the bottle arrives damaged or leaking (which rarely happens), just let us know and we will ship you a new one.
Where can I have Leather Honey shipped to? Do you ship to other countries?
Read about our shipping locations and policies on our Shipping Info page.
Can I use Leather Honey products on Natuzzi, Aniline, or Nubuck leathers?
Yes! Leather Honey works well on all types of leather, with the exception of suede. If you'd like to hear directly from our customers, please go to testimonials related to using Leather Honey on Natuzzi, Aniline, and Nubuck leathers. Please remember that we always suggest doing a spot test in a hidden area before applying Leather Honey to the entire item.
Who can I contact if I'd like to carry Leather Honey in my store or become a distributor?
We are always looking to expand our retail network. If you are interested, please contact us using our online Seller Contact form.
Can I use the same Lint-Free Application Cloth to clean and condition?
We recommend having two cloths on hand, because once the cloth is saturated with Leather Honey Leather Conditioner, it will be difficult to remove. For this reason, we do not recommend washing a cloth that has been used with our leather conditioner with other items. We simply store the used cloth in the ziplock packaging, to be used again and again without washing.
