The Alchemy of Restoration – Issue 5
7/07/26
The Chemistry of Clean, Part 1:
5 Types of Leather Cleaners and the One You Will Need For Routine Maintenance
So now that you’ve saved your leather from the closet, let’s talk about how to actually clean it.
Saddle soap is a legendary tool, but it isn’t a one-size-fits all cure. With so many products on the market, matching the right cleaner to the right leather product is pure chemisrty.
Don’t worry if science isn’t your subject. Let’s explore together.
Here is a list of 5 types of leather cleaners. Over the next several weeks we’re going to dive deeper into each type and exactly when to use them.
Today, we’ll start with the one you will probably need the most: pH-Balanced Liquid Cleaners.
The Leather Cleaner Spectrum
1. pH-Balanced Liquid Cleaners
2. Saddle Soap
3. Foam/Mousse Cleaners
4. Suede & Nubuck Erasers
5. Solvent Cleaners/Rubbing Alcohol
1. pH-Balanced Liquid Cleaners (The Daily Driver)
This is the type of cleaner most of us leather connoisseurs will find most useful, effective, and safe.
Today, we will focus solely on these so you can get a firm understanding of how they work, what you use them on, and what are some brands to look for when shopping.
• What it is: Mild, water-based formulas engineered to match leather’s natural, slightly acidic pH (4.5 – 5.0).
• Best Used For: Routine maintenance on luxury bags, car interiors, and fine jackets.
• The Alchemy: They lift surface dirt safely without stripping internal oils or changing the texture.
Three to Try
1. Lexol Leather Cleaner (The Heritage Formula)
• Why it works: It’s a clean formula that matches leather’s natural chemistry, so it won’t strip or dry out the hide. Instead of harsh chemicals, it uses gentle, deep-cleaning agents to lift trapped dirt right out of the pores without leaving a sticky film behind.
• Best for: Car interiors, leather furniture, and everyday smooth goods
• Cost: $12.99 – $35.00+ (check Ace Hardware)
2. Bickmore Bick 1 Leather Cleaner (The Restoration Standard)
• Why it works: Formulated specifically to clean aggressively without stripping essential oils or altering the leather’s natural color. It is highly effective at prepping old hides for conditioning.
• Best for: Premium cowboy boots, saddles, and rugged apparel
• Cost: $9.49 – $14.99+ (check Chewy.com)
3. Angelus Leather Cleaner (The Artisan’s Choice)
• Why it works: A gentle, clear liquid engineered to lift surface grease and soil completely away without damaging delicate topcoat finishes or factory paints.
• Best for: Fine leather sneakers, custom leather art, and luxury handbags
• Cost: $6.75 – 11.99+ (check Tandy Leather for the kit)
At Goddess we only make bags using full-grain and top-grain leathers.
We use water-based dyes, sealers, and adhesives.
Although all of the cleaners listed above are great for cleaning leather handbags, we use Angelus for any of our cleaning projects.
Try all of them to figure out what works for you and your leather needs.
⚠️ The One Golden Rule of Leather Care
Never use household dish soap or laundry detergent on leather.
These are engineered to strip grease from plates and fabrics. If applied to a leather, they dissolve the internal “fat liquors” that keep the leather supple, leading to irreversible cracking.
Next Time:
Now that you know the rules for your daily driver, we need to talk about the most famous – and most misunderstood – tool in the garage. We will be diving deep into the legend of Saddle Soap, exploring when it is a lifesaver, and the precise moment it becomes a liability for your fine leather.
Until next time, keep it balanced.
Meet the Maker
Hi, it’s Chandra (with some help from my son, Alex). I started working with leather over thirteen years ago. It goes without saying, I‘ve come a long way. I am even more excited about the future of Goddess. From working with family by my side , to finding ways to use leather from animals not killed for their hides, to finding earth friendly ways to have our hides tanned. Imagine Guilt-Free Goddess Goods! Join us on our journey.
Don’t forget to check out our website. We create one-of-a-kind handbags using water-based dyes and adhesives, made from a full-grain and top-grain leathers only.
We offer free shipping on all orders over $100 and Afterpay at checkout so you can break up the payments.
