ILC - Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner for Leather Cleaning and Care

Leather University™

Chemical Guys
Leather Cleaner

Picture of by Dan Concord

by Dan Concord

Author, speaker, teacher, and educator on leather working tools and techniques.

Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner for Leather Cleaning and Care

Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner is a pH-balanced leather cleaner that claims to work well on most types of leather. It’s available in a wipe and a spray-on format. In this article, we’ll learn a little more about the manufacturer and the ingredients. Then, we’ll do a sample leather cleaning so you can see the product in action and evaluate the results firsthand. With that, let’s dive right in.

Key Notes:

Chemical Guys is renowned for producing high-quality chemical products for cleaning leather.
Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner contains primarily water and effective cleaning agents like sodium silicate and sodium benzene sulfate, making it suitable for various leather cleaning tasks.
The wipe and spray formats of Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner facilitate easy application, effectively lifting dirt and grime to restore leather’s cleanliness and appearance.

Manufacturer History

Chemical Guys was founded in 1968 in Los Angeles, California. Its founders were interested in making the highest-quality chemicals for auto-related needs. They succeeded, and the company has continued to grow in the U.S. and internationally. Today, they are renowned for their innovative products and dedication to customer satisfaction.

Product Ingredients

The ingredients in Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner consist of approximately 85% water. It includes around 8% sodium silicate, a crystalline compound commonly used as a base in dish and laundry detergents for its bleaching properties. Additionally, there is about 10% sodium benzene sulfate, a sulfuric acid sodium salt.

The product also contains less than 0.5% ethylene glycol butyl, a solvent found in household products like spot removers and cosmetics. This compound is also used in surface coatings, paints, metal and household cleaners, chemical production, brake fluids, and printing inks. Lastly, there is a small amount of fragrance added.

If you’re looking for a purely natural and gentle cleaner, this may or may not be the ideal choice, depending on your cleaning needs. However, for many applications, this product could be highly effective.

Application Setup

To start using Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner, I’ll first lay down a mat to protect our surface. Next, I’ll take a dirty sample and place it alongside a clean one for comparison, allowing us to see the cleaner’s effectiveness.

Next, place the dirty sample on the mat. You can either use the spray cleaner, applying it to a soft cotton rag or a cosmetic sponge, both of which are gentle and absorbent, making them ideal for cleaning.
For this demonstration, I’ll use the handy wipes to see how well they work.

Using Chemical Guys Leather Cleaning Wipes

Step 1: Prepare the Wipes

Open the container of cleaning wipes.
Pull out a wipe.
Close the container to keep the remaining wipes moist.

Step 2: Start Cleaning

Notice that the wipe has cleaner on it, as indicated by the bubbles.
Begin cleaning the leather using circular motions.
As you clean, you will see dirt being pushed up and collected towards the edges of the wipe.

Step 3: Rotate the Cloth

Rotate the cloth frequently to avoid rubbing dirt particles back into the leather.
Continue cleaning in small sections, rotating the cloth to expose clean areas.

Step 4: Use a Second Cloth if Needed

If the first cloth becomes too dirty, grab a second clean cloth.
Continue cleaning with the new cloth.

Step 5: Observe the Progress

As you clean, you should see less and less dirt being lifted from the leather.
Compare the cleaned area to the starting point to see the difference.
Notice that the leather appears cleaner and the amount of dirt coming off decreases.

Step 6: Finish Cleaning

Continue cleaning until you have covered the entire area.
Ensure that most or all of the dirt has been removed from the leather.

Step 7: Evaluate the Results

Assess the cleaned leather to ensure it looks satisfactory.
Confirm that the cleaning process has effectively removed dirt and grime.

Reviewing Instructions

While the product dries, I’ll take the time to review the important instructions to ensure we follow the process correctly. The additional ingredients listed on the back of the wipes might also be useful.

Peel back the seal to open the pouch.
Pull out a wipe from the pouch and use it to clean the surface. Repeat if necessary.
If needed, buff away any excess product with a microfiber towel and discard the towel after use.
Always test on a small area first.
Reseal the pouch after use to maintain the wipes’ effectiveness.

Results and Final Steps

Using a soft cloth, wipe away any excess product. The white cloth should come up basically clean, indicating that all the dirt and grime has been removed. The clarity of the cloth is a testament to the cleaner’s effectiveness.

As the surface dries, it will lighten up and closely match the original state. You’ll notice the color returning to its natural shade, blending seamlessly with the rest of the leather. From my experience, the results were promising and showed a significant improvement in my leather. The leather looks refreshed and well-maintained, extending its longevity and preserving its quality.

Conclusion

Overall, Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner proves to be a reliable choice for effectively cleaning various types of leather. With its easy-to-use wipe and spray formats, coupled with a pH-balanced formula, it efficiently lifts dirt and grime while maintaining the leather’s integrity. Whether for automotive, home, or personal leather items, this product offers a straightforward cleaning solution backed by Chemical Guys’ reputation for quality and innovation in chemical products.

And there you have it. Until next time.

Picture of About Author Dan Concord

About Author Dan Concord

Dan Concord is a professional leather crafter with 15 years of design experience and expertise. He is founder of the successful Liberty Leather Goods studio, and also a published author, speaker, teacher, and educator on leather working tools and techniques. He lives in the USA.