ILC - Lexol Leather Cleaner for Leather Cleaning and Care

Leather University™

Lexol Leather Cleaner
for Leather Cleaning

Picture of by Dan Concord

by Dan Concord

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

Lexol Leather Cleaner for Leather Cleaning and Care

Lexol Leather Cleaner had been one of, if not the best, leather cleaners around for decades. It was gentle, effective, pH balanced, and a reliable and trusted brand, even for vintage and older leathers. Users began to mention that their results started to be a little bit different, and there might be some reasons why.

We will review the manufacturer’s history and formula and then demonstrate the product by cleaning some leather step-by-step so you can see exactly how it works.

Key Notes:

Lexol Leather Cleaner has been trusted for decades for its gentle, effective, and pH-balanced formula, but recent changes in ownership and manufacturing may have altered its consistency.
Try to learn the ingredients of the Lexol product you’re buying to understand more precisely what you’re getting, as the original formula may have changed.
To use Lexol Leather Cleaner, apply it with a damp cloth, wipe away dirt, and dry the leather before conditioning to maintain its quality.

Lexol Company History

Lexol’s origins can be traced back to its establishment in 1933 in New Jersey, USA, where it first gained acclaim for its exceptional leather conditioner. As its popularity grew, Summit Industries, based in Georgia, acquired the brand in 1977. In 1984, they introduced the Lexol Leather Cleaner. Like the conditioner, this cleaner became really popular too.

On May 11, 2015, Summit Industries sold the brand to American Covers Incorporated, based in Utah. A year later, on May 24, 2016, American Covers was bought by Energizer Holdings, a prominent company known for its batteries and automotive products based in Missouri. They’re also a publicly owned company with the biggest shareholders being large asset management companies also based in the USA. So, there’s a bit of digging into where it came from and how it’s evolved in terms of ownership over the years.

Product Details

Now, let’s check out the product. Lexol Leather Cleaner was one of the best. It was gentle and effective while owned by Summit Industries. Their Material Safety Datasheet mentioned that as of 2010, no hazardous components were in the cleaner formulation. Since its inception, it has been made in the USA. As of 2021, the Energizer Holdings Material Safety Data Sheet lists a few ingredients, and these might be different from what was in the original formula.

Also, around 2019, the cleaner’s branding was changed, and users began to notice on the packaging that it mentioned it was being made in China. It’s possible that the formula has changed even again since then. So, as always, try to learn the ingredients of the product you’re buying to understand more precisely what you’re getting.

Application Setup

Let’s observe the product in action and see the results. First, I’ll lay down a mat to protect my workspace and set out my leather samples side by side. One is dirty for cleaning, and the other is a clean sample for comparison. Then, we’ll read the instructions.

Directions: Test on a small hidden area before each use. The type and condition of any leather can create varying results upon each application. This is a great idea, as there are thousands of different combinations of leathers, coatings, and tanning processes.

Step 1: Shake well. Apply to a clean, damp cloth or let’s all applicator sponge.
Step 2: Rub briskly onto the leather to clean the entire surface.
Step 3: Use a damp cloth to wipe away foam and dirt and towel dry. Opt for a soft cotton cloth that’s lint-free and gentle enough not to scratch the leather. Another option is a cosmetic sponge. These are little soft foam sponges. They’ll be really soft on your leather and also absorb the cleaner as you use them.

Once you’ve tested the leather cleaner and gathered all the necessary supplies, it’s time to start cleaning.

Cleaning Leather With Lexol Leather Cleaner

Here’s a step-by-step guide for cleaning leather with Lexol Leather Cleaner:

Prepare a Damp Cloth: Dampen a cloth slightly. Ensure it’s not too wet to avoid saturating the leather. Use distilled water to prevent introducing minerals or impurities into the leather.
Shake the Lexol Leather Cleaner: Shake the bottle well to mix the contents thoroughly.
Apply Cleaner to Cloth: Pour a small amount of Lexol Leather Cleaner onto the damp cloth. Spread it evenly across the cloth to avoid concentration in one spot.
Begin Cleaning: Gently wipe the leather surface with the cloth, focusing on small areas at a time. If the leather is heavily soiled, you may notice dirt and grime lifting off.
Avoid Rubbing In Dirt: Move the cloth around to clean different areas, preventing dirt from being rubbed back into the leather.
Switch to Clean Areas of Cloth: As the cloth picks up dirt, switch to a clean section to continue cleaning effectively without reintroducing dirt.
Thorough Cleaning: Take your time to ensure all dirt and grime are removed. Continue until the cloth shows no more soil coming off the leather.
Inspect for Cleanliness: Check the cloth for any remaining dirt or discoloration. When the leather appears clean, and the cloth stays clean, you’ve effectively removed surface dirt and grime.
Dry: After allowing it to dry, you should be left with a really nice, clean piece of leather.
Condition: Once, the leather is dry, the next step is to choose your favorite conditioner and add that in.

Conclusion

That’s Lexol Leather Cleaner. It has maintained a reputation for decades as a gentle, effective, and pH-balanced solution for leather care. However, changes in ownership and manufacturing practices may have impacted its consistency and formula. Remember to always check the latest formulation and test on a small hidden area before full application to ensure it meets your expectations. This way, you can keep your leather items looking great and lasting longer.

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.