The test procedure

TYPES

▶ We’ve split the products into two categories. Cleaners and conditioners. Where there are multi-purpose products we’ve used our judgment and categorised them accordingly.

SMELL

▶ Depending on your view, smell can be important. Some prefer a neutral product with no or little odour whereas others like a product that smells like leather! We actually think that a leather conditioner that can enhance or reinstate a leather smell is a winner. Ten points available.

EASE OF APPLICATION

▶ Pretty obvious this one but we’ve awarded extra points for products that are easy to apply and are absorbed into the leather rather than sit on the surface requiring a load of elbow grease to wipe off. Ten points available.

EASE OF REMOVAL

▶ Another obvious one, but this is important as you don’t want to be working a product into the leather for ages. Ten points available.

RESULT

▶ Once applied to the leather surface, how does the seat look. Hopefully, it isn’t shiny or greasy. We were looking for a satin, smooth and obviously moisturised surface and if they can help enhance or restore that luxurious smell of leather then that’s a big bonus too. Ten points available.

LONGEVITY

▶ Unlike ceramic car wax you can’t really expect a leather conditioner to last for months but if it only lasts days – which some of these did – it is clearly a false economy. Ten points for this one.

PRICE PER ml

▶ This category illustrates value for money. It’s a good indication but doesn’t always translate to outright quality and with leather care products if an expensive product is better than a cheaper one then that’s a fact.

PACKAGING

▶ A subjective category as we all have different ideas on a nice label. Ten points available for this category.