A Leather conditioner is designed to nourish the fibers of natural leather to prevent leather from loosing its natural oils. But sometimes getting the wrong kind of conditioner can leave gummy and sticky residue on your leather.
So for this article I did an in-depth research on the best Non sticky leather conditioners that can help you give your leather items the very best conditioning.
So what are the best non sticky leather conditioners? The best non sticky leather conditioners are:
- Leather Honey Conditioner (Overall Best Non Sticky Leather Conditioner)
- Bickmore Bick 4 (Best Non Sticky Leather Conditioner For Smooth Finished Leather)
- Cobbler’s Choice (Best All-Natural Non Sticky Leather Conditioner For Shoes & Boots)
- Bickmore Bick 5 (Best Non Sticky Leather Conditioner For Large Items)
- Howard Leather Conditioner (Best Scented Leather Conditioner)
I’m not trying to convince you to spend more money. I’m trying to SAVE you money because if you get a decent conditioner, you’ll be happy with it after you use it and will make your leather goods last for years.
Before we head over to the details of the best non sticky leather conditioners, we are going to take a look at what leather conditioners are, a guide on how to buy a good non sticky leather conditioner, and finish off with details on the above listed best non sticky leather conditioners.
What is a Leather Conditioner?
The leather conditioner is made to be easily absorbed into the fibers of leather to primarily oil or replace lost oils. But now a days, it’s common to find leather conditioners that prior to oiling the leather also cleaning it first.
This is because the chemicals found in these kinds of conditioners are able to infiltrate any dirt, debris, or grime on leather products and safely removes them.
Another important aspect of the leather conditioner is to preserve it and prevent it from drying out. You would want your leather products to have consistent smoothness, suppleness, and flexibility.
Types of Leather Conditioners
You can get leather conditioners in 3 basic forms: Conditioning Creams, Conditioning Oils, and conditioning waxes.
Conditioning Creams: As the name implies, a conditioning cream will come in the form of a lotion. A good conditioning cream will only keep the fibers of the leather supple and provide lasting protection on the surface of the leather.
Conditioning Oils: These types of conditioner such as lanolin, neats foot Oil are age old oil conditioner known to be used to soften. However, getting the wrong kind of oil can cause the leather to become rancid.
Conditioning Waxes: Wax conditioners typically contains wax substances and do not penetrate deeply into the fibers of the leather but renders it water resistant and gives it a nice surface protection.
Best Non Sticky Leather Conditioner Buying Guide
It’s generally easy to pick out a leather conditioner for your leather products but a bit tricky when it comes to getting the specific kinds that are non sticky. Here are a couple of things you can look out for to help you make an informed decision in choosing a non sticky leather conditioner and a great one as a whole.
A leather conditioner must only moisturize your leather products and nothing else. It’s not supposed to render the leather item sticky, or darken it — at least if that’s not what you’re aiming for.
It’s primarily supposed to preserve, condition, recondition, and protect the leather — making it better than before you applied your conditioner. Here’s what to consider when selecting a leather conditioner that’s non sticky:
Non Sticky Conditioners
Of course this is the first thing we need to figure out since this article is all about getting non sticky or non greasy leather conditioners. Generally, every leather conditioner can result in stickiness on the leather if it’s used excessively to over condition the leather.
As seen above, conditioners comes in 3 basic forms and the leather conditioners from my research that tend to have sticky residue on leather are the conditioning oils especially if you apply an inappropriate oil or inappropriately.
You can Check it out my previous article where I went into details on some of the things that causes leather to become sticky and my recommended remedies.
Cleaning Ability
There are a couple more factors that will interest you to know. When considering the best non sticky leather conditioners. One thing to know is that some conditioners are versatile and will work as cleaners while with other kinds, you will have to get a separate leather cleaner.
Darkening Or Changing the Color of Leather
Another important factor to consider apart from the the leather conditioner leaving a greasy residue on your leather and the versatility of some types of conditioners is the leather conditioner darkening or changing the appearance of your leather.
Generally, most cheap quality leather conditioners will really darken your leather — I mean more than 3 to 4 shades darker that it’s original color. This can be upsetting especially if you do not expect your conditioner to specifically do that to your leather.
However, high quality leather conditioners will not make your leather go darker or only make your leather about a shade darker which often times is gone within a couple of days after the conditioner is applied.
The conditioning creams are great for nourishing and moisturizing leather and will cause minimal or no color change to your treasured leather items.
Leather Conditioner Type
Again! 3 basic forms of leather conditioners as stated above. Wax conditioners, oil conditioners, and cream conditioners. While you can use all of these types of conditioners, you need to choose which ones will be great for you taking into consideration their effects in leather.
The leather conditioners that come in the form of creams and balms are the most easiest to apply and do not darken, leave sticky residue, and are a lot more easy to apply.
Application
Different leather conditioners have different optimal ways of applying them. In order to get the best out of your leather conditioner, you need to know which ones are easy for you to apply and the extra tools it requires.
In some cases, getting a leather conditioner kit will make a lot of sense since you will have everything you will need to Oil your leather all in one place.
Best Non Sticky Leather Conditioner — Reviews
Here’s an in-depth view of my researched list of the best non sticky leather conditioners. I present them in no particular order.
1. Leather Honey Conditioner (Overall Best Non Sticky Leather Conditioner)
The Leather Honey Conditioner is one of the most incredibly popular and widely used leather conditioner for its high quality. It has been around since 1968 and it’s one of the most tried and time-tested brands in the leather care and conditioning space.
The best quality of the Leather Honey Conditioner is that unlike the several other leather conditioners that’s applied once every 2-3 months, one treatment from the Leather Honey conditioner can last over six months.
It protects new leathers and brings old leather articles back to life. You’re going to get the best nourishment from Leather Honey because when applied it sits deeply into the pores of the leather and moisturizes it — giving it a fresh clean look at all times.
It’s hands down one of the best conditioners for all kinds of leather products such as wallets, auto interior, motorcycle leathers, jackets, bags, boots, shoes, gloves, purses, saddles, and so much more
With a very little amount of this conditioner, you will be able to do a lot of condition of your leather goods because a small amount of the leather honey conditioner will go a long way.
Pros:
- Even if you over condition, it will not leave a sticky residue
- Water repellent
- It’s a non toxic and non solvent product
- It’s weather and stain resistant
- It doesn’t contain any silicon
- Has no odor or chemical smell
- Gives leather clean fresh look, feel, and smell
- Makes leather pliable and supple
Cons:
- Not suitable for suede leather items
If you’re interested in this leather conditioner from Leather Honey, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
2. Bickmore Bick 4 (Best Non Sticky Leather Conditioner For Smooth Finished Leather)
The Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner since 1882 has been one of America’s most trusted names when it comes to quality leather care conditioners. Bick 4 is formulated to clean, condition, recondition, polish, and preserve leather all at once.
The Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner is a cream version amongst several different types of leather conditioners and cleaners produced by Bickmore. It’s great for leather goods that see a lot of wear such as sofas, shoes, boots, equestrian equipment, and a lot of different leather products.
It also works great for reconditioning both old and new leather goods. It will restore the softness, breathability, and shine of old leather items and preserve new ones.
The most essential thing about the Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner is that it will not leave any form of sticky or gummy residue or darken your leathers with it’s creamy consistency.
Pros:
- Very easy to use
- Leaves no sticky residue
- Extends the life of leather goods
- It’s wax free so meaning you can do deep lasting leather conditioning with it
- It’s versatile
- Does not darken leather
- Made in the U.S
- It’s Water-resistant
- Works with multiple types of leather
- Simple one-step application process
Cons:
- Has a slight chemical smell
If you’re interested in the Bickmore Bick 4 Leather Conditioner, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
3. Cobbler’s Choice (Best All-Natural Non Sticky Leather Conditioner For Shoes & Boots)
The Cobbler’s Choice Leather conditioner is by far among the best formulated All-Natural Leather conditioners on the market today that’s very safe for you and your leather. Cobbler’s Choice is actually one of the best trusted brands by experts for unbeatable quality and clean ingredients.
It contains triple filtered beeswax that makes this product highly water resistant, a combination of seeds oils that help to nourish and soften your leather, and naturally occurring lipids or fats that helps with the deep penetration and thorough conditioning of the leather. It’s an awesome little scientific work of art.
The Cobbler’s Choice Leather conditioner is great for conditioning, protecting, or restoring leather products.
Pros:
- Leaves no sticky residue
- Moisturizes leather deeply
- It renders or increases the water resistant of leather
- Softens leather nicely
- Very easy to use
- Removes scuffs
- Great for tough boots and shoe break ins
- Doesn’t change the color of the leather
- Made up of all natural ingredients
- Creates a protective layer over the leather
- Made in the U.S.A
Cons:
- Has to be applied in a circular motion to avoid application marks
If you’re interested in the All Natural Cobbler’s Choice leather conditioner, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
4. Bickmore Bick 5 (Best Non Sticky Leather Conditioner For Large Items)
The brand Bickmore yet again makes it to my list with their Bickmore Bick 5 leather conditioner — but this time as the very best non sticky leather conditioner for the surfaces of larger leather items such as sofas, jackets, bags, auto interiors, couches, tack, harness, and many more other leather goods.
It’s a dual effective Leather product specially formulated to clean and condition your leather goods. This leather conditioner comes in a 16 Oz. spray container which will allow you have a wider surface coverage the quickest possible way.
The Bickmore Bick 5 leather conditioner is also great for reconditioning and restoring old or dry leather. It works great for smaller leather items like shoes and and is perfect if you want to do daily maintenance of your leather goods.
Pros:
- It doesn’t leave leather sticky
- Sprayer is easy to apply especially on larger surfaces
- Stays on the leather for long
- Adjustable spray cap
- Made in the U.S.A
- Nourishes deeply
Cons:
- Not suitable for suede and napped leathers
If you’re interested in the Bickmore Bick 5 leather conditioner, you can check it out over here on Amazon!
5. Howard Leather Conditioner (Best Scented Leather Conditioner)
The Howard Leather Conditioner has the best blend of deep nourishing moisturizers and natural waxes that sustains a new consistent look and feel for your items. With this conditioner’s creamy lotion-like consistency, it’s still able to have deep penetration, superior preservation, and protection for smooth leathers.
This leather conditioner typically contains conditioners such as lanolin, neatsfoot oil, coconut oil and aloe vera and protective substances like Brazilian carnauba wax and beeswax. It’s in fact the best oil and wax combo conditioner.
The Howard leather conditioner is one of the best wax conditioners that’s able to naturally revive seriously dried up leather back to a soft, condition without leaving behind greasy or sticky residue.
This leather conditioner is great for couches, shoes, purses, saddles, auto interiors, etc. and it’s able to render leather resistant to cracking, scuffing, and dry rots.
Pros:
- Contains no harmful solvents or silicones
- Made in USA
- Renders a water resistant leather surface
- Resists cracking
- Removes scuffs
- Resits dry rot
- Easy to Use
Cons:
- Not to be used on Suede or Nubuck
- May darken some leathers slightly
If you’re interested in the Howard Leather Conditioner, you can check it out over here on Amazon!