Product Overview
Actichem Leather Conditioner is a stable cream formulated to restore leather to a soft, supple appearance and feel. It replenishes the natural oils in the leather, which is what keeps it flexible — and flexible leather resists scratches, cuts and scuffing far better than dry leather does.
Conditioning is the second half of the job, not an optional extra. Any cleaning removes some of the surface oils along with the soil. Leather that is cleaned and never conditioned looks excellent on the day and starts drying from that day on. The cracking that appears two years later began with a clean that was never finished.
Which pack size do you need?
This is the 5 litre pack, for operators doing leather work regularly. The 500 ml squeeze bottle is the practical size for the truck — conditioning uses small quantities applied to a towel.
Benefits
- Restores older leather — gentle conditioning agents replenish the natural oils, returning suppleness to leather that has dried out.
- Mild pH — conditions without shifting the leather’s own chemistry. Leather is a protein and is damaged by both strong alkalis and strong acids.
- Easy to control — the creamy texture stays where you put it without running or drying out, which matters on vertical panels.
- Part of a two-part system — cleaner then conditioner. The system exists so that neither product has to be aggressive.
- Verified non-hazardous — see the safety section below. That is genuinely unusual in our range and worth knowing.
Application areas and surface suitability
Suitable for domestic and commercial leather upholstery, table coverings and garments.
Important — leather type matters
- Recommended for pigment-coated leather — the finished, sealed leather used in most furniture and vehicle interiors.
- Not recommended for suede or nubuck. These are unfinished open-nap leathers. A conditioning cream will mat the nap and darken them permanently.
- Aniline and semi-aniline leathers absorb readily. Test first and use less than you think you need.
Pre-inspect the leather for cracking, stains, cuts, burns or other damage and show the customer before you start.
How to Use
Always pre-test in an inconspicuous location for substrate sensitivity and dye stability.
Dilution
Ready to use. Do not dilute.
Application
- Clean the leather first with Actichem Leather Cleaner, and let it dry. Conditioning over soil seals the soil in.
- Apply a small quantity of Leather Conditioner to a clean, damp, white terry towel.
- Work a small area at a time. Spread the conditioner gently over the area.
- Allow 5 minutes for penetration. This is the step most often skipped, and skipping it means the conditioner sits on the surface and gets buffed straight back off.
- Wipe away the excess and buff to a dry finish with a clean towel.
Tip: do not overuse. Repeated light applications beat one heavy application. Excess conditioner left on the surface stays tacky, attracts soil, and can transfer to clothing — which is the complaint that brings you back.
Safety
Verified non-hazardous — and we checked.
Actichem’s safety data sheet for AP489, version 2.4 issued 19 September 2025, records Leather Conditioner as a non-hazardous chemical and non-dangerous goods. No signal word. No hazard statements. No poisons schedule. pH 7. The sheet states that all ingredients are non-hazardous.
We are being explicit about this because we have been correcting a great many pages in this catalogue that claimed “non-hazardous” when the safety data sheet said otherwise. This one is correct. We read the sheet and confirmed it rather than assuming.
Non-hazardous does not mean you should be careless with it. Keep it out of your eyes, wash it off your skin, and do not drink it. But it is one of the gentlest products in our range, and if you are conditioning leather in an occupied home, in an aged care facility, or around someone with chemical sensitivities, that is worth knowing.
First aid
Eyes. Wash out immediately with water.
Skin. Flush skin and hair with running water.
Swallowed. Do NOT induce vomiting. Seek medical advice.
Specifications
| Product code | AP489.05 |
| Pack size | 5 litres |
| Product type | Neutral conditioning cream for pigment-coated leather |
| Appearance | Light tan cream. Actichem’s SDS describes an opaque blue liquid — see supplier note below. |
| Odour | Spanish leather |
| Dilution | Ready to use — do not dilute |
| pH | 7 (Actichem SDS). Our records state 6–7, which is consistent. |
| WHS classification | Non-hazardous chemical |
| Signal word | None — not applicable |
| Hazard statements | None |
| Dangerous goods | Non-dangerous goods |
| Poisons schedule | None applicable |
| Not suitable for | Suede and nubuck |
| SDS referenced | Version 2.4, issued 19 September 2025 |
A note on the appearance description
Actichem’s SDS describes AP489 as an opaque blue liquid. The product we receive and sell is a light tan cream, and our records have described it that way for years. We have asked Actichem to confirm whether Section 9 relates to a different presentation or simply needs updating. We would rather flag the difference than publish one and ignore the other.
Related Products
- Actichem Leather Conditioner 500 ml squeeze bottle — the same product in the truck-sized pack.
- Actichem Leather Cleaner — use before conditioning. Classified WARNING with H319.
Further Reading
The Cleaning of Leather, by Actichem — worth reading before your first leather job.
Safety Data Sheet
Actichem Leather Conditioner safety data sheet (AP489, version 2.4, 19 September 2025)
SKU: AP489.05
Not sure whether the leather in front of you is pigmented, aniline or nubuck? Send us a photo before you start. Leather is one of the few substrates where getting it wrong is not recoverable.
