Leather is durable, but only when it's maintained. Skin oils, dust and UV radiation slowly degrade the top layer, and once leather dries out and cracks, the damage is hard to reverse. A good leather cleaner and conditioner keep the material supple, clean and resistant to daily wear.

It comes down to two steps that belong together: first clean to lift dirt and grease, then condition to replenish the oils that cleaning strips away. Skip the conditioner and you've only done half the job.