Product Overview
Hair-on Hide Hair Cleaner 5.5 by Leather Doctor® is a leather-safe, mild disinfectant cleaner for hair-on-hide, wool skin, sheepskin, shearling, and feather.
With a pH value of 5.5, it gently penetrates and lubricates the hair fibers, suspending soil through a chemical reaction that’s safe for both hair and hide and most fabrics—excluding rayon and silk. It also helps reduce common odors that occur during drying.
Step 1️⃣ Mix the Concentrate with Distilled Water
- The product is shipped as a concentrate.
- Mix with distilled water following the instructions on the bottle to prepare the cleaning solution.
- Using distilled water prevents mineral deposits or residue from tap water.
Step 2️⃣ Inspect and Remove Dry Soiling
- Carefully inspect the item for stains, wear, or heavily soiled areas.
- Vacuum or brush off loose dirt, dust, or pet hair using a suede or hair-on-hide brush.
- This step prevents rubbing dry particles deeper into the hide during wet cleaning.
Step 3️⃣ Apply Cleaner
- Shake the solution well to activate ingredients.
- Lightly spray the cleaner onto the hair side from a short distance.
- Use a soft bristle brush at a slant angle to gently agitate the surface. This lifts embedded soils without damaging hair shafts.
Step 4️⃣ Extract Suspended Soiling
- Immediately blot the treated area with a clean, dry, absorbent terry towel.
- Gently press and lift to extract suspended soiling.
- Rotate the towel to a clean area frequently and continue blotting until it shows no further soil transfer.
Step 5️⃣ Rinse with Hair-on Hide Hair Rinse 4.0
- Spray Rinse 4.0 over the cleaned area.
- This step neutralizes and returns the pH to 5.5, which is ideal for hair and hide health.
- It also helps reduce frizz, static, and keeps the fibers silky and soft.
Step 6️⃣ Groom & Let Dry Naturally
- While still damp, gently groom the hair with a wide-tooth comb or brush.
- Let the hide air dry naturally in a well-ventilated, shaded area—away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent drying out or warping.
Step 7️⃣ Final Grooming After Drying
- Once completely dry (the hair will feel a little crisp), groom again with a slick or wide-tooth comb.
- This final grooming helps “bloom” the hair—reviving its natural softness and luster.
- Use for removing excess oil and grease before cleaning.
- Helps prevent darkening or stiffness in high-contact spots.
- Essential for pH balancing after cleaning.
- Helps restore softness and protects the hair and hide structure from alkalinity damage.
- A final finishing spray that adds a non-stick, rub-resistant coating.
- Helps prevent future soiling and masks any remaining odors with a light, pleasant leather scent (Plus version).
Updated: April 19, 2025 by Roger Koh