Product Overview
- For larger hides, the Kit H4 Plus provides additional Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 to ensure full saturation and treatment.
- A Hair-on Hide Rug is a full-sized hide—such as zebra or cow—with the hair intact. The hide is tanned on the reverse as suede. This unique construction requires specialized care to maintain its softness, structure, and appearance.
- Doesn’t lay flat?
→ It’s likely starved of fatliquor (natural fat & oil).
- Dries stiff after getting wet?
→ Fatliquor likely leached out during drying.
- Cracking, curling, or folding lines?
→ Lack of fatliquor weakens, stiffens, or crushes the fibers.
- This kit delivers a 4-step holistic care system for both the hair and the suede—restoring softness, strength, and appearance. With suede-safe and hair-safe products, the system cleans, hydrates, conditions, and protects your hide from future damage.
Hair 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.
Rinse Hair 4.0 by Leather Doctor® is a pH 4.0 balanced rinse that neutralizes and restores the hair's natural integrity after cleaning. It gently neutralizes, rinses, leaving hair-on healthy, squeaky clean, and resilient against breakage.
Conditioner S Plus by Leather Doctor® is a scented, nonstick, rub-resistant, soft, smooth-feeling conditioner that lubricates and increases hair resistance to rubbing breakage. Conditioner S Plus is a specially formulated conditioner designed for Hair-on.
Suede Cleaner 4.5 by Leather Doctor® is a water-based, pH-balanced (4.5) suede sanitizer and cleaner for a safe and effective clean on suede hide.
Rinse 3.0 by Leather Doctor® is a pH 3.0 rinse that removes suspended soiling, balances pH, and ionic recharges protein fibers to healthy structure and feel.
Hydrator 3.3 by Leather Doctor® is a pH 3.3 hydrating conditioner designed to relax, soften, and restore suede’s natural integrity while preparing it for fatliquoring. It facilitates colloidal water movement within the structure, and reducing the surface tension for an even appearance.
Fatliquor 5.0 by Leather Doctor® is a pH 5.0 softening conditioner of fat, oil, and water to restore the suede's original softness, strength, and flexibility.
Products: Hair Cleaner 5.5 + Hair Rinse 4.0
Tools: Foam Brush 2, Hide Brush 4, Towel 1
- Brush hair in one direction, vacuum loose debris.
- Spray Hair 5.5, brush gently, and extract with a folded towel.
- Repeat process using Rinse 4.0 to balance pH and rinse thoroughly.
- Continue towel blotting until it shows clean and dry.
Product: Conditioner S Plus
Tools: Hide Brush
- When hair is dry, spray S Plus evenly.
- Brush in the direction of the hair and allow to air-dry.
- Re-brush to “bloom” and soften the hair.
Products: Suede Cleaner 4.5 + Suede Rinse 3.0
Tools: Hide Brush 4 (steel), Eraser 5, Towel 1
- Dry brush in one direction and erase with Eraser 5 to exfoliate aging fibers.
- Spray Cleaner 4.5, brush, erase, and towel extract suspended soiling.
- Repeat with Rinse 3.0 to restore pH balance and further extract residue.
- Allow to dry—wicked-up soiling may surface, so repeat brushing and vacuuming.
Products: Hydrator 3.3 + Fatliquor 5.0
Tools: Foam Brush 2
- Spray Hydrator 3.3 and spread with a foam brush to saturate the suede.
- Massage, flex, and stretch until the hide lies flat and relaxed.
- Apply Fatliquor 5.0 in cycles—allow water to evaporate between applications—until the hide absorbs no more.
- Final drying should be slow and natural for best suppleness. While still damp, flex and stretch the hide to prevent stiffness.
- Any sticky residue can be wiped with Hydrator 3.3 and a towel.
If the suede side is inaccessible (e.g. due to lining), Hydrator 3.3 and Fatliquor 5.0 can be applied from the hair-on side by gently parting hair to reach the hide base.
| Task | Product(s) | Tool(s) |
| Hair Cleaning | Hair 5.5 + Rinse 4.0 | Brush, Towel |
| Hair Conditioning | Conditioner S Plus | Brush |
| Suede Cleaning | Suede 4.5 + Rinse 3.0 | Brush, Eraser, Towel |
| Hydrate + Fatliquor | Hydrator 3.3 + Fatliquor 5.0 | Foam Brush |
- Always work in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid heat during drying—natural air drying gives the best suppleness.
- Maintain your hide seasonally or after spills, moisture exposure, or visible changes.
Reach out anytime. Your feedback helps us continue refining these systems to serve your leather care needs better.
Updated: April 19, 2025 by Roger Koh