Leather Super Cleaner 4.9

Leather Super Cleaner 4.9 by Leather Doctor® is a super-duty, leather-safe, water-based pre-cleaner with a pH of 4.9 for heavily soiled body-contact areas on Leather, Nubuck, & Suede.

It is designed specifically for heavily soiled body-contact areas (like headrests, armrests, collars, cuffs, and handles) on: 

• Leather
• Nubuck
• Suede
• Found in cars, planes, boats, upholstery, shoes, handbags, and garments.

It offers stronger cleaning power than Leather Strong Cleaner 4.3, yet milder than Leather Prep 4.4 and Leather Prep 7.7.

Why Choose Super 4.9?

• Ideal when Cleaner 3.8 or Strong Cleaner 4.3 is not strong enough, but Prep 4.4 or 7.7 is too aggressive.
• Provides the “just right” strength—a balance between under-cleaning and over-cleaning.
• Part of a holistic leather-safe system: always follow with Cleaner 3.8 and Rinse 3.0.

How Does Super 4.9 Work?

1. Applied and allowed to dwell for 3–30 minutes (or before drying) for complete soil suspension.
2. Agitated with the appropriate leather-safe brush.
3. Suspended soil is removed with a dry, absorbent towel.
4. Follow-up: Cleaner 3.8 → Rinse 3.0 for pH and residue balance.

Application Instructions

1. Dilute concentrate at a 1:21 ratio with distilled water before use.
2. Inspect the leather and remove dry soils before wet cleaning.
3. Shake well, apply evenly, and agitate with the correct brush.
4. Allow dwell time (3–30 min), ensuring it does not dry on the surface.
5. Blot off suspended soil with a clean towel.

Tools to Use

• Brushes:
• Brush 1 (Horsehair) – Smooth leather
• Brush 2 (Nylon) – Nubuck & fine suede
• Brush 3 (Brass) – Coarse/split suede (use at a slant, one direction only)
• Erasers:
• Eraser 4 – Smooth leather, Nubuck, kid/lamb suede
• Eraser 5 – Coarse/split suede 

Related Products for Complete Leather Care

• Acidifier 2.0 – Fixes pH and reduces tackiness
• Hydrator 3.3 – Rehydrates stiff leather
• Fatliquor 5.0 – Softens and strengthens
• Protectors:
• Protector B – For leather with a buttery feel
• Conditioner S – For suede with a smooth feel
• Protector W – For waxed leathers with a waxy feel

Here’s a step-by-step guide for using Leather Super Cleaner 4.9 specifically tailored to:

• Vachetta (vegetable-tanned leather)
• Aniline leather
• Nubuck & Suede

This guide follows the Leather Doctor® holistic system, ensuring safe and effective cleaning without overworking or damaging delicate leathers.

VACHETTA LEATHER (e.g., Louis Vuitton handles, trim)

Vachetta is highly absorbent and sensitive to water, pH shifts, and agitation.

Step-by-Step:

1. Prep Solution: Mix Super 4.9 concentrate at 1:21 with distilled water before use.

2. Dry Soil Removal: Gently dust using leather Eraser 4 and soft horsehair Brush 1.

3. Shake & Apply: Shake Super 4.9, apply lightly with a lint-free towel or horsehair brush in gentle circular motions.

4. Dwell Time: Allow to dwell 3–15 minutes, ensuring it stays moist.

5. Agitate Gently: Light brushing if needed.

6. Blot: Blot off suspended soil with a dry, absorbent towel.

7. Clean & Rinse:

• Clean with Cleaner 3.8
• Follow with Rinse 3.0 to restore pH balance.

8. Optional pH Fix: If tacky or darkened, apply Acidifier 2.0, blot, and let dry naturally.

9. Hydrate & Soften:

• Hydrator 3.3 → dwell and extract
• Fatliquor 5.0 → multiple light applications until leather stops absorbing.

10. Lightening & Dis-coloration Fix

• Treat with Vachetta 2.8

11. Condition: Finish with Protector B for buttery protection.

ANILINE LEATHER

Aniline is absorbent and delicate with visible grain; cleaning must be even and controlled.

Step-by-Step:

1. Mix Solution: Dilute Super 4.9 at 1:21 with distilled water before use.

2. Dry Clean: Use Eraser 4 and horsehair Brush 1 for dry soil removal.

3. Apply & Dwell: Lightly apply Super 4.9 evenly. Let dwell 3–30 min (do not let dry).

4. Agitate: Light brushing with Brush 1 in grain direction.

5. Towel Blot: Use a dry towel to blot and lift suspended soil.

6. Follow-Up:

• Clean with Cleaner 3.8
• Rinse with Rinse 3.0

7. Hydrate & Soften:

• Hydrate with Hydrator 3.3
• Soften with Fatliquor 5.0

8. Condition: Apply Protector B for anti-stick, rub-resistant protection.

NUBUCK, SUEDE & SPLIT-SUEDE 

Suede is fibrous, porous, and easily discolored—requires soft agitation and one-direction cleaning.

Step-by-Step:

1. Dilute Super 4.9: 1:21 with distilled water.

2. Dry Soil Removal:

• Nubuck & Suede: Use Eraser 4 + Brush 2 (nylon)
• Split Suede: Use Eraser 5 + Brush 3 (brass) at a slant, one-direction only.

3. Apply Cleaner: Mist-spray Super 4.9 lightly, section by section.

4. Dwell Time: Let sit 3–15 min, prevent drying.

5. Agitate Gently:

• Nubuck & Suede: Soft brushing in all directions
• Split suede: Brass brush in one direction only

6. Blot: Use towel or sponge to lift soil.

7. Follow-Up:

• Clean with Cleaner 3.8
• Rinse with Rinse 3.0

8. Hydrate & Soften:

• Use Hydrator 3.3
• Apply Fatliquor 5.0 in layers, let air-dry.

9. Restore Nap:

• Use Brush 2 or 3 (depending on nap type) to raise and groom nap.

10. Condition:

• Apply Conditioner S for non-stick, rub-resistant suede protection.

 Your opinions, insights and review are precious and will help us to improve our writing and solve your leather problem more efficiently.

Updated: May 25, 2025 by Roger Koh.