Waterproofing Wax for Leather vs All Purpose Simple Green Cleaner: which is safer?
All Purpose Simple Green Cleaner is the clear pick. Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Nikwax
Waterproofing Wax for Leather
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleRespiratory irritation or fume inhalation during application
ReportedPFAS in water repellency treatment
Our pick
Simple Green
All Purpose Simple Green Cleaner
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleSurfactant irritancy (skin, eye, respiratory if aerosolized)
PossibleAlkalinity-related tissue damage (skin, mucous membrane)
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Respiratory irritation or fume inhalation during application and PFAS in water repellency treatment on the Nikwax and not on the Simple Green.
- We flag Surfactant irritancy (skin, eye, respiratory if aerosolized) and Alkalinity-related tissue damage (skin, mucous membrane) on the Simple Green and not on the Nikwax.
- The Nikwax is wax-based waterproofing where the Simple Green is Water-based concentrate cleaner formula, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
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