Cleaning leather is a delicate process, so it’s important to take your time and use the right products. The tips below should help you determine which cleaning method is best for you and your leather product.
Safety precautions:
When cleaning any item of clothing or material, make sure you consult the manufacturer’s care instructions first before proceeding with any cleaning method. In general, avoid soaking items in water (or other liquids) and always keep them away from heat sources such as radiators or open fires. Leather cleansers should only be applied sparingly with a soft cloth to cleanse dirt from the surface of your item; do not rub too vigorously as this can cause damage to its grain patterning!
Vaccum and Dust
Vacuum your leather car seats. You can use the upholstery attachment on a vacuum cleaner to pick up any loose dirt and debris that has accumulated over time. This is best done when the leather is dry, but it’s okay to do it when there are stains or other problems as well. If you have pets that shed hair in your car, vacuum them too!
- Don’t use a beater brush on the upholstery attachment because this can scratch the leather.
Microfiber Cloth
A microfiber cloth is a great option for cleaning leather items. Microfiber cloths are soft, which makes them ideal for wiping down the surface of a leather item without causing damage. To clean your leather with a microfiber cloth:
- Wipe down the item with warm water using the damp side of your damp-dry cloth or sponge mitt.
- Use dry side to wipe away any moisture from leather (or other materials)
- Use new sections of your damp-dry cloth on each item you clean so that you do not cross-contaminate surfaces
Mild Soap
- Get a mild soap.
- Mix the soap with water in a bucket or other large container.
- Dip a sponge into the soapy water and wipe it over your leather item, being sure to cover all surfaces evenly.
- Dry off the leather with a clean cloth or towel, making sure that no soap residue remains on its surface.
Vinegar
- Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture onto the leather surface, using a soft cloth to rub it in gently.
- Use a soft toothbrush to scrub stubborn stains if needed (but be careful not to damage the fabric).
- Let dry before storing away or wearing!
Baking Soda
- Using a clean cloth or sponge, apply baking soda paste to the leather.
- Use your hand or a soft-bristled brush to spread the paste over the area you want cleaned.
- Allow the paste to sit for 15 minutes (the longer it sits, the deeper it will clean). Wipe off with another clean cloth or sponge that has been dampened with water.
- If you have created any stains from using too much baking soda, mix two tablespoons of white vinegar with two cups of water in a spray bottle and spritz on stain until it disappears (you can also use this mixture as a presoak before cleaning).
Rubbing with Alchohol
- Place the alcohol on a cotton ball or swab.
- Rub the stained area with the cotton ball or swab dipped in alcohol, making sure to get into all of the crevices and folds where dirt can build up (such as near buckles, button holes, and belt loops).
- Wipe away excess rubbing alcohol with a clean towel or rag.
Cotton Swabs
To clean leather with cotton swabs, you will need:
- Cleaner for the leather (see below)
- Cotton swabs
To clean a leather item with cotton swabs, follow these steps:
- Apply cleaner to the area to be cleaned.
- Gently rub the area until it is clean and dry (do not saturate).
- If there is an excess of dirt left on your item after cleaning, repeat Step 2 until all dirt has been removed from your item
Lemon Juice
- Take a clean cloth and dip it in lemon juice
- Apply the lemon juice to the leather with firm pressure, making sure to cover all of the stained area. You want to make sure that you are using just enough lemon juice so that it doesn’t spill over onto other areas of your bag or purse, but not so much that you’re wasting any.
- Once this is done, take another clean cloth and wipe away any excess liquid from your bag or purse so that no sticky residue is left behind on its surface. Go slowly when doing this step because if too much of the cleaning agent comes off on your cloth then you could potentially damage your leather item even more than before!
Cream of Tartar
- Mix one half teaspoon of cream of tartar with one half cup water.
- Apply to stain and let dry. Wipe off excess liquid. If stain is still there, mix one half teaspoon each of cream of tartar and lemon juice (you can substitute vinegar). Apply as above, but leave longer so that the acid has a chance to break down the oils in the leather.*
Conditioner
Conditioner is a great way to keep your leather in good condition. It can also help you avoid needing to clean and repair it, which will save you time and money in the long run. Leather conditioner keeps moisture in, making the leather last longer than if you don’t use it. The best part is that there are many products available that are specially designed for this purpose, so finding one shouldn’t be hard at all!
You can clean leather safely.
Leather is a durable material that doesn’t need to be treated with kid gloves, but it does have its limits. While you might not have to worry about water damage or cracking your favorite leather jacket, you still want to treat it right so that it lasts for as long as possible. This can be especially true if you’ve taken the time and effort to find high-quality leather goods (think of how many times people say they’ll last “forever”).
When cleaning leather, remember that while there are many cleaners on the market designed specifically for use on leather (and most of them work), these products should only be used when absolutely necessary because they often contain harsh chemicals and solvents that could damage the item’s finish over time. Water-based cleaners are safer options and won’t leave any residue behind after drying; however, no matter which type of cleaner you choose it’s always wise practice to test first on a small area before applying full-scale treatment all over since some products may cause discoloration or even damage if left untreated too long.[1]
Wrapping Up
Now that you know how to clean leather safely, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge into practice! The next time you want to clean your favorite leather jacket, jacket or purse, simply grab one of these four products and follow these steps. Remember: while they’re all safe for use on real leather (as opposed to synthetic), they may not be the best choice for a delicate item like suede or velvet.
Before cleaning any leather product, check the care label first. It’ll tell you exactly what kind of cleaning method is recommended by the manufacturer—and whether that method includes any special instructions for doing so safely. If there are no directions listed anywhere on the product itself or its packaging then go ahead and follow these guidelines instead—but if there are then it’s always safer to stick with those specific instructions so as not damage your belongings further than necessary! Also keep in mind that some types of cleaner are better suited than others depending on what sort of finish is applied onto each piece; this blog post from Cleaning Reviews has more details about which products work best under various circumstances so consider checking out more information before deciding which ones should be used today.
