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How To Clean Leather

Read this comprehensive guide on how to properly clean and care for your leather furniture to have it looking great for years to come.

by Andie HuberUpdated 10/15/2024
A professional, cleaning leather couch with a damp sponge.
iStock

Leather furniture is a durable yet luxurious addition to any home. From headboards to sectional sofas, leather pieces require regular maintenance because of body oils, dirt, and environmental factors. In this guide, we’ll tell you how to clean leather, repair rips and discoloration, and when it’s time to bring it to a professional. 

What Are the Different Leather Grades?

There are different leather grades, and each one has specific care requirements. You can maintain the leather’s appearance and quality by knowing how to treat it. Below is a quick breakdown of each: 

Aniline Leather

Aniline leather is the highest quality leather available. It’s soft and looks natural. Spills, sunlight, and harsh cleaners can damage this leather type because it doesn’t have a protective coating. You can use a leather conditioner regularly to maintain its softness. 

Semi-Aniline Leather

Semi-aniline leather is a more durable leather but still has a natural appearance. Households with families and pets may choose this leather because it can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It has a thin protective coating that helps it resist stains and spills when compared to aniline leather. This coating also makes it easier to clean and maintain.

Pigmented Leather

Pigmented leather is the most durable and least expensive option. It has a robust protective layer, which makes it a good fabric for dining chairs, barstools, and car seats. It isn’t as soft as other leathers, but it’s available in many colors, and it’s easy to clean. You can clean it with a mild soap and some water to keep the pigment bright. 

Tools You Can Use To Clean Leather 

Using certain tools will help you clean the leather without ruining it. Consider collecting the following items before you start scrubbing:

  • Baking soda and white vinegar: You can use baking soda and white vinegar for spot cleaning and removing specific stains. It’s a natural and effective cleaning solution.
  • Distilled water: Distilled water doesn’t have any minerals or impurities, so it won’t stain your leather furniture when you use it.
  • Manufacturer-approved leather cleaner and conditioner: Manufacturers formulate cleaners and conditioners to protect leather during the cleaning process.
  • Microfiber cloths: Microfiber cloths are gentle on leather surfaces. They also help to evenly distribute cleaning solutions without causing scratches. 
  • Mild soap (pH-neutral): Avoid harsh soaps because they can damage leather.
  • Soft-bristled brush: A soft-bristled brush loosens dirt from leather grains. 
  • Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment: This will help remove dust, crumbs, and other dirt from the leather.

General Rules for Leather Care and Maintenance

Cleaning your furniture is just one step in maintaining the leather’s quality and soft texture. You can help to extend your furniture’s life by following the preventive measures below: 

  • Avoid sitting on leather furniture if you have sharp objects in your pockets.
  • Clean in circular motions and avoid scrubbing.
  • Keep leather furniture away from direct sunlight so it doesn’t dry out or fade.
  • Rotate cushions and change the seating areas to prevent uneven wear and minimize exposure to light and air.
  • Use coasters and placemats so that the leather doesn’t get water rings or heat damage.
  • Move quickly when something spills, wiping it up immediately.

Regular Cleaning Routine

The list below includes steps you can take to make sure your leather doesn’t crack or dry out:  

  • Apply a leather conditioner every six to 12 months to keep the leather supple and prevent cracking.
  • Condition the leather to keep it flexible and help it maintain its natural oils.
  • Dust leather surfaces weekly with a microfiber cloth or vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove abrasive particles that could scratch or wear down the leather.
  • Wipe down the leather with a slightly damp cloth every few weeks.

Step-By-Step Guide To Clean a Leather Couch

Before we dive into the steps you can take to clean your leather, we’ll provide you with instructions to create your cleaning solution if you don’t have a leather cleanser. 

Below are two homemade cleaning solutions that have different purposes:

  • Mild soap: Combine one part mild, non-alkaline soap with eight parts distilled water for frequent cleaning
  • Vinegar solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and distilled water to remove stubborn stains

Spot Testing

Once you’ve created your mixture or located your store-bought leather cleaner, you can test it in a small spot on your leather furniture. Spot testing will help you make sure the cleanser won’t discolor or damage the leather. Remember that different leathers can have unique reactions to cleaning solutions.

Cleaning Process

Now that you’ve tested a spot and made sure your cleaning solution is safe to use on the leather, you can start cleaning it. Take the steps below to properly clean your furniture:

  1. Remove loose dirt and debris with a vacuum or soft brush.
  2. Dampen a microfiber cloth with your cleaning solution. Just dampen the cloth since soaking the leather with excess water could cause water stains.
  3. Gently wipe the leather surface, starting from the top and working your way down.
  4. Pay extra attention to heavily used areas like armrests and headrests.
  5. Use a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue.
  6. Repeat the process for heavily used areas.

Drying and Finishing

  1. Use a dry microfiber cloth to absorb any remaining moisture.
  2. Allow the leather to air dry completely.
  3. Once dry, apply a leather conditioner to keep the material supple and protected.

Tackling Common Leather Problems

There are some common problems you may encounter with your leather furniture even if you take good care of it. We’ll address these issues and their solutions below: 

Removing Scratches

It’s easy to accidentally scratch leather surfaces, especially if you have pets or children in the household. Some scratches will need a professional fix, but you can take steps to repair minor scratches, which include:

  1. Apply a small amount of leather conditioner or coconut oil to the scratch.
  2. Gently rub the conditioner into the leather using circular motions with your finger.
  3. Buff the area with a clean microfiber cloth.

Fixing Cracks

Just like our skin, you need to moisturize and condition leather so it doesn’t dry out. Otherwise, it’ll crack. Cracking is another problem that you can repair yourself. You can reduce or eliminate cracking by following these instructions:

  1. Clean the area thoroughly.
  2. Apply a leather filler according to the product instructions.
  3. Once dry, sand the area gently to blend it with the surrounding leather.
  4. Apply a leather conditioner to the entire piece to prevent future cracking.

Repairing Tears and Cuts

Bring your furniture to a professional to fix large tears or if your piece is valuable, but for small tears or cuts, you can use a leather repair kit. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions if you use a kit, which usually includes:

  • A cleaning solution
  • Colorant
  • Filler compound
  • Grain paper to recreate the leather texture

Addressing Discoloration

Leather may experience discoloration if you expose it to light, heat, or harsh cleaning methods. You can restore color to faded leather by:

  1. Cleaning the leather thoroughly.
  2. Applying a leather dye or color restoration product.
  3. Following up with a leather conditioner to seal and protect the color.

Eliminating Grease Stains

Natural body oils and lotions, such as sunscreen, contribute to grease stains you can find on leather sofas and chairs. Food spills can also wreak havoc on leather surfaces. For grease stains on leather:

  1. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for several hours.
  2. Gently brush off the baking soda.
  3. Clean the area with a leather cleaner or mild soap solution.
  4. Condition the leather after cleaning.

Dealing with Specific Stains on Leather

You have to take specific steps to clean different stains on leather since it’s a unique fabric. Some of the cleaning methods we recommend depend on the stain type. We’ve provided a breakdown of each below: 

Red Wine Stains

Red wine stains can be difficult to remove because of their deep color, but you can follow the instructions below with some success:

  1. Blot the stain immediately with a clean, dry cloth.
  2. Mix mild soap with warm water to create a lather.
  3. Apply only the foam to the stain with a sponge.
  4. Gently wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
  5. Repeat if necessary.

Ink Stains

Ink settles into leather quickly, so you’ll have to move fast when you notice the stain. Rubbing alcohol is included in the process but use it sparingly because it’s pretty abrasive. For ink stains on leather:

  1. Dab the stain gently with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
  2. Be careful not to spread the ink or oversaturate the leather.
  3. Blot with a clean, dry cloth.
  4. Repeat until the ink is no longer visible.
  5. Clean the area with leather cleaner and condition.

Oil-Based Stains

Absorb oil-based stains before you clean them. To remove oil-based stains:

  1. Sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder on the stain.
  2. Let it sit for several hours to absorb the oil.
  3. Brush off the powder gently.
  4. Clean the area with a leather cleaner.
  5. Condition the leather after cleaning.

Cleaning Leather: Our Conclusion

Leather furniture is durable, soft, and comfortable. It comes in three different types—aniline, semi-aniline, and pigmented. You can make your leather furniture shine with proper cleaning and maintenance methods depending on which type you have. By regularly cleaning and addressing issues promptly, you’ll extend its life and keep it looking new.

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