Leather is an incredibly versatile material, and as such, it is used in numerous ways. We have leather furniture, leather shoes – you can even get yourself a leather jacket! But what people often don’t consider when they purchase all of these leather items, is how you’re supposed to look after leather. How do you clean leather?
This leaves people asking all important questions like ‘can I use lemon juice to clean a leather sofa?’, ‘what is the best thing to clean leather with?’, ‘do I need to use a microfiber cloth to clean leather?’. But never fear, for the answer is simpler than you think!
When do you need to clean leather?
The answer to this question varies depending on what type of leather you’re talking about and what product it has been used for. Generally speaking, you should clean leather furniture when it has stains, or a foul smell, when you’ve just bought it (especially if second-hand), or before you sell it. You should also wash it before you paint it.
Leather shoes and leather clothing will require more regular maintenance, as they are exposed to much more on a daily basis.
What tools do you need to clean leather?
To clean leather furniture or many other leather items, you will need a few different things. Many of which you likely already have around the house.
A soft cloth
Leather can be quite fragile, so you will need a soft cloth like a microfiber cloth to use your cleaning solution of choice.
A damp cloth
This will be used to wipe away your cleaning solution when you’ve let it sit for a while.
Leather conditioner
A leather conditioner is a great way to make your leather last longer. It protects the leather and provides a great finish to your cleaning.
Rubber gloves
Some of the methods of leather cleaning require harsh products and cleaning solutions, so it is wise to protect your hands whilst you work.
How to clean leather furniture
There are a myriad of ways to clean leather furniture, all of which have their pros and cons so we have asked The Leather Colour Doctor for some cleaning tips. Methods such as using lemon juice to combat oil and grease stains, or using baking soda and white vinegar have been used for many many years, whereas shop-bought cleaning solutions are a more modern approach. The most common methods of cleaning leather are:
Lemon juice
There are a few different methods when it comes to using lemon juice as a cleaning solution and of course, it’s eco friendly too which is a bonus.
Lemon essential oil, white vinegar and olive oil
To clean your leather furniture with lemon essential oil, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a spray bottle, then add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Give the bottle a shake to mix the ingredients.
Soak a cloth or paper towel with the solution, and then use the damp cloth to dab the stain. For stubborn stains and marks, spray the solution straight onto the leather and let it sit.
Once you have finished letting it sit, or when you’ve finished dabbing the stain or mark away, wipe clean the leather with a soft cloth.
Lemon Juice and Citric acid crystals
Lemon juice has cleaning properties on its own, but when combined with citric acid crystals, these properties become even more powerful.
To use this cleaning solution, place 1 teaspoon of citric acid into a small bowl and squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon into the bowl. Mix the ingredients into a paste.
Apply the paste onto the leather, and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Wipe the area clean with a damp rag, and then apply a conditioner of sorts. This might be baby soap, baby oil, or leather conditioner.
Lemon and cream of tartar
Mix one part lemon juice and one part cream of tartar to create a soft paste in a bowl. Apply it to your leather using a microfiber cloth. If it is a stubborn mark, let the cleaning solution sit and work for a few hours.
When done, wipe clean with a wet cloth and dry with a soft cloth.
White vinegar
Mix equal parts white vinegar and olive oil to create a cleaning solution well-tailored to removing deep-soiled stains from leather.
All you need to do once mixed is dip a cloth into the mix and rub it all over the leather. Then wipe it down using a clean cloth to remove any excess oil.
Alternatively, you can add the vinegar directly onto the leather and then apply some oil onto the leather using a soft cloth and buff the material.
Dish soap and warm water
It seems obvious, but you can just use mild dish soap and lukewarm water to clean leather furniture. Simply add around half a cup of liquid dish soap into a bowl of warm water and mix. Then use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the leather.
Buff the material after and apply a conditioner, and you’re good to go.
Baking soda
If your leather is covered with grease stains or oil stains, then you should try baking soda to clean it. Sprinkle some baking soda onto the oil or grease stain and leave it for a few hours.
When you return, simply wipe the baking soda away and condition and the stain should be gone.
Always check the label
With many leather products, there are additives used to cover the leather with a protective layer. Sometimes, the leather has been treated before being used to create your couch or jacket. It is, therefore, important to always check the label on your leather products prior to cleaning.
The label will tell you whether you can use water-based products (it will have a W on), or whether you should dry clean only (S or P). If your leather is labelled with an SW or WS, you can either dry clean or rinse your leather. For those items labelled with an X, you should seek a professional to clean the leather furniture for you.
