Leather
furniture, while quite beautiful and elegant, can be a challenge to maintain. It can be easily damaged by improper cleaning techniques.
Before You Begin
- Before you attempt to clean your leather furniture, it is important to determine the type of leather you’re working with. You can typically find this information on the tags attached to your furniture or in the written material distributed with your furniture. You can also contact your furniture retailer or manufacturer.
- The tags and other written information generally provide tips on cleaning your particular furniture. It is recommended that before attempting any of the suggestions offered in this article that you follow the cleaning procedures recommended by the manufacturer of your particular furniture.
- When you purchased your furniture your retailer may have supplied you with leather care products which may be more appropriate for your furniture than the cleaning solutions suggested here.
- For additional help in determining what type of leather is on your furniture, you may want to refer to the information provided by Leather Magic, a leading manufacturer and retailer of leather-related products.
- Most of today’s leather furniture will be made with top-coat protected leather, which is generally safe to clean with the method below. Again, it is important to read your tags to determine what kind of leather you have and any cleaning solutions or methods to avoid. Some types of leather (although rarely found on today’s furniture) cannot tolerate water and should only be cleaned professionally.
What You Will Need
- Vacuum cleaner with soft brush attachment
- Mild liquid facial or body soap (such as Dove or Neutrogena)
- Distilled water*
- buckets
- At least four soft rags
- Water-based leather protector/conditioner (found in most furniture stores)
*It is best to use distilled water because tap water may contain chlorine and other contaminants which can damage the surface of the leather.
Cleaning Instructions
- Vacuum the piece of furniture thoroughly, being sure to use the soft brush attachment (leather scratches easily). If the suction on your vacuum is too strong, consider using a smaller hand held vacuum with less power to prevent leaving marks on the leather.
- Mix a few drops of liquid soap with about a quart of distilled water, mixing until suds form.
- Test a small, inconspicuous area of the furniture first.
- Dip one of the rags in the soapy water and wring out thoroughly.
- Working one section at a time, wipe the surface of the furniture with the damp rag.
- Dip a separate rag in clean distilled water (no soap), wring thoroughly, and wipe away the soap residue.
- Dry thoroughly with the third rag.
- Buff the surface with the fourth clean rag to restore luster.
- Treat the surface with leather protector/conditioner as per product instructions.
Leather Furniture Stain Removal
Remember to ALWAYS test a small, inconspicuous area of the furniture first before using any of these methods.
Ink stains: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing (Isoprophl) alcohol and rub over the ink stain. Dry with a blow dryer set on its lowest setting.
Dark stains: (i.e. food, blood, etc.): Make a paste of one part cream of tartar with 1 part lemon juice. Rub this paste on the stain and leave it set for 10 minutes. Remove the paste with a damp rag and moisturizing soap, as described above for general cleaning. Buff the leather dry with a soft cloth.
Grease stains: Simply wipe stain from the leather using a dry cloth. Do not apply water to the grease stain.
Newsprint: Newspapers left on leather furniture can cause a newsprint ink stain. Spray the stain lightly with aerosol hair spray and then wipe with a soft cloth.
Disinfecting Leather
If you need to sanitize the leather if a family member is sick or if someone drops a raw steak on the couch accidentally, moisten a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and use it to wipe down a hidden area of the leather, such as under the edge of the base, to ensure that it does not remove any color from the leather. If safe, wipe the leather down with rubbing alcohol. Clean the area afterward with a leather cleaner to remove any residue from the alcohol. Alcohol can have a drying effect on leather, so you may want to use a leather conditioner as well, or a leather cleaner/conditioner mix, such as 1 part white vinegar mixed with 2 parts boiled linseed oil.
If the rubbing alcohol does remove some of the leather color, you can try using white vinegar instead, but again, be sure to test it first. White vinegar is not quite as effective as rubbing alcohol, but it does kill 99% of bacteria and 90% of germs. Let it sit on the leather for 10 minutes, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to rinse. You can consider adding essential oils to the white vinegar to make it more effective if needed.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Clean spills immediately! Leather is porous in nature and if any liquid is allowed to penetrate the surface, the stain will be extremely difficult to clean.
- Avoid using any type of harsh cleaners or abrasive cleansers on your leather furniture as these will cause damage to the surface.
- NEVER use any kind of oils (such as mink oil), furniture polish, or any product containing waxes or silicone (including many car care products) on your leather furniture as it may damage the leather and leave it feeling sticky. Consequently, be very careful when using Pledge, or any other type of furniture polish, around your leather. The only exception is boiled linseed oil, which will not leave the leather sticky; do not use raw linseed oil.
- Generally, it is not good to use saddle soap, varnish, ammonia-based cleaners (i.e. Windex) or bleach on your leather furniture, all of which may be too harsh for the leather and may cause serious damage or discoloration.
- Vacuum and dust your leather furniture on a regular basis to help the leather breathe and last longer.
- To protect your leather furniture, keep it from fading, drying out and/or cracking, avoid placing it in direct sunlight and keep it at least two feet away from any heat (i.e. heating vents, fireplaces, radiators, etc.) and air conditioning sources.
- Leather does occasionally need to be replenished. Although there are products on the market for this, you might try mixing 1 part distilled white vinegar with 2 parts linseed oil. Shake well and apply to leather in broad circular motions. Let sit for about 10 minutes, then buff with a soft cloth. A second buffing may be necessary.
- NEVER use baby wipes or any other alkaline cleaner on your leather furniture as it may damage the finish.
- Remember, if you have any doubt as to the proper way to clean your leather furniture; do not hesitate to call a professional. After all, leather furniture is an investment, and sometimes you may need to spend some extra cash to protect that investment. For help finding reputable professional to clean your leather upholstery, contact your local Chamber of Commerce. You can also find a variety of cleaning specialists in your yellow pages.
Sources:
- Vinegar by Vicki Lansky
I have a Natuzzi leather recliner. The head part had a dark stain, from the husbands head; how do I remove it? Someone says creame of tartar??? Help… Thanks.
I purchased two recliner leather sofas from Arizona Leather approximately two months ago. My husband likes to sit on one side of the couch and the headrest has a dark stain on it from the natural oils in his hair. I have called the manufacturer and was told there is nothing that can remove the stain from the headrest. The leather absorbs body oils and this is the nature of the leather. I can replace the head cushion, but I’m sure it will happen again. If I end up replacing the head cushion, I might as well try to clean it myself. The couches are a dark butterscotch color-beautiful, but am very disappointed in this product. I have purchase the cleaner and conditioner that Arizona Leather has made especially for their leather and it did not clean my stain at all. Would appreciate any suggestions you have. Thank you.
If anyone knows how to remove black permanent marker from a beige leather sofa please send your remedy.
Spray-on sunscreen will remove permanent marker from almost anything!
I have cream colored recliners that I used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on, which worked to clean the arms. They appear dry with no luster. What should I do? I would like to clean the rest of the chair.
Barb,
A leather conditioner can help to restore dried-out leather.
My husband’s leather recliner smells in the head area from the oils in his hair. I’ve cleaned it with two leather cleaners, but can still smell it. What next?
Sylvia,
Since you’ve already cleaned, I would recommend that you move on to step three or four of this article: How to Remove Cigarette Smell from Leather. In your case, just drape the stocking of coffee grounds over the head of the recliner or tape the dryer sheet over the area (or if you want to avoid tape residue, tape the dryer sheet to a T-shirt and drape the shirt over the area).
I have a dark brown leather recliner with some scratches(?)/lighter marks where the head goes. Will shoe polish restore the color? If not, what will?
One of my daycare kids threw-up on the inside end of my leather couch. I wiped it up with water immediately, I didn’t use any cleaners because I didn’t want to discolor the material. What can I use to get rid of the smell?
A comment from August 29, 2009 mentioned the use of bleach. Is the bleach mixed with a portion of water or used straight? I also have a beige couch and would like to try this method, but don’t know how to put the bleach to work without risk. Does the bleach go on the rag and then to the couch or directly on the couch?
How do I clean and keep white genuine leather white?
I need to give my leather sofa a good cleaning. Is Armor All safe to use? If not, what works best to clean and restore the shine?
I have a butterscotch sofa that has been darkened by the natural oils from my husband’s head. What can I do to remove the dark stain? Thank you.
How can I remove the odor of cat pee from my leather couch?
I have a dark leather couch that was outside for a couple of months without the cushions. I seem to have gotten the smell out from the inside, but I haven’t been able to get it out of the seams. How do I accomplish this?
Over the years, on occasion, I would wipe them with the baby wipes, and the above statement is true; I ruined the color on my expensive set… 🙁
Has anyone tried this solution to clean the leather? Kindly reply coz people wants to know.
He caught MRSA in his wound when he was operated on in the hospital. He sits and lies on the leather sofa a lot. I want to clean and disinfect this leather sofa. Any ideas?
Mehrun,
For leather, steam cleaning is the best method. Steam cleaning is usually safe for leather and is effective against MRSA. Investing in a steam cleaner is the best option, since it can also be used on the carpet, floor, and other areas of the home as often as needed.
Other than steam cleaning, the only real option is a chemical cleaner that specifically says that it is effective against MRSA. I have not been able to find one that says it is effective against MRSA and that it is safe for use on leather. So for these, you would have to just try each one on a hidden area of the leather first to see if it is safe. It may help the leather if you clean the couch with a leather cleaner immediately after using the disinfectant. Two disinfectants that specifically say they kill MRSA are PureGreen24 and Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes. However, both of those disinfectants are intended for hard surfaces.
There are several essential oils that can be used effectively against MRSA, so if you need to condition the leather, use a MRSA-killing essential oil. There are some studies that show that certain essential oils might be effective against MRSA, so applying the oil on the leather might help to kill germs as they are deposited on the surface, keeping it cleaner longer. Some essential oils to choose from are thyme, oregano, or tea tree oil. Look into each one for the proper usage amounts, as some are too strong for skin if they are undiluted. Tea tree oil is one that is too strong for skin contact when undiluted; it needs to be diluted to an amount of five drops if tea tree oil in one tablespoon of olive oil. Do not use tea tree oil in a house that has cats though, as even a small amount is toxic to them.
Keeping a MRSA wound covered is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of bacteria. There are bandages infused with manuka honey that you can buy, or you can make your own simply be applying honey to the wound then covering it with a bandage. Manuka honey is supposed to be extremely effective at killing the MRSA bacteria.
Source: CleanLink – Disinfection: Steam Vapor Wipes Out MRSA And VRE
Source: PureGreen24 – The Invisible Killers
Source: Clorox – Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes
Source: Staph Infection Resources – How to Disinfect, Clean and Kill MRSA
Source: Microbe Wiki – Tea Tree Oil Treatment of MRSA
Source: Reader’s Digest – Tea Tree Oil Uses: 13 Extraordinary Ideas
http://www.rd.com/health/wellness/tea-tree-oil-uses/
Source: Staph Infection Resources – Manuka Honey MRSA Wound Care
How do you clean cement dust off of a leather sofa? I tried wiping with just water on a clean cloth, and it seemed to make a streaky paste. Thank you.
How to get lacquer off a leather chair?
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Unfortunately, I set together for more than one day my dress that is 50% polyester and 50% poliuretano (synthetic leather) in a white color with my jacket that is genuine leather in a dark red color. Now, the white dress has many stains. How I can remove them?
Elga,
This is the article that you need: How to Clean Black Leather Stains Off a White Leather Couch.
Hi. I bought a second-hand cream leather sofa; it has quite a few stains on it. What would be my best option to clean this & to bring a nice shine back?
Sharon,
Each type of stain has its own specific removal method. Here are some articles that might help:
How to Remove Grease Stains from Leather
How to Remove Ink Stains from Leather Upholstery
How to Remove Body Oil Stains from Leather Upholstery
How to Remove Dye Transfer from Leather
How to Clean Mold and Mildew from Leather Furniture
How to Remove Glow in the Dark Liquid from Leather Couch
Search the website for additional articles, such as cleaning cough syrup, oil spills, Magic Marker, urine or battery acid from leather.
I have a leather sofa and my one-year-old keeps eating the arm of it and has bitten through the leather and now it’s noticeable. Anything I can do to cover it?
Siobhan,
There is no need to cover it; a repair should be fairly simple since the cuts are so small. Do a Google search for “How to repair a cut in leather,” and you will find a bunch of helpful articles and videos. Here is a nice guide by the FurnitureClinic that has a picture tutorial and product recommendation. All you really need is leather glue unless additional touch-ups are needed. Or, just cover the spot with a throw blanket and that would help prevent any future bite marks as well.
My son slept on our leather couch not knowing he had ringworm. How do I sanitize ringworm on leather?
LS,
Wash the leather with a mild soap that contains an antifungal, such as a hand soap that contains tea tree oil or mint. These can often be found at health food stores.
Another option is to try white vinegar, which is an antifungal and is sometimes used to clean leather. Dilute the white vinegar in water at a ratio of 1:1 (equal parts vinegar and water) and wipe the couch with the solution, then wipe the couch with a damp cloth afterward to remove the vinegar residue. Consider using a leather conditioner afterwards, as the vinegar could cause the leather to dry out.
Alternatively, you could use an antifungal leather cleaner; there are a couple made for cleaning horse tack.
Another option is to try a cleaner that is not recommended for leather, but is recommended for ringworm, such as Lysol. If you decide to try Lysol or similar cleaners, test it on a hidden area of the couch first, then wipe off the area with a damp cloth to remove any residue from the cleaner.
Also, it is best to use distilled water when cleaning leather.
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Remove Mold/Mildew from Leather Shoes
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Remove Ringworm Fungus
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Clean Leather Upholstery
Can I use shoe polish to make my leather sofa look more shiny?
Rue,
Do NOT use shoe polish on your couch! Shoe leather is not the same type of leather as furniture leather, and the shoe polish will not be able to soak into the furniture leather. Instead, it will sit on top of the surface, which will be sticky and probably transfer to your clothes for a long time afterward. Also, the shoe polish color will probably not match the color of your couch.
Instead, just clean the couch. That may be enough to restore the shine. If not, use a leather upholstery conditioner.
Source: Fibernew – Do not use shoe polish on leather upholstery
Source: HowToLearn.com – How To Take Care Of Leather Furniture
Source: eHow – How to Polish Leather Furniture
How do I remove blue permanent marker from my leather couch?
Helene,
This is the article that you need: How to Clean Permanent Marker.
How can I remove body lotion from my leather couch? It contains aloe.
Bern,
You may be able to remove the lotion with the method in this article: How to Remove Grease Stains from Leather. If that doesn’t work, you can try using this article: How to Clean an Oil Spill from Leather Upholstery.
Leather is from a cow hide – the cow’s skin. It won’t be mixed with anything else.
When you see urethane, this refers to the foam inside the cushions. Cotton may also refer to the inside of the cushions – the urethane may have a cotton cover.
You can try a vinegar and water mix on a damp cloth to reduce the oil stains, but the stain is not likely to come out, though it may fade over time. To prevent oil stains from your hair keep the head area of the sofa or chair covered with a throw or towel.
How do I get rust stains off of my pleather chairs?
Rozena,
This is the article that you need: How to Remove Rust Stains from Fabrics.
My husband’s recliner smells of dirty clothes. How can I get the smell off? The chair is only 10 months old.
Borghild,
These articles might help: How to Remove Sour Milk Smell from Leather Sofa or How to Remove Cigarette Smell from Leather.
Hello. I hope someone can give me some advice. I bought a leather headboard and it is a cream color and it is worn. I want to spray paint it. Has anyone done this and if so, what were the results and what kind of paint should I use?
How do I clean mildew off leather? Please.
Ann,
These are the articles that you need:
The How to Clean Mold and Mildew from Leather Furniture article says to use the same methods described in the How to Remove Mold/Mildew from Leather Shoes article. For smooth leather furniture, just a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water can be used to wipe the mildew away. Wipe the area with water afterward to remove any vinegar residue and then consider using a leather conditioner or linseed oil.
I need advice on cleaning a leather coffee table and end tables. Newspaper and magazine stains. Paper stuck.
Hi there. My leather headboard is damaged from Sunlight dish detergent. It has one spot of discoloration now. Are there any ways to fix the problem?
Thank you.
I have spilled nail polish remover on my mum’s sofa and it’s taken the color away from the wood and the leather. Any ideas of what I can use and were I can get it?
To remove grease oil from any kind of leather, use baby oil. Not baby wipes – baby oil. It worked like a charm!
I have a synthetic leather chair and it has gotten sticky. What can I use to clean it? It is 80% urethane foam and 20% blended cotton.
For Mary Ann,
Urethane Foam refers to the cushions. It’s one of the most common types of stuffing. Look for “100% genuine/whole cut leather” or “Bonded Leather” with %’s following of elements like vinyl, cotton, leather.
This is what my couches are: 60% vinyl, 22% cotton and 18% leather. We bought them from a friend who was moving and only had them for about a year. Therefore, I do not have any care instructions for them.
With the bonded leather, do I still need to condition? What’s the best way to clean? Should I worry about oils, like natural body oils, and preventing spots? I want to maintain my nice-looking couches. 🙂
Help; I have paint on my leather couch. How do I get it off without ruining my new sofa? Any help would be great.
A thick coating of baking soda will remove smells. Shake it on heavily, cover it if possible, and let it work. Be patient, and repeat if necessary. Good luck, y’all.
Help! I have a synthetic leather couch, that I got for free on craigslist, that has worn areas that the color has come off. So I took kiwi shoe polish to a cushion, and while it does look a little better, now it feels a little sticky and I have blotches of shoe polish that are darker in some places. What can I use to dissolve it? Its a great couch I do not want to have to give it up!
How can I get rid of a cigarette smell from my leather settee? I bought it second hand, and the person I bought it from smoked heavily and I cant get rid of the smell. Please help me!
The tag on my sofa says it is urethane foam. Does this refer to the cushions, or the covering? It was made in Italy.
I want to be sure to use the right cleaning agent.
I have a chocolate brown leather couch and it has motorcycle Hondabond on it. Does anyone, or any specialist, know how to remove this from my leather?
I have a leather-topped end table that has two ring stains on it. I seem to remember reading somewhere that I can clean it with cigarette ashes. Does anyone know if that is true, or is there another way?
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser’s site states that it is safe to use on leather. If you are worried, try it on a inconspicuous spot first.
To remove the smell of cat pee from your furniture, just sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda and leave for a few days. Then, vacuum it up. It worked for me.
I bought the product Quick n Brite from a home show years ago for my leather couch – it was beginning to look old and dingy with the years of buildup. Quick n Brite worked amazing! It softened the leather and I didn’t have to use a conditioner afterward. Since then, I have had pretty much everything happen to my couch – spilled juice, vomit, grease, etc. – and I just run to the sink and grab my Quick n Brite without having to worry! This product is a must-own for people with leather furniture or clothing!
I used hairspray with a Q-tip for it on a white leather couch at vacation property and it worked great.
DO NOT USE A MAGIC ERASER ON A LEATHER COUCH…
I used it on my beige leather couch and it made the area I cleaned discolor.
I did this mistake too; also took natural finish off of an arm chair. Who knew they were not for leather, lol. I thought they could be used for everything, according to the commercials.
Funny, I just used it on my grey leather couch and it worked great to get an ink stain out. I would do a test area first.
Called three companies that clean carpets, area rugs and leather furniture and all three said they would steam clean my love seat and two-arm chairs. Is it a safe process?
My husband sat on our white leather couch with his new belt and it’s left marks – looks like a train went over the furniture! I have an ink stain remover that I’ve used and I’ve been scrubbing and scrubbing – it’s lightened, but is still there. Does anyone have any suggestions? I’m wondering if the bleach idea would work? I’d appreciate all thoughts… It’s only nine months old! 🙂
I removed permanent marker from my couch with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Test first, it can remove color and carefully use only on the marker. I had quite a bit after a guest’s two-year-old found a marker in my daughter’s room and went straight for the couch!
I have successfully removed all kinds of smells (including smoke and mildew) from furniture, carpets, cars and even plastic by using dry, fresh (not brewed) coffee grounds. Sprinkle carpet or furniture with fresh coffee grounds and let set for a few days. Then vacuum. It will absorb the smell. It will smell like coffee for a few days, but will dissipate. If a car, leave closed up with the grounds in it, then vacuum. Have used it successfully many times.
We recently purchased a used saddle-colored Italian leather sofa. Great deal, except that it smells slightly of cigarettes. Any suggestions?
We just accidentally used bleach on our 10-year-old light beige couch. I was amazed at how easily the dirt came off. I just used a damp kitchen rag and then rinsed out the rag to wipe the bleach off and in 30 minutes, we had a couch that looked like it had just come from the furniture store. After that, I conditioned it twice with store-bought leather conditioner.
I use a normal shampoo or mild dishwasher for my sofa sets and these are quite effective without having any adverse effect on the texture or finish of my furniture.
I like Magic American’s leather spray on my leather couch (has worked on my boots, too!). You can get it online.
I use Method cleaning wipes on my leather chairs and in my car. They clean and moisturize lightly. Make sure to test in a hidden place first.