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Clean leather furniture with vinegar


How to Clean Leather Furniture

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With its sumptuous texture and supple feel, leather furniture provides an element of luxury to your room decor. Fortunately, despite its opulence, leather doesn’t require the kind of painstaking maintenance you might associate with other refinements. Inevitably, however, there comes a time in the life of all leather chairs, chaises, and sofas when a little care is called for. Rest assured that it’s not difficult to learn how to clean leather furniture, and the process involves only supplies that most homeowners keep readily at hand.

Tools & Materials

STEP 1: Vacuum the furniture thoroughly.

When you set out to clean leather furniture, the first step in how to clean a leather couch or chair is to remove all dust and loose debris from the piece. You can do so easily by means of a vacuum cleaner outfitted with a brush attachment. Don’t forget to clean between the cushions of the furniture, if there are any. Once finished, wipe the whole thing down with a cotton or microfiber cloth.

STEP 2: Inspect the furniture carefully.

Having inspected the furniture in the course of dusting and wiping it down, you now understand which parts of the piece look the worse for wear. These are the areas where you’re going to focus the lion’s share of your cleaning efforts.

STEP 3: Apply diluted vinegar to problem areas.

To address the problem areas, you can use a simple but effective homemade cleaner, comprising equal parts vinegar and water. Mix the two in a small bucket, then dip in the corner of a cloth. Wring out the cloth so that it’s damp but not wet, then proceed to wipe down the soiled parts of the leather. Rinse the cloth after every few strokes to avoid spreading any dirt.

STEP 4: Wipe down the leather promptly.

Photo: istockphoto. com

Next, follow up with a dry cloth, making sure to go over every area that you treated with the water-and-vinegar solution. At no point during the process should you let the leather become soaking wet; saturation is one of the material’s enemies.

STEP 5: Apply conditioner and buff the furniture.

When you’re satisfied with your leather couch cleaning, apply a small amount of a commercial or homemade leather conditioner to a clean, lint-free cloth. Select an inconspicuous spot on the piece of furniture and apply the conditioner by rubbing in a circular motion. Be sure to thoroughly rub the conditioner into the leather, and then let it sit for an hour or so.

Check the spot and if you are satisfied with the results, apply conditioner in a similar manner to the rest of the piece of furniture, section by section. Buff the conditioner with a clean cloth, and then let the piece thoroughly air dry before you settle in with your popcorn.

Other Tips for Cleaning Leather

Photo: istockphoto. com

Has a careless guest spilled something, and you’re wondering how to clean leather furniture to banish the stain? Don’t despair—you can probably prevent the accident from leaving a permanent stain, but to be successful, you’ll need to work quickly. Different stains demand different remedies.

How to Degrease Leather

Wipe away grease stains with a clean, dry cloth. Do not add water, because the liquid could help the grease soak into the leather. If the grease has dried by the time you notice it, try sprinkling baking soda onto the area in order to draw out the grease. Leave the baking soda on for a few hours, then brush it off with a rag.

How to Remove Ink and Mold

Rubbing alcohol may be the key to removing ink from leather. Dab alcohol onto a cotton swab, then wipe the stain until it clears. Keep in mind for the future that many homeowners have reported luck using rubbing alcohol to remove pesky patches of either mold or mildew on furniture.

How to Clean White Leather

White and beige leather are notoriously vulnerable to stains. To remove dark-colored spots from such pieces, opt for a mixture of equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar. Combine the two into a paste, apply it to the stain, then leave it in place for 10 minutes. Wipe it away with a damp cloth.

Generally speaking, be wary of experimenting with stain-removal products on leather; some may do more harm than good. Always first try a cleaning agent on an inconspicuous part of the furniture. That way, if things go awry, nobody is likely to notice!

If none of the above tips or tricks prove helpful, consider seeking the assistance of a pro.

FAQs About How to Clean a Leather Sofa or Leather Chairs

Photo: istockphoto.com

Having read through our process as outlined above, you’re nearly an expert in leather cleaning and will soon be ready to show off your clean leather couch. Check out these last bits of info to truly understand the dos and don’ts of how to clean leather chairs or other leather furniture.

Then, simply gather a few supplies and get to work. You’ll wonder why you didn’t clean your leather furniture sooner!

Q. What is the best thing to clean leather furniture with?

After a thorough dusting with a clean, soft cloth, the best thing to clean leather furniture with is a 50-50 solution of white vinegar and water, which is wiped gently across the surface of the leather to clean it.

Q. Is Vaseline bad for leather?

Vaseline will add an immediate shine and suppleness to leather, but its effects are not long-lasting. You are better off following the steps above to get long-lasting conditioning and cleaning results.

Q. What should you not clean leather with?

Don’t attempt to clean your leather furniture with harsh commercial cleaning solutions such as window cleaner. You should also avoid olive oil, hairspray, shoe polish, and fingernail polish remover.

Q. How often should you clean leather?

You can clean your leather furniture as often as every 6 weeks, but you can also almost certainly stretch out your cleanings to twice a year.

How to Carefully Clean Leather With Household Materials

A little soap or vinegar does the trick

Reviewed by

Brandon Pleshek

Reviewed by Brandon Pleshek

Brandon Pleshek of Clean That Up! is a seasoned veteran of the cleaning industry with over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential cleaning. He is a member of The Spruce's Cleaning and Organizing Review Board

Learn more about The Spruce's Review Board

Fact checked by

Sarah Scott

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

The Spruce / Danielle Holstein

Project Overview

The best way to clean leather furniture is to do it gently—the gentler your cleaning method, the better. Leather is a very forgiving material, and just a tiny amount of regular care goes a long way. The jury is out whether soapy water or vinegary water solution is best, but both work wonders. For a quick leather cleaning, you can gently wipe down the surface using a microfiber cloth and equal parts vinegar and water to remove light dirt. For a deeper cleaning, it's helpful to incorporate mild soap.

Stains happen, and so do dust and dirt. However, harsh cleansers on leather can leave stubborn stains that are hard to remove. This approach is especially true for aniline leather which can become stained easily as it does not have a surface protective layer.

Tip

Vinegar is a practical, inexpensive household product that naturally cleans and removes stubborn stains from leather. However, to ensure it doesn't ruin or discolor the leather before cleaning, test the vinegar solution on a small, hidden part of the item to check it can handle it.

Click Play to Learn How to Clean Leather Furniture Quickly and Easily

Clean any stains immediately, so they do not have a chance to set. Older stains that have had time to dry and set may be harder to remove, and these gentler cleaning methods may not work so well.

It is best to clean your leather furniture regularly to prevent dirt buildup. Save your furniture manufacturer's instructions, and follow them for the care and cleaning of your leather furniture. Those instructions are targeted towards the specific type of leather used in your furniture. It is very helpful to have them when there are difficult stains on your upholstery.

The 9 Best Leather Sofas of 2023

Equipment / Tools

Materials

When there are no instructions, the single best and simplest way to clean leather is with a very small amount of very mild soap, such as Dove or Ivory. This process works on most stains and for general cleaning and upkeep. Always test an inconspicuous spot first and allow it to dry.

The Spruce / Danielle Holstein

  1. Use a Microfiber Cloth First

    Before cleaning it with soap and water, go over it with a dry microfiber cloth. It will get most of the dirt.

    The Spruce / Danielle Holstein 

  2. Moisten Cloth Slightly

    Once you are done, moisten a cloth very slightly; wipe it across a bar of mild soap. If you are using liquid soap, use a very slight amount. Now, clean the surface of your furniture with this damp cloth.

    The Spruce / Danielle Holstein 

  3. Do Not Rinse; Instead, Buff with a Dry Cloth

    Never let the leather get overly wet, and remember to not rinse after cleaning with the soap. Simply buffing with a soft cloth is all you need. The moisture from the soap will condition the leather as it cleans. Polish if you need to, but just using this method is enough.

    The Spruce / Danielle Holstein 

  4. Remove Tough Stains With Lather or Vinegar Solution

    When treating a stain, your best bet is to first try a gentle method that works on most stains: soap lather. A tougher stain may need a more heavy-duty approach, like a vinegar solution.

    First, get several rags to use for wet wiping and drying. Use a clean, soft, absorbent cloth. If the stain comes from a liquid, blot up as much as possible. Do not wipe it, as that can make the stain bigger and unmanageable. Dampen the cloth with water, but do not make it soggy since it can leave water stains. To control it, spray water onto the rag and wring out the excess before using.

    Apply a small amount of soap to the damp cloth and work it into a lather. Work the lather into the leather gently. Soft circular motions work well—no need to rinse. Absorb any excess moisture with a clean, dry cloth.

    If you have a problematic or stained area, make a solution of half water and half vinegar. Dip a rag into the solution, wring out the cloth, so it’s damp but not wet, and wipe down the furniture. Repeatedly rinse the cloth to avoid spreading the stain.

    The Spruce / Danielle Holstein

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Reliable and Scientific Tips for Cleaning with Vinegar. National Science Foundation.

How to clean a leather sofa at home

Modern samples, thanks to their thoughtful design and construction, from leather upholstery as a finishing element, only add sophistication and elegance to themselves. Any furniture in the apartment is used daily by people. We open the cabinet doors and pull out the chest of drawers. We try to protect those surfaces that we have to touch more often with various kinds of covers. We put a blanket on the bed. We cover the surface of the table with a tablecloth. Only the sofas and armchairs, despite being the most frequently used, remain open. If you can still pick up a cape on fabric upholstery and at the same time everything will look organic, then this will not work with leather products. You didn’t buy such a set, definitely not cheap, to hide it under a cape.

It remains to either refrain from using it for its intended purpose, or prepare for the fact that you have furniture that requires special treatment and care. We suggest you find out in advance how to clean a leather sofa from stains and dirt at home. Regularly transporting the product to a specialized dry cleaner or calling a team of specialists at home is troublesome and expensive. In some cases, professional equipment and specialized preparations are indispensable. But ordinary cleaning is quite within the power of everyone to do.

Daily care of upholstered furniture

The most important thing for the preservation of such products is a comfortable environment - constant temperature, moderate humidity and no direct sunlight. Simply following these requirements will prolong the appearance of the headset. More effective methods of maintaining cleanliness will be needed only with significant contamination. This article contains the most common ways to care for such things. The ingredients used for this are publicly available and are in every home. We will tell you in detail what and in what cases you can use.

Use a vacuum cleaner

At least once a week, along with the general cleaning of the apartment, vacuum your rest area. On a smooth glossy surface, dust is visible just as well as on a polished one. But, before cleaning a leather sofa, take a closer look at the nozzles used. Whether they are metal or plastic, they can damage the skin. There should be no sharp edges or corners. A small scratch on the protective layer will lead to further damage and cracks. The degree of safety of the furniture depends on your attentiveness and accuracy.

If the coating is fluffy, it is not recommended to use a vacuum cleaner for cleaning. Dust and dirt should be swept away only with a soft bristle brush and all movements should be made strictly in its direction. The same applies to corrugated trim elements.

Wet cleaning

After removing large debris and dust, it is necessary to wipe the entire upholstery. Such a procedure will help remove contaminants that have not been pre-cleaned, but have not yet had time to penetrate into the pores of the material. We dilute a little soap in clean warm water, you can use liquid soap. Even better if it has a moisturizing effect. We moisten a soft sponge in the solution, wring it out well and wipe all accessible surfaces, not pressing hard. This procedure will help you, without any cleaning products, at home, wash the dirt off the leather sofa before it penetrates the structure. We wait 15-20 minutes until the solution dries, and wipe it along with the lagging dirt.

A good effect is obtained by using ordinary Vaseline or baby oil instead of a cleaning solution. Apply the composition to the product and, after waiting a quarter of an hour, wipe everything with a dry cloth, making polishing movements. Under the influence of external conditions, the skin dries up from time to time, which leads to its cracking and loss of presentation. Treatment with such oils moisturizes and softens leather upholstery. It restores its softness and shine.

Beaten egg white can be used for this purpose. The natural component works more effectively. But, if the coating is old and dotted with a network of cracks and damage, there is a risk that the organic matter will not be completely removed by wiping. Its remains can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and microorganisms.

How to clean stains on a leather sofa and wipe off stubborn dirt

Before proceeding with direct removal, read the accompanying passport for your furniture from its manufacturer. The upholstery material, the type of dye used and a list of recommended care products are necessarily indicated there. If such a document is not available for any reason, check all formulations for interaction with the coating in places that are not conspicuous before use.

Try soapy water, petroleum jelly, or baby oil first. Most types of pollution are amenable to these means. You can use special ones designed for skin care:

All of them have a composition that not only destroys dirt, but also protects the product, creating a barrier from environmental influences, and restoring the structure. Thereby extending the service life. Before cleaning your leather sofa with an unfamiliar product at home, carefully read the instructions. Compositions not intended for skin treatment should not be used. Preparations intended for smooth material are not suitable for suede and nubuck. And vice versa.

Additional detergent components that can be used in the fight against pollution are also familiar to every housewife:

With some care you can use:

This set is enough to keep the furniture in good condition. Any dirt is easier to remove while it is fresh. The more neglected the situation, the more actively and aggressively the means will have to be used. For application and processing, use only foam sponges, flannel cloths, microfiber and soft brushes with natural bristles. But don't put too much effort into caring for a leather sofa. Otherwise, the paintwork or protective layer may be damaged, or the upholstery may stretch or tear.

Classification of stains and how to deal with them

Most often, unexpected stains on furniture come from food and drink. If you have not made it a rule to ban eating in the rest corner, these further tips are for you.

Grease marks

When the stain is very fresh, do not rub it with a cloth. So you only increase the area of ​​​​contamination and press particles of fat into the pores, which will become more difficult to remove from there.

Sprinkle any absorbent on the mark - chalk, talc, starch, salt, soda. Allow a few minutes for the grease particles to soak in and gently sweep everything off. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated. Then wash the entire area with soapy water or dishwashing detergent.

Old stains are removed by covering with soapy water or petroleum jelly. Allow to stand for 15-20 minutes and wipe with a dry cloth.

Spilled drinks

Freshly spilled tea, coffee, beer, wine and other liquids should first be blotted with a dry cloth. Then sprinkle with any available substance to absorb residual moisture. After a few minutes, remove the remaining dirt, wash the place with soapy water.

We try to clean a leather sofa from old stains in the same way as other dirt. First we try to soak with any warm detergent composition, and then we wipe it with a rag. If that doesn't help, try using Vaseline. If this does not work, as an extreme method, you can use a solution of ammonia, alcohol or lemon juice. But on painted products, we must first check the action in a hidden area. In order not to discolor the treated area. After processing, we rinse again, wipe everything thoroughly with clean water, dry it with a napkin and apply a layer of petroleum jelly or oil. The unpleasant smell after spilled beer is removed by adding a little ammonia to the water.

Blood stains

Blood stains, whether fresh or dried, can only be treated with cold water or solutions. Heat accelerates clotting and makes cleaning difficult. If the pollution has not had time to dry, apply talc, starch, soda on it and let it soak. Then remove the resulting slurry and wash the area with cold water and any detergent.

Moisten old stains with soapy water and let stand in this form for about twenty minutes. Then you need to rinse the leather sofa with a damp sponge, let it dry and grease it with petroleum jelly or baby oil, protecting it from drying out.

Ink and marker marks

These marks can be easily removed with weak alcohol solutions or acetone. But check if this concentration will affect the coloring layer. Sometimes small spots can be erased with an ordinary eraser.

Microbial Infestation

A common skin problem is mold and mildew. A contributing factor can be increased humidity in the room, spilled and not cleaned liquid, and even poorly wiped furniture after washing. It is especially necessary to carefully monitor products that have abundant folds and additional elements.

If a colony of spores is found, immediate disinfection is required. This is best done by wiping the area with a mild vinegar solution. But, without allowing the composition to be absorbed, rinse everything with detergent and wipe with clean water and napkins. Launched cases of mold damage to a leather sofa cannot be washed off on their own, like ordinary dirt. The fungus penetrates deep into the structure. To get it, you will need the effort of professionals and special operating means.

Care instructions for light colors

Keeping such furniture clean turns out to be an additional hassle for the owner. Any blots on such a surface stand out especially brightly. In part, this inconvenience is offset by the ability to use more radical cleaning products.

Many steps are the same as for painted products. Vacuum and wipe regularly. First with a damp sponge, then with Vaseline. We only note the distinctive features that can be used on such headsets:

If you are going to clean a white or light leather sofa at home, do not forget to test the product on an inconspicuous area before treating the base. And after washing with water, dry and lubricate the surfaces with nourishing baby oil.

Restoration of scuffs and scratches

You can easily repair leather goods yourself. After the standard cleaning procedure, allow the material to dry and carefully inspect it in good light from different angles. Over time, scratches and worn spots form on any surface. Under the influence of cleaning agents, the painted surface also brightens. To restore the appearance, you can use special tools. Whitish spots are returned to their juiciness with cream-paint for leather products. To hide cracks, treatment with a spray or napkins impregnated with a restorative composition based on wax or silicone helps.

Restoration of wooden elements

If your suite has decorative inserts and armrests made of wood, they also need to be looked after. The already tested furniture polish and petroleum jelly will help you with this. They will help hide minor scratches on lacquered surfaces, and remove whitish stains left after hot cups.

A few more tips for caring for furniture

In this article we tried to tell you how to wash and how to clean leather sofas and armchairs. But no matter how hard you try, no matter how carefully you use them, over time, the coating wears out, tears and loses its presentability. If earlier such a product was considered to have served its time and was thrown away, modern technologies allow it to return to its second youth. Only such a procedure requires special tools, consumables and some experience in their use.

Leather repairs

These are done in leather repair shops. But for those who like to make their own hands, all means are quite affordable. And the necessary skills are developed in the course of actions. What opportunities exist in this service sector:

Thus, the old product is returned to its original appearance. Such work will cost much less than a complete alteration of new upholstery or the purchase of other furniture.

All about methods and means of cleaning the surface of leather sofas

November 28, 2017

Furniture care

20 minutes

All furniture needs maintenance, and leather furniture is no exception. This is a more whimsical and capricious material: it must be regularly wiped from dust, moistened, prevent damage and quickly respond to stains.

Settling dust gradually penetrates the porous structure of the material, so it becomes more and more difficult to remove it every day. To prevent this from happening, vacuum the sofa once a week and wipe the sofa regularly with a damp calico or flannel cloth. Do not forget about the folds and seams, where a lot of dirt always collects.

Leather upholstery loses elasticity over time and begins to crack due to the evaporation of natural oils from the surface. To slow down this process, use moisturizers (cream or conditioner) and keep the room at a moderate humidity, around 70%. It is not recommended to place a leather sofa close to heating appliances.

If you are planning to leave for a month or more, throw a special natural material cover over the sofa: it will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface.

How to properly clean a leather sofa?

Clean your leather sofa for the first time after purchase. Use a special cleaner and a soft brush for this. After a couple of minutes, remove the remnants of the product with a napkin. When the surface dries, apply a special cream. It is easy to do this with a soft cloth. The cream will create a protective coating, and in the future it will be easier to clean the sofa from dirt.

Follow this sequence for all subsequent cleanings:

A steam cleaner can be an alternative to a vacuum cleaner. Walk several times over the entire surface, stopping at the dirtiest areas. Then remove excess moisture with a soft cloth.

If a stain is noticed, apply the cleaner to the stain and blot with a tissue. Do not rub the dirt on the skin, as this will only increase the size of the stain. And do not rub the surface too long and thoroughly: you can damage the structure of the material by “rubbing” the pores.

Moist skin can easily grow fungus or mold, especially in poorly ventilated rooms, so do not forget to wipe the sofa with a dry cloth after cleaning.

Cleaning products

The documents for the sofa must indicate the type of leather used for the upholstery. Many manufacturers write what exactly can and cannot be used to clean a particular model, be guided by this information. Buy a cleaning agent immediately after purchasing the sofa, do not wait for the first stains to appear.

If no documents can be found, choose a neutral cleaner and test it on an inconspicuous area. Wait until the material dries - sometimes the defect can only appear on a dry surface.

Special cleaners require strict dosing - never pour by eye. For general cleaning, choose soft, gentle products with abundant foam, and apply stain removers pointwise to dirt.

Home remedies

Light soiling can be removed with a soft cloth and soapy water. To prepare it, mix two tablespoons of liquid soap and a spoonful of ammonia in a glass of water. You can use apple cider vinegar instead of soap. Soak a cloth in this solution and wipe the surface, then go over it again with a dry cloth.

Stain removal

How to deal with dust, we figured out, now let's talk about removing more serious dirt.

Spot type Cleaning method
Grease stains If the stain has just appeared, sprinkle it with salt and leave for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the salt and wipe the skin with a soft cloth. Table soda will cope with old stains: dilute a spoonful of soda in a glass of warm water, mix, and then wipe the stain with this solution until foam forms. Remove the remaining foam with a napkin and repeat the process again.
Blood Cold soapy water will help clean the sofa of fresh blood. In no case do not use warm water - this way you "fix" the stain on the skin, and it will be ten times more difficult to remove it. An aspirin tablet dissolved in a glass of water will help against dried blood stains.
Paints or markers Marker or pen stains can be treated with an alcohol solution. Moisten a cotton pad and gently remove the stain. Alcohol helps the oils evaporate, so be sure to follow up with a moisturizing conditioner or cream after cleansing. Do not use acetone for cleaning, it can damage the leather.
Drink marks To remove tea or coffee stains, first wipe the skin with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture, and then sprinkle with salt. After a couple of minutes, brush off the salt and go over the stain with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol. Red wine stains are the hardest to get out, so don't delay the process: the sooner you clean the sofa, the more likely you'll be able to save it.
Wax or gum In this case, ordinary ice will help. Wrap it in cellophane or a thin rag and apply it to the stain. Wait 10-15 seconds, and then remove the stain with the blunt side of the knife.

Mold and Mildew Removal

Fungus or mold on leather furniture is caused by high humidity in the home or excess moisture on the surface. To combat them, use specialized tools that are easy to find in a furniture store.

Vinegar solution is suitable for home remedies: mix it at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 100 ml of water, moisten a cotton pad, wipe the infected surface, and remove the residue with a dry cloth before the solution is absorbed into the skin. Periodically check the sofa for mold - the longer it "lives" on the skin, the more difficult it will be to remove.

How to clean a white leather sofa?

The white sofa looks more impressive than its black "brother", but it is much more difficult to care for it. If you prefer home remedies, use a mixture of beaten egg white and half a glass of milk for cleaning. Soak a cloth in it and wipe the surface of the sofa. With fresh greasy stains, heated milk, ammonia or vinegar in a weak concentration will cope. Toothpaste will help against simple dirt: apply a little paste on a soft-bristled brush and gently wipe the stain. After cleaning, do not forget to apply a moisturizer - it will not allow the skin to dry out and protect it from dust and high temperatures.

What must not be used for maintenance?

When choosing a cleaning agent, immediately exclude ordinary stain removers, washing powders with abrasive particles, grease-removing dish gels, chlorine products and hard brushes from the list. In no case do not use sharp objects: the skin is easy to damage and scratch, and to eliminate traces you will have to buy a special tool.

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