For tough dirt and grime, use a gentle moisturizing soap like Dove or baby shampoo. Lather the soap on with a cloth, being sure not to over-wet the leather, which can damage it. Do not rinse off the soap, just buff it away. The soap actually works as a leather conditioner.
Clean and maintain your leather furniture and other items
Then simply buff it off until it's dry. “Good old baby shampoo mixed in warm water is a fine leather cleaner,” say the experts at Saddleback Leather Co.
Treat leather
All you need is a little baby shampoo and a damp (not wet) cloth to buff your leather goods away, no rinsing necessary. The shampoo also doubles as a mild conditioner, which will help keep your beloved leather belongings looking nicer for longer.
Mix two cups of warm water, a tablespoon of natural baby soap and a splash of vinegar in a bowl. Use a microfiber cloth to rub the conditioning mixture into the leather, making sure not to soak the area. Simply moisten the leather and leave the conditioner on the furniture.
Dip a clean cloth in a bowl of warm water mixed with dish soap, then wring it out so it's damp, not wet. Dab or rub in small circles around the stain until it's buffed out. Don't rub back and forth; this causes additional wear and tear and harms the leather's surface. Dry the couch.
Homemade Leather Shoe Cleaner
For regular cleaning: Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and olive oil or beeswax. Apply a small amount on the shoes or belt. Let the concoction sit for a couple of minutes before buffing it with a soft cloth or chamois.
Be sure to avoid these products when cleaning your leather: Baking soda, white vinegar, cream of tartar, and lemon juice.
If the stain persists, try blotting with a towel dipped in a mixture of water and a mild dish soap (like Palmolive or Dawn). Be sure to blot gently; scrubbing rigorously can cause permanent damage to the leather. When you're done, thoroughly dry the spot with a fresh cloth.
Cleaning leather is a gentle art that requires the right products. You can seriously damage your leather furniture by using the wrong stuff to clean it. It's widely agreed that plain old dish soap and water are the best cleaners for all types of leather.
If you're unsure exactly what type of leather your sofa is, then it would probably be best to skip the Fairy Liquid method. Leather can be very sensitive and washing-up liquid has the potential to strip leather fabrics of their natural oils.
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.
In a nutshell, baby wipes are possibly the worst thing you can use to clean leather; they're an alkaline product designed to neutralise acid on urine, and destroy the finish on your suite (even if it isn't apparent while you're doing it!).
NEVER USE BABY WIPES TO CLEAN LEATHER
Many baby wipes contain chemicals, or other ingredients, that may cause leather to peel and crack over time. We strongly encourage you to limit baby wipe usage to its intended purpose and refrain from wiping down your leather furniture, apparel or anything else with baby wipes.
Mild dish soap, on the other hand, possesses a basic pH level between 7-8, and other general cleaners, such as Borax, usually find their way to around a basic 10. The contrast between leather pH levels and the cleaners' during contact damages leather fibers and can weaken its integrity over time.
Quite possibly the safest way to wash your leather clothes is by using a solution of soap and water. Handwashing with this solution should even help with difficult stains, and it won't damage the leather. Make sure you are using mild baby soap or a fabric softener, instead of regular soap or laundry detergent.
Another DIY idea to clean leather: Mix 1/2 cup of olive oil with 1/4 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Spritz on the seat, let sit for five minutes and wipe. The best way to keep leather car seats clean is to prevent stains. Wipe up spills as soon as they hit the seat.
Mix up a 1:10 ratio of Castile Soap to warm water in a bowl. Dip an old (but clean) towel into the mixture and clean your lounge using a circular motion. Make sure you reach all areas of the lounge. This process will require a bit of elbow great and patience.
If you prefer to use a homemade product, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a small bucket. Apply with a clean cloth. The cloth must be damp, not soaking wet. Wipe down all areas of your leather sofa, but focus on the spots, that are most soiled.
Treat stains as soon as they happen.
Then, dab the area with a soft, damp cloth (use warm water—no soap). You can also dampen a cloth with leather cleaner—but if you're using a product that comes in a spray bottle, spray it onto the cloth first rather than directly onto the surface of the leather.
TOP TIP: If you run out of baking soda and want a quick cleaning solution, don't reach for the washing-up liquid - it can damage leather and is known to cause cracking and wrinkling.
Regular maintenance cleaning:
Olive oil + white vinegar: shake together in a spray bottle, lightly mist leather bag, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
Using household oils — like olive oil or mink oil — on your leather will damage it. Instead, use a leather cleaning and conditioner product, like Leather Honey Leather Cleaner and Leather Honey Leather Conditioner.
Mix 1 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup coconut oil or EVOO, 1 tsp dish soap, and ten drops of an essential oil.