To tackle light, mild stains, dip a clean, damp washcloth in soapy, warm water and use it to wipe away the stain on your leather. You may need a specialty soap. “Specific leather soaps exist, [they're] usually called saddle soaps,” Pourny says. Don't leave wet spots as you clean leather furniture.
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.
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.
First, dip one cloth into the cleaning liquid and wring it out - it should be damp, and not dripping wet. If you're using bar soap, dampen the cloth and swipe it across the surface of the soap. Now, working from top to bottom, rub the cloth gently but firmly along the surface, taking care to go into the corners.
Be sure to avoid these products when cleaning your leather: Baking soda, white vinegar, cream of tartar, and lemon juice.
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.
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.
You should not use Windex on leather. It will ruin your leather product because it usually contains alcohol. Alcohol will dry out your leather, eventually making it unusable.
Mix 1 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup coconut oil or EVOO, 1 tsp dish soap, and ten drops of an essential oil. This amount will do a chair of this size. Wipe on and wipe off with a clean cloth. I tried it in a spray bottle and dipped the cloth into the blend.
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!).
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.
The best way how to clean a leather couch and the entire surface would be to mix 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part olive oil in a spray bottle and shake well. You can also add a few drops of fragrant essential oils to cut the vinegar scent.
To keep a leather sofa looking its best, it should be dusted weekly and given a more thorough cleaning monthly. Of course, spills and stains from mud, ink, or grease should be cleaned up and treated immediately. Along with regular cleaning, your leather sofa also needs regular conditioning to maintain its soft quality.
Household items like vinegar and oil can be used to repair small scratches on your favorite leather goods, while glue and sub-patches can be used to fix small tears in your leather furniture.
'Always stick to a mild dish soap to clean leather,' says Lucy Searle. 'Mix with warm water in a bowl and use to dampen a microfiber cloth, then wipe down the couch with the solution. ' Use a cloth dampened with plain water to wipe a second time, and dry with a third 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.
Leather is a sensitive fabric and can hold onto its natural oils. Using washing up liquid can strip leather fabrics of their natural oils and emollients. Experts suggest wiping away dirt with a damp cloth, then applying a moisturising product to keep leather supple.
Treating Leather Water Damage
Water strips leather of its natural oils and when wet leather dries, you'll often find that it has become dry and brittle.