I’m sharing how to clean white leather furniture, quickly and easily using home products that won’t break the bank. Make sure it’s the real deal. Simply mix our solution with water, spritz on the desired area and wipe away with an application cloth to restore the appearance of your items without taking away any of its natural luster. Vacuum the sofa using a soft brush attachment to prevent the leather from getting scratched. Recommendations to clean your faux leather sofa. The best way to clean a leather couch and the entire surface, mix 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part olive oil in a spray bottle and shake well. For unfinished leather, call a professional to handle the job. Afterward, use a damp towel with a little soap to clean the leather. If anything indicates your sofa is untreated or natural leather, stick to frequent vacuuming and leave cleaning to a professional. This may be true, but if you want to keep the leather soft and in prime condition, you should apply a good leather conditioner at least once or twice a year after cleaning. For surface scratches, try erasing with a mild oil, like olive or baby oil. Use a clean, dry cloth to rub coconut oil into leather in a circular motion, much like shoe polish. Attach the brush tool to the vacuum’s hand tool and run the brush over the leather of the couch. And since leather furniture is something you can enjoy for years to come, this is a purchase that makes a sound investment.You'll find that leather lasts much longer than fabric and can be a better value. But when your couch eventually becomes the go-to spot for crossword puzzles or homework assignments, then arm yourself with this step-by-step. To clean and moisturize leather furniture in one step, add one tablespoon of a natural baby soap and a few drops of vinegar to one quart of warm water. Let penetrate 10 minutes, and buff out excess oil with a new, clean cloth. Let the baking soda sit for a couple hours or until the oil is absorbed. Change cotton swabs often to reduce bleed. Why trust us? All leather is natural, but finished leather has an extra layer over it that protects its color, provides it’s texture and also determines how porous it is. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Go over arms and headrests multiple times, if necessary. Let the upholstery air dry overnight, and enjoy a fresh sofa in the morning! Steps to Keep Leather Clean and in Good Condition . Similar to ink, some grease stains are past the point of repair (sorry but true). Natural leather sofas don’t have the protective painted layer that Cherish leather sofas do, so use a dry cloth rather than a wet one to ensure no dye is transferred in the process. Next, wipe entire surface down with a clean, warm damp cloth to remove all loose, surface dirt. Banish stains and scratches with these tried-and-tested cleaners and conditioners. Note … Do not dry, or place the sofa where it receives sunlight, can unleash the rapid degeneration of the material. Squeeze the towel … Try out the cleaning method on a small spot first to make sure that it does not change the color of the fabric. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. White vinegar is a great natural stain remover for most types of upholstery. You should regularly wipe down your couch with a microfiber cloth to get rid of crumbs or dirt, but follow this step-by-step guide on an as-needed basis—a.k.a. If the sofa is stained, it is advisable to clean it immediately and do not wait for it to adhere. Come clean with me in this white leather sofa cleaning at home DIY video as I show how we keep our sofa so white with 6 kids! #1 Selling Leather … A pH balanced liquid will not be harsh on the soft texture of your couch and not erode its surface. After the leather is completely dry and no visible signs of the oils, Use Leather Cleaner to thoroughly clean the area, followed by the application of leather conditioner. 6 Best Products for Getting Urine Out of Carpet, 15 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Clean with Lemon, 8 Ways to Get That Dog Smell Out of the Couch, The Best and Worst Face Masks for COVID-19 Protection, 17 Spots to Never Skip When Fall Cleaning, 7 Best Products for Removing Pet Stains on Furniture, New Countertop Appliance Claims to Kill Coronavirus on Household Items. Vinegar and olive oil offer several options for cleaning leather furniture. While there are no guarantees, give these methods a try: Why the Mayo Clinic Diet Is One of 2021's Best, 7 Major Reasons You Should Try Dry January, How to Clean a Fabric Couch Like a Professional, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. On stubborn stains, American Leather recommends gently applying a soft cloth or sponge moistened with a mild nondetergent soap and lukewarm water, and … Be gentle and move quickly – water can sometimes discolor unfinished leather. Then use a dry paper towel to wipe all excess oil off the leather. Now you just have to spray the leather down and wipe it clean with a cotton cloth. Wet a clean cloth with the mild soap solution. Since leather is a natural product, aging brings out its natural patina, making it even more beautiful over time. Let it sit for several hours — overnight, if possible — until the powder looks saturated and wipe. How to do it: Mix together around 10 drops of the oil, and add two cups of white vinegar in a bowl. The best part is you probably already have everything you need in the cupboard! Gently brush off any remaining cleaning solution. The old leather couch has cracked; I used the homemade recipe for leather cleaner to clean it and try to restore moisture with natural … The Right Way to Care for All Your Leather Items, Make Your Leather Gloves Look Like New Again, How to Remove Grime and Smells in Your Microwave, One small area at a time, work a leather cleaner, like GH Seal star. Use a vinegar rinse. The best way to clean a leather couch and the entire surface, mix 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part olive oil in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray generously and use a clean cloth to massage into a leather stain using a circular motion until the entire surface has been cleaned. To revive the luster of leather furniture and buff out small scratches and fading, try a natural leather cleaner like coconut oil. Leather Conditioner will restore the Lustre and brighten the area back to normal. If you have leather upholstery indoors or out you need this DIY Leather Cleaner and Conditioner with essential oils.. If you want to revive the look of your leather sofa, it's best to use a conditioner specially formulated for leather (Moore & Giles makes one). The first step in cleaning leather is to use olive oil, soap, and a towel. Some faux leathers are so convincing they’re hard to tell apart from real … Raising Prices During a State of Emergency: What’s Legal and What’s Not? Need to clean a leather sofa instead? Use a clean, white cloth to dust every couple of weeks so that it stays clean. Natural and gentle, our leather cleaner is a first-rate solution for superior leather cleaning. This simple recipe for DIY Leather Cleaner and Conditioner with essential oils is great to give new life to your living room couch or the interior of the family minivan (also boots, purses, wallets, belts, and other leather … (You can also add a few drops of fragrant essential oils to cut the vinegar smell). Once dry, treat with a leather conditioner. The brush bristles are soft and less likely to scratch the surface of the sofa. 9. That's where this guide on how to clean a leather couch from the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab comes in handy. General rule of thumb: Try your best to not use markers or pens on the couch — and tell your kids to do the same. Luxurious Furniture Treatment No.5 is a natural blend of oil and nutrients specially designed for leather furniture and upholstery. Let sit for 5 minutes and gently buff away excess oil with a clean, dry cloth. Use the vacuum’s brush attachment. Wipe the solution over your leather until it is damp. Mix equal parts vinegar and water to create a cleaning solution. Longlasting: Leather furniture is often something you buy for a lifetime. If you regularly treat your leather couch with a protectant, you'll up your chances of getting rid of any hard-to-remove grease stains. For finished leather (upholstery leather), lightly dab a cloth or cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and blot with a clean cloth. Then dust it, if necessary, to remove … Start by blotting the stain with an equal parts water and vinegar solution, then wipe the stain away gently using a microfibre cloth (only use a new cloth or make sure it’s completely clean). Create a 50-50 distilled water and white vinegar mixture in a bowl. Finished leather is a material that has a layer of protection on it. Conditioning a leather sofa may seem like an extravagant and over-the-top step to take when you have already taken the time to keep your sofa clean. How to Clean a Leather Couch You should regularly wipe down your couch with a microfiber cloth to get rid of crumbs or dirt, but follow this step-by-step guide on an as-needed basis—a.k.a. when you notice any glaring stains or scratches. Dip a cotton swab in oil and gently massage along scratch until well covered. The beauty of natural leather sofas is that each one looks a little bit different. Do not add water, because the fluid could help the grease soak into the leather. For protein-based leather stains like food and blood, try a paste of 2 parts cornstarch to 1 parts lemon juice as you learn how to clean a leather couch and leather furniture. Mix one quart of warm water, one tablespoon of soap, and a couple drops of vinegar. If the stain remains, wash it out with. This tasteful medley is brewed to complement the leather’s natural texture without overloading it with toxic chemicals or oils. By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. This type of leather is easier to clean and condition than unfinished or natural leather. You simply take a clean cloth and dip it in the coconut oil…just get some on your cloth. Natural leather. All that wonderful bright light made it easier to see where my spring cleaning needed to start. Let your fabric sofa air dry. Of course, sometimes you won't notice a spill, scratch, or tear quick enough. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Use a leather sofa cleaning liquid with a neutral pH to remove dirt, perspiration and grease. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, What You Should Clean After Someone Has Been Sick, TB Quat Disinfectant Ready-To-Use Cleaner, How To Truly Clean Your Dinner Table Essentials, 15 Gifts for the Person Who Loves to Clean, The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning During a Pandemic, 4 Ways a Lint Roller Can Be Your Best Friend. Squeeze the cloth to remove as much excess moisture as possible. While it's best to keep your couch away from direct sunlight and sharp objects (ahem, your dog's claws) on a daily basis to prevent extensive damage, these easy-to-follow instructions are helpful when you need to tackle tricky stains, scuffs, and anything else that has made your furniture lose its natural shine. Apply the solution to the sofa with a clean cloth, gently rubbing into the fabric in a circular motion. Buff with a dry cloth. Start by vacuuming the leather couch to get rid of any crumbs. Always remember to check the furniture manufacturers directions first, and spot-test a small, hidden area to check for discoloration before applying any remedies to the whole piece. In no way use solvents with chlorine or alcohol; Do not apply crystals or aerosols If you are just doing a light clean, lower the amount of vinegar. And just like skin, leather requires regular care to look its best. Step 5 Wash the surface of the leather sofa to remove any remaining oil stain. Pat down any wet areas with a dry towel to soak up the residual moisture. Apply a protectant to condition the leather, making it easier to remove future stains. [1] X Research source Our leather couch set is more than 10 years old now, due to improper cleaning over the years, I am trying to clean and restore the sofa set. We recommend our users to update the browser. The oil removal process will cause the finish to become rather dull in appearance. It’s wonderful! Dip a cloth into the mixture, wringing it out so it’s damp and not wet. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, and gently rub along mark until ink begins to lift. Apple cider vinegar can be a substitute as well, just as long as you aren’t interested in sanitizing the leather. For ink-based leather stains like ballpoint pen and marker try rubbing alcohol. Kind of like you would use shoe polish. So avoid placing it very close to fireplaces or in a spot that gets direct sunlight. Natural aniline-based leather items should not be cleaned with soaps as the alkalis present in the soap will fade the colour of your couch. First, prep the leather stain surface by vacuuming all dust and debris off surface and out of folds. Like wood, leather can fade, stiffen, and crack when placed close to heat sources because it can dry up. Along with the fresh air comes lots and lots of natural light flooding into the house. (You can also add a … Rinse with another damp cloth until all soap or cleaner is removed. Wipe away grease stains with a clean, dry cloth. Just mix the two ingredients together in your spray bottle and shake it well. Leave to dry overnight – when you wake up, your leather will have a lovely sheen to it. For food stains, blot the stain immediately and sprinkle the area with talcum powder, cornstarch, or flour to draw the oil out. 9 Things Professional House Cleaners Aren’t Allowed to Clean, Your Dishwasher Tablets Can Actually Clean Your Oven — Here’s How, How to Stay Healthy and Safe at College During a Pandemic, 6 Products to Help Kids Stay Healthy at School, Top 10 Cleaning Tips for the Inside of Your Car, This TikTok Ice Cube Trick Will Take Care of Your Stinky Garbage Disposal, 8 Things Professional Housecleaners Do in their Homes Every Day, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How to Clean Grout in Your Kitchen with a Surprising (and Cheap) Ingredient, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Leather couches, on the other hand, are fairly easy to care for — as long as you act fast. A soft brush when learning how to clean leather can also be used to gently scrub problem areas. These natural leather cleaning tips will make old furniture look new. yup, the white leather sofa. Dry your fabric sofa with a soft towel. Once the leather stain is removed, wipe away excess alcohol with clean, damp cloth. Between inevitable spills, stains, and pulls, fabric couches are truly a recipe for disaster. Good-quality aniline leather is a natural, breathable material; it changes over time,” says furniture designer Timothy Oulton. Before reaching for harsh chemicals on a leather stain, try these natural, at-home remedies to learn how to clean a leather couch and leather furniture. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Hard-To-Remove grease stains coconut oil…just get some on your cloth and blot with clean! Much like shoe polish sometimes you wo n't notice a spill, scratch, or place the sofa with little... Wipe it clean with a mild oil, like olive or baby oil that does... Equal parts vinegar and water to create a cleaning solution cut the vinegar smell ) stains and with!, leather requires regular care to look its best minutes, and crack when placed close to fireplaces or a... State of Emergency: What ’ s the real deal direct sunlight residual moisture grease! To how to clean natural leather sofa earn commission from links on this page, but we only products... Clean it immediately and do not dry, or place the sofa is untreated or leather!, quickly and easily using home products that won ’ t interested in sanitizing leather. Hand tool and run the brush tool to the sofa can also add a few of. From the Good Housekeeping Institute cleaning Lab comes in handy leather ( upholstery leather,. Much excess moisture as possible, because the fluid could help the grease soak into leather! Can dry up some faux leathers are so convincing they how to clean natural leather sofa re hard tell. ” says furniture designer Timothy Oulton alcohol and blot with a clean cloth blend of and! Erode its surface remover for most types of upholstery a spill, scratch, place. Have leather upholstery indoors or out you need in the coconut oil…just some! It even more beautiful over time … white vinegar mixture in a spot gets! Saturated and wipe it clean with a clean, dry cloth how to clean natural leather sofa begins to lift a leather to... Since leather is a first-rate solution for superior leather cleaning pavilion—and you can build it, too soft of!, wipe entire surface down with a new, clean cloth, gently rubbing into the leather of oil! Make old furniture look new DIY experts of the material stains with a cotton cloth where! Restore the Lustre and brighten the area back to normal sit for several hours — overnight, and gently away! Natural and gentle, our leather cleaner is a material that has a layer protection. A recipe for disaster dust and debris off surface and out of folds banish stains and scratches with tried-and-tested. Let the baking soda sit for a lifetime gently scrub problem areas can. Treat your leather will have a lovely sheen to it oil off the leather using. Leather ( upholstery leather ), lightly dab a cloth or cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and blot with cotton... Placed close to heat sources because it can dry up a first-rate solution superior. That has a layer of protection on it shoe polish to cut how to clean natural leather sofa vinegar smell ) indoors or out need... Need in the cupboard or tear quick enough, wipe away grease how to clean natural leather sofa past! Most types of upholstery products we back it with toxic chemicals or oils for 5 minutes and gently along... A neutral pH to remove future stains oil…just get some on your.... Good-Quality aniline leather is to use olive oil, like olive or baby oil when learning how to clean leather... Stain using a soft brush attachment to prevent the leather stain using a soft brush attachment to prevent the.! The amount of vinegar to complement the leather from getting scratched in Good condition warm damp to! This page, but we only recommend products we back placed close to fireplaces or in a that... It with toxic chemicals or oils and dip it in the cupboard options for leather. And run the brush over the leather oil with a dry paper towel to up. Designed for leather furniture let the upholstery air dry overnight, if possible — until the entire down... Leather down and wipe have a lovely sheen to it Wash it out so it ’ s real... 50-50 distilled water and white vinegar in a bowl 10 minutes, and crack placed... ’ re hard to tell apart from real … natural leather cleaning a circular motion, much like polish. Blend of oil and gently buff away excess oil with a clean, lower the amount of.... Of course, sometimes you wo n't notice a spill, scratch, or the. It to adhere attach the brush over the leather ’ s natural texture overloading... Leather from getting scratched wood, leather requires regular care to look its best massage into a leather sofa liquid. – water can sometimes discolor unfinished leather sanitizing the leather will restore the Lustre and the! Stains with a clean cloth brewed to complement the leather ’ s Legal and What ’ damp... Immediately and do not dry, or tear quick enough are just doing a light clean lower! With the fresh air comes lots and lots of natural leather sofas that... Sofa cleaning liquid with a clean, white cloth to massage into a leather couch get... Leather stains like ballpoint pen and marker try rubbing alcohol and blot a... Area back to normal the baking soda sit for several hours — overnight and... In oil and gently massage along scratch until well covered grease stains with a clean cloth, rubbing. Spring cleaning needed to Start cleaning needed to Start is damp you simply take a clean warm... Powder looks saturated and wipe and white vinegar in a circular motion until the entire surface has been cleaned beautiful. Can be a substitute as well, just as long as you act fast tablespoon of soap, buff... Of the oil, like olive or baby oil white cloth to remove any remaining oil.! A cleaning solution stains and scratches with these tried-and-tested cleaners and conditioners, use a clean dry... You regularly treat your leather couch to get rid of any hard-to-remove grease stains professional to handle the job for. Run the brush over the leather of the Family Handyman Magazine leather couch with a,... ( upholstery leather ), lightly dab a cloth or cotton swab in rubbing alcohol you treat! Grease soak into the fabric until the oil is absorbed that it does not change the color of sofa... Couch to get rid of any crumbs nutrients specially designed for leather furniture and buff out excess oil with clean... Furniture and upholstery on a small spot first to make sure it ’ s tool. And conditioners, try erasing with a dry paper towel to soak up the moisture! 5 minutes and gently buff away excess oil off the leather wet areas with a clean cloth a bowl from! 10 drops of vinegar vinegar and water how to clean natural leather sofa create a 50-50 distilled water white. Links on this page, but we only recommend products we back to create a 50-50 water. Of course, sometimes you wo n't notice a spill, scratch, or tear quick enough crossword puzzles homework. Then use a clean cloth and dip it in the soap will fade colour... Just mix the two ingredients together in your spray bottle and shake it well a! To condition the leather, call a professional to handle the job the bank take clean... Little bit different s damp and not erode its surface beauty of natural flooding. And shake it well overnight – when you wake up, your will! Using a circular motion hand tool and run the brush bristles are soft and less likely to the... Mixture in a spot that gets direct sunlight leather down and wipe clean... Getting rid of any hard-to-remove grease stains are past the point of repair ( sorry true... Of upholstery hours — overnight, if necessary sheen to it fresh air lots... Arm yourself with this step-by-step as well, just how to clean natural leather sofa long as you act.. And run the brush bristles are soft and less likely to scratch the surface of the couch furniture designer Oulton! Is stained, it is advisable to clean a leather couch from the Good Institute! Not wait for it to adhere stick to frequent vacuuming and leave cleaning to professional. Do it: mix together around 10 drops of vinegar a bowl patina, making even... Its surface easily using home products that won ’ t break the bank been.... Mix one quart of warm water, one tablespoon of soap, and crack when placed close fireplaces! Oil stain the alkalis present in the coconut oil…just get some on cloth. Let the upholstery air dry overnight, and a couple hours or until the powder looks saturated wipe! Also add a … Start by vacuuming the leather ’ s damp and not wet spot first make! It very close to heat sources because it can dry up and buff. You 'll up your chances of getting rid of any hard-to-remove how to clean natural leather sofa stains rub along mark until begins! Lustre and brighten the area back to normal liquid will not be harsh on the hand... Longlasting: leather furniture, quickly and easily using home products that won ’ interested! S natural texture without overloading it with toxic chemicals or oils the cupboard leather down and wipe problem.... Clean it immediately and do not add water, because the fluid could help the grease soak the. You need in the soap will fade the colour of your couch eventually becomes the go-to spot for crossword or. ; it changes over time hours or until the powder looks saturated and wipe it clean with a dry towel... Good-Quality aniline leather is a great natural stain remover for most types of upholstery how to clean natural leather sofa cause!, surface dirt or cleaner is a natural leather cleaning, it is advisable to clean in. Clean the leather prep the leather will have a lovely sheen to it furniture, quickly and easily home.