I have leather recliners that are dirty, what is the best way to clean them? Would soapy water work?

Answer 1

You would need to use a leather cleaner on them. You can do it yourself or call a local cleaning company (house cleaning) they may provide that kind of service. Do not use water, it may damage your leather for good.

Answer 2

You can theoretically use warm soapy water, however, water tends to stretch leather, then when it dries, it tends to shrink badly and becomes HARD.
You could also try using neatsfoot oil with some soap added, which would be akin to a leather cleaning product, however, it would be quite experimental in nature. You would need some surfactant (soap) and perhaps a bit of alcohol mixed in it.

The best thing to do is get a leather cleaning product, which will not 'wet' the leather, will clean it beautifully, and the leather will dry soft and supple.

Answer 3

Manufacturer's often have recommendations and the store from which you purchased the chairs might be of some help. Lacking that guidance, I would recommend that you use saddle soap for cleaning. This can often be found in either shoe care products, or at saddlery shops where leather goods for riding are sold. Any leather cleaning product will demand time and a lot of elbow grease, particularly chairs of considerable size. But a little patience should yield a job you will be proud of.

Answer 4

ABSOLUTELY NOT !!! The ONLY thing that I could find to EFFECTIVELY clean leather, etc was a kit that you buy at furniture stores... It is a leather cleaner and this followed by a leather softener(a type of lanolin oil).. the two bottles comes in a kit. DO NOT use water or any household cleaning things.. they do not work and leaves stains on the leather.

Answer 5

If the leather is a smooth leather, I would use 'saddle soap'. It's usually found in the shoe polish section. Rub on, rub off. Change rag often.
(your arms will fall off before your done though) BUT, the chairs will look like new again.

Perhaps calling your local furniture store and ask them what is best to use. They are the pros right?

Answer 6

Get a good leather cleaner and a matching conditioner. Available at most auto parts stores. Don't use a combo cleaner/conditioner if your chairs are really dirty.cynthetiq is correct, Lexol is good stuff.

Answer 7

I suggest trying saddle soap; it was originally intended to clean smooth leather boots, but can be used for larger items as well. It should not be used on sueded leather. http://www.shoeshinekit.com/saddlesoap.html

Answer 8

I have used Lexol cleaners on my leather... it works great

http://www.lexol.com/

soapy water will dry out the leather and make it crack, the lexol conditions the leather

Answer 9

yeah try just water and a rag first then move to just a little mild soap. if that doesnt work then you need to go to a leather shop and see what they recommend

Answer 10

I know you can buy leather cleaner for your car seats im sure that would work...