How do you clean leather?

Answer 1

Continual contact with moisture (sweat, rain, urine, alcohol, etc.,) can cause the leather to stiffen. Before you start cleaning the full surface of your leather item, test out the cleaner on a smaller, less visible area. Wait a few minutes. If you don't notice any color distortion, proceed with the rest of the item.

· When cleaning your leather NEVER use strong detergents such as laundry detergent. Always choose a product that helps preserve the leather's natural lubricating oils rather than strip them away. Most cleaning products sold in department and shoe stores are safe. But, it never hurts to ask.

· Warm soapy water, using baby shampoo or a similar soap, is the best cleaning solution for removing difficult or oily marks, stains or odors. Rub baby shampoo into the area of any oily stains before rinsing. Try to avoid cleaners that leave any sort of grease or residue. Residue can make leather vulnerable to bacteria, which will tarnish the leather and eventually break down the stitching. To remove the excess cleaner, use a slightly dampened cloth or a small brush around the stitching.

· Make sure soap/shampoo is rinsed out thoroughly to avoid stiffening.

· Leather should never be dried in front of a direct heat source as this damages the leather and also causes the hide to stiffen. Make sure to clean and treat your leather before it's dry. Never use heat to dry leather (it should air-dry) and always stuff the garment while it's drying, in order to make sure it maintains its shape.

· When storing leather articles, don’t throw them to the bottom of the wardrobe, instead hang them up and make sure they are ventilated to prevent them from molding.

· Get a Nubuck cloth; it's a great leather care tool for cleaning and restoring your item to its original look.

· Clean your leather goods as often as you need to and make sure they're dust-free at all times.

· Never use caustic household chemicals to clean your leather items.

Answer 2

You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner. Maxi cleaner if it really dirty.

DO NOT use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones. (Most 'conditioners' contain waxes or oils)

BABY WIPES are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkiline cleaners to neutralise urine (acid) on babys skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.

Saddle soap is too harsh to use on todays furniture.

A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will aslo destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it. They are not cheap in the long run as you would need a lot to clean a whole leather sofa. A bottle of foam cleaner should do your furniture 1-2 times.

You should also follow this with a good water based leather protector which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.

If the leather has dye transfer from clothing or is very very dirty you can use a stronger cleaner called maxi cleaner which will probably bring it up well but must be used with care as it is a strong product developed especially for this kind of problem.

Source(s):

www.LTTsolutions.net
Leather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries

Answer 3

Depends on the leather.
There are cleaners out there that are good for spots, but to clean an entire garment, I'd look for a dry cleaners that has a Ram leather cleaning system.

Answer 4

Go to any automotive supply store, find the detailing dept. buy a container of leather cleaner, follow the directions. Automotive leather cleaner, i have found to work really well.

Answer 5

Saddle soap to clean it, and good shoe polish to bring out the finish.

Answer 6

If it's still on the cow I take it to the carwash. Common here in my part of Texas

Answer 7

my mom always get's this stuff at wlmart in the cleaning area and it is called i frogot the name but it say's on it clean lether hardwood floors and bathroom floor please that is the best thing to do if you ask me

Answer 8

Baby wipes are really handy!!

Answer 9

just wipe it down with a sponge