How to clean a white leather couch?

Question

The couch has never been properly cared for, and it's very dingy, also, the leather is more of a coarse type of leather, rather than smooth. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

The couch belonged to my father, and the stains are mostly nicitine.

Answer 1

Go to the supermarket shoe care section and get some Kiwi Saddle soap. It's safe for any and all dyed or undyed leather. It'll cost you less than 5 bucks and it applies with a damp sponge. It Moisturizes and softens leather. It won't affect the color either. And Don't fall for furniture guys telling you that it's to harsh for your leather. As soon as they do, they will try to sell you some expensive leather cleaner that does exactly the same thing. I use Saddle Soap on vintage and new leather with great results.

Answer 2

You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner. Maxi cleaner if it really dirty or with dye transfer which is usually the problem on a white or pale colour

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

It is an aniline leather, rough, untreated, not smooth?
Look in the phone book under carpet cleaners, many of them clean leather as well, I used to clean leather for a living, and the untreated kind is very difficult. It usually requires buffing the entire surface with a special cleaner and then applying a protective/moisturizer. Call a professional to look it over, and in the mean time don't try to clean it with water or any kind of household cleaner, you'll destroy it

here's a link to help you find a pro: http://www.iicrc.org/

Answer 4

I have leather furniture also, 1 set cream, 1 set chocolate coffee brown, use micro fibre clothes to clean them, micro fibre clothes use only water I buy mine from Norwex, but you can find all purpose micro fibre clothes at dif. retail stores. But make sure they are micro fibe of a good quality. They also have many other uses you will love the way it works on those nicotine stains. With regular use and some conditioner you will think you have a new sofa.

Answer 5

You should have scotch guard it from the very beginning,then all you would've had to do is touch ups with any good leather cleaner.I think you're going to have to have it professionally cleaned if you can't afford to,clean it with a leather cleaner.After you clean or have it cleaned scotch guard it yourself.It's way cheaper.Good Luck.

Answer 6

I own white leather. I use a small bucket of mild ivory liquid in warm water and use a rag or a sponge. Wash it all down, rinse with clear water. Repeat. It looks and smells great.

Answer 7

go to cvs or any supermarket and buy 'WOOLITE foam cleaner for fabric & upholstery'. believe it or not it safely cleans leather! it also has an odor eliminator. try it!