How do I clean leather?

Leather products

Leather products are among the common and multi-use products due to their distinctive properties, which include their high resistance to bending and tearing, and the good thermal insulation they provide. Among the most prominent characteristics of them are also that they are resistant to water and abrasion, have a good thickness, and a soft appearance, but you must pay close attention. To how to clean it and protect it from any harm, we will mention here the methods of cleaning leather, depending on the type of stains and the type of leather used.

How to clean leather

Leather is one of the products that requires very high care, in order to always look pleasant and elegant to the eye. The cleaning method varies according to the type of skin and the stain on it. Here we mention several methods that explain the cleaning mechanism and the type of targeted skin, to obtain a satisfactory result:

• Vinegar lotion: The cleaning mechanism here is done by mixing an equal amount of water with an equal amount of vinegar, making sure they are mixed well, then starting by dipping a piece of cloth in the solution, and wiping the skin in a gentle way, and reducing the amount of vinegar if the goal is periodic cleaning without stains on the skin.
• Oily solution: Mix the oil with water or lemon juice, in a good ratio of 2:1. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, or walnut oil, and wipe the skin with this solution, which contributes to removing stains and moisturizing the skin.
• Oil massage: Choose an essential oil, put 10-15 drops of it on a clean cloth, and massage the skin in a gentle way. This contributes to adding shine and a pleasant scent as well.
• Soap and water: Mix drops of baby soap or natural detergents with a quarter liter of warm water, and add a little vinegar if there are a lot of stains, as this method gives high effectiveness in cleaning the skin and preventing the formation of new stains.
• beeswax: Beeswax is used to clean the leather of purses and bags, in addition to the leather of shoes, by heating it only without making it melt, adding almond oil to it to give it a pleasant smell, and massaging the leather with this mixture with a soft cloth.
• Banana peels: Banana peels are used to massage the surface of the leather of bags, which contributes to cleaning the surface well, while giving it a pleasant smell.
• Ice cube: Some dirt, such as gum and candy, do not require a deep cleaning process, as they may harm the leather, especially the leather of home furniture. You can rely on an ice cube to remove them, by placing a number of ice cubes in a soft cloth bag, and placing it over the dirty area for a few minutes. Then the material will be captured in an easy and smooth way.
• baking soda: To remove grease and fat stains, sprinkle the area with an amount of baking soda, rub it with a cloth, and leave it for several hours, or all night. This helps the soda absorb the oils. The next day, wipe the area with a soft, wet cloth, followed by a dry cloth. .

Removing ink from sofa leather

One of the common stains that are encountered when cleaning the leather of home furniture is ink stains, and they can be removed using the following steps, without leaving any traces, which are:

• Dip a cotton ball in medical alcohol.
• Gently massage the sofa's leather with a cotton ball until you notice that the ink has disappeared from the sofa.
• Continue repeating the process until the stain disappears completely.
• Dry the skin using a soft, dry cloth.

Removing stains from leather shoes

The method of cleaning leather shoes differs from other leather items, and this can be done through:

• Mix an equal amount of water with an equal amount of white vinegar.
• Dip a piece of cloth in the solution, then gently wipe the shoe from all sides.
• Repeat the process several times to ensure all dirt is removed, then wipe with a cloth dampened only with water.
• Polish the shoe with its own paste to add shine.
• Note: For suede shoes clean with a painters eraser.

Removing stains from car seats

Leather seats are the artistic touch that highlights the beauty of the car, especially since they are expensive. They must be kept clean, so that they last for a long time without the need to renew them. They are cleaned through the following steps:

• Vacuum the seats first, making sure to remove dirt from between the cracks.
• Dip a piece of cotton in alcohol or nail remover.
• Gently wipe the areas where the stains are.
• Then clean the area with a solution of soap and warm water, then wipe it with a clean, damp cloth, and leave the seats to dry on their own.
• Avoid using bleaches, such as chlorine, which may leave stains and worsen the problem.

Tips to keep your skin clean

There are many things that must be paid attention to when cleaning and maintaining the leather, including the following:

• Immediately clean the stains as soon as they occur, and do not delay it for a period of time so that the stain does not cause damage to the skin.
• Make sure to regularly clean the leather of furniture, bags, etc., because there is a type of dirt that is difficult to see because it blends with the color of the leather.
• Avoid water cleaning; This is because it works to crack the skin, hide the smooth shine of the skin, in addition to diluting the natural oils present in the skin and drying it out.
• Use natural oils to replace the lost softness of the skin when you notice it disappearing, such as coconut oil.
• Pay attention to the care guide included with the leather before starting to clean any type of leather for the first time, to learn about the nature of its cleaning, or you can contact the manufacturer to avoid exposing the leather to damage.
• Always make sure to wipe off excess liquid from the surface of the skin layer, because keeping it there contributes to wrinkling and fading of the skin, and to tearing over time.
• If the leather surface contains granules with heads in one direction, it should be wiped in the same direction, as this helps by allowing the used cleaner to enter between these granules to remove dirt.
• Avoid using rough cloth, and replace it with soft cloth with soft and moist fibers when cleaning, to avoid tearing the skin.
• Avoid placing the leather sofa in places exposed to the sun, to avoid losing its natural shine.
• Before adopting any cleaning method, it is best to try it in an area out of sight, to make sure it does not damage the item.