Leather Cleaning & Restoration

Take care when cleaning leather furniture.

If well cared for, conditioned and cleaned, your leather furniture or clothing can last a lifetime. If you're new to leather cleaning, follow basic tips and avoid using any type of harsh cleaner. If you have trouble cleaning old leather, call a professional.

Furniture Cleaning

Wipe most stains off leather furniture with a damp rag or rough soap on dirty areas, then wipe the soap up with a damp rag. Remove ink stains by spraying the affected area with hair spray.

Clothing Care

Clean leather clothing by immersing it in soapy water, then let the clothing dry at room temperature. Hang leather clothing when not wearing it to keep its shape intact.

Tools

Aside from basic cleaning, you will want to use a leather conditioner on clothing and furniture. This helps keep the leather water repellent and maintains the soft texture.

Tip

When using a new cleaning product on your leather item, test it on a small corner first. Some products may stain or discolor your leather item.

Restoration

A professional can restore your leather if it's been scratched, punctured, burned, damaged by pet urine or cigarette smoke. To learn leather restoration techniques yourself, take a furniture finishing course at a local store, community college or adult education program.

References

• "Clothing Dictionary: How to Care for Your Leather Clothing and Leather Lingerie"
• "Professor's House: How to Clean a Leather Sofa"

Resources

• Technique Leather Repair