How to Clean a Spill on a Leather Coat

Cleaning a spill off a leather coat may seem difficult because unlike most other spills, you can't clean it with soap and water, nor can you toss the jacket into a washer and dryer. Cleaning a spill from a leather jacket, however, need not require the help of a leather specialist, nor paying a high fee. Even though you can handle most spills at home, ink spills need slightly different treatment.

Things You'll Need

• 1 dry cloth
• 2 damp cloths
• Saddle soap
• Dry towel
• Leather conditioner
• Nail polish remover (acetone free)
• Cotton swab

Instructions

1. For most spills, blot at the stain with a dry cloth. Gently allow the cloth to soak up any excess liquid.

2. Take one damp cloth and use it as a grip around the saddle soap. Knead the saddle soap several times against the leather and the site of the spill until a thick soapy residue forms.

3. Wipe away the lather with the other damp cloth. Rub the dry towel against the leather, particularly near the site of the stain to polish it. Dab leather conditioner on it to finish.

4. Dab enough nail polish remover onto the cotton swab so that it is well saturated. Apply the saturated cotton ball to the stain on the leather jacket only if it is an ink stain. Rub the ink gently but firmly with the cotton ball. It should vanish within a few moments.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes beer, chocolate, paint or blood will have to be treated by a professional.

References

• Repair Home: Cleaning leather
• Only Leather Jackets: Leather Care