How to Clean Leather Furniture Stains

Remove stains from leather furniture at first sight for best results.

Leather furniture is durable and easy to clean. If you spill something on the furniture, you can usually just wipe it up with a damp cloth and it's gone. Sometimes, however, certain substances can stain leather furniture. Whether your leather is stained with dirt, oil, ink or urine, you can remove it effectively. Use the right stain removal products and cleaning methods so you don't damage the leather in the process.

Things You'll Need

• Soft washcloths
• Mild moisturizing hand soap
• Cornstarch
• Vacuum cleaner with soft brush attachment
• Cotton swabs
• Rubbing alcohol
• Non-acetone nail polish remover
• Leather cleaner
• Bucket
• Mild dish soap

Instructions

General Dirt and Stains

1. Dampen a washcloth with warm water. Lather up the washcloth with mild moisturizing hand soap.

2. Wipe down the dirty spots on the leather furniture. Rub in a circular motion and be gentle; rubbing too hard can cause damage to the leather.

3. Go over the area with a dry cloth to remove any soap and excess moisture.

Grease, Oil and Butter Stains

1. Sprinkle a layer of cornstarch onto the stain. Use your fingers to briskly rub the powder into the spot until you feel some friction.

2. Let the cornstarch sit on the furniture for a minute or two. Vacuum up the powder with a soft-brush vacuum cleaner attachment.

3. Repeat this process, if necessary, until the oil stain is gone. Wipe down the leather with a damp cloth once all of the oil, butter or grease is gone to remove any powder residue.

Ink Stains

1. Moisten a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol. Wipe it gently over the ink spot until it disappears. Switch to a clean cotton swab and use more alcohol as one swab becomes filled with ink.

2. Dry the spot with low heat from a blow dryer. Inspect the area for any traces of the ink stain.

3. Moisten a cotton swab with non-acetone nail polish remover if the ink is still there. Wipe it over the ink stain until it is gone.

4. Clean the leather furniture with a leather cleaner to remove any traces of the solvents used.

Urine Stains

1. Fill a bucket with warm water. Add a few drops of mild dish soap to the water. Mix it up real good with your hands.

2. Dip a soft cloth into the soapy water and wring it out well. Wipe down the stained area with the rag and soapy water. If your furniture has cushions that are zipped or fastened and you can remove the stuffing, do so before cleaning. Absorb as much of the urine as you can from the stuffing.

3. Buff the leather with soft cloth to remove any soap residue and moisture. Clean the area with a leather cleaner.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply a high-quality leather conditioner to the furniture after cleaning. This will restore any moisture lost during the stain-removal process. Follow the instructions on the leather conditioner as this may vary among brands.

• Always test the product you are using on an inconspicuous area of the leather prior to applying it to a more noticeable area.

References

• The Leather Solution: Leather Stain Removal Tips
• HomeFurnish.com: How to Remove Stains From a Leather Sofa