Common Household Cleansers for Leather Upholstery
You don't have to buy fancy, expensive and smelly leather cleansers and conditioners to keep your leather upholstery looking top-notch — just try one of these recipes that can be mixed up at home using common household ingredients. Most leather upholstery is made with a finished leather that has been dyed and sealed, so it has a bit of a sheen. But even if it has a sealer, an active family and pets can wreak havoc on your beautiful leather furniture. From ballpoint pen marks to protein-based stains like blood and food, there are substances that can work their way into the most beautiful hide, leaving it looking messed up, dried out and ratty. These natural cleansers, when used correctly, can bring back the natural beauty of leather.
Caution: Always be sure to do a sample test on an inconspicuous area of the leather. And do not use these cleansers on unfinished leather or suede.
Basic cleanser and conditioner:
¼ cup olive oil½ cup white vinegar10 drops lemon or eucalyptus essential oil (optional)
The leather sofa at my brother's house gets lots of wear and tear. This basic all-over cleanser left it polished and rich looking again.
Mix the olive oil and white vinegar in a clean jar and shake, add scented oil for a fresh smell if you like. Dampen a clean cloth in the mixture and clean the entire piece of furniture. Use another clean cloth to dry off the remaining oil and cleanser. Don't saturate the leather; you're just cleaning the surface and reconditioning the leather.
Protein-based spot or stain:
¼ cup lemon juice¼ cup cream of tartar A paste of equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar will remove protein stains like blood, mud, food and more. Make a paste, rub it on the stain, let it sit 10 minutes, then wash it off with dampened cloth (I use Castile soap and water for this step) and dry the piece with a clean cloth. Be sure to test a spot to make sure the lemon will not bleach the leather.
Ballpoint pen:
Rubbing alcohol, hairspray, nonacetone nail polish remover or cuticle remover
For ink and pen stains on leather furniture, auto upholstery or handbags, dab on rubbing alcohol or any of the other substances listed. Let it soak in for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Rinse with water and gentle soap, then dry. For stubborn ink stains, repeat until the ink has dissolved.
Mold and mildew:
½ cup rubbing alcohol½ cup waterFor mold and mildew, mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a small bowl, dampen a clean cloth and gently the area. Wipe off with another clean cloth dampened with water, then dry.
I used this solution when I noticed some suspicious-looking black grime inside my car.
The black mess came off with a bit of robust rubbing. It looks better, and I feel better knowing there's no lurking gunk in a hard-to-see area.
Once I got started, I decided to give my leather car upholstery a good once-over with the basic recipe of olive oil, vinegar and lemon oil. Now it looks good and smells fresh.
Tell us: What are your tricks for keeping your home's leather products looking shiny and new?
Get more housekeeping tips
