Essential Cleaning Equipment and Supplies

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining your leather products, there are certain tools and cleaning products that are nearly irreplaceable. Below, we’ll list some of the tools and leather cleaning products that we’ve found to be the most valuable.

Tools

• Spoon - A spoon can be a useful tool in the leather cleaning process. It’s useful for scraping off dried or hardened substances, like glue and adhesives. However, because it is rounded, it prevents damage to the leather since it won’t hook or tear the leather.
• Soft-Bristled Brush - A soft-bristled brush is a wonderful way to remove dirt, dust, or debris from a leather surface. Unlike a hard-bristled brush, it won’t tear or abrade the leather, but it is better suited to cleaning small areas than a larger tool.
• Bucket - A bucket can be an essential part of the process. Not only can it hold water for washing and rinsing the leather, but it also provides a convenient place to mix any cleaning solutions you may require.
• Soft Cloth or Sponge - A soft cloth is useful for applying cleaning solutions to the leather, rinsing off parts of the leather, not just wiping away debris. It can also help you to wipe away excess moisture and may be used to polish the leather. A soft sponge is also good, since neither of these things will scratch the leather.
• Hairdryer - If you want to ensure that your leather doesn’t get any water damage after you’ve cleaned and nourished it, a hairdryer is invaluable. It will help you to get even the final remnants of moisture out of the leather.
• Stiff Brush - A stiff brush with soft bristles is useful for removing set stains and stubborn dirt from your leather products. You don’t want something with metal bristles, but you do need a slightly stiffer bristle than those on the soft-bristled brush. It provides thorough cleaning without causing damage to the leather.
• Paper Towels - Paper towels are an ideal tool for basic drying of water and cleaning solutions. They’re disposable, which means you can simply grab a new one if you need it, rather than trying to get all the moisture out of a cloth or towel.
• Latex Gloves - Latex gloves are a useful part of your leather cleaning arsenal, and will protect your hands from harsh cleaning solutions and other things that may irritate or stain your skin.
• Face Mask - Wearing a face mask while you work with cleaning solutions or you’re cleaning leather will protect you from inhaling harmful fumes or dust particles. This can help reduce the risk of respiratory problems later on.
• Toothbrush - A toothbrush is useful for removing dirt from creases and crevices, like any embossed design in the leather, or the seams where the product has been sewn together. It’s far more precise than something with a larger surface area would be.
• Vacuum Cleaner - A vacuum cleaner is an excellent tool that you can use for removing loose dirt and debris from a leather surface. It’s especially useful in the case of larger items like leather furniture or large coats and jackets. It’s a more efficient way to clean larger areas, and can help to remove embedded dirt.

Cleaning Substances

While we’re talking about leather cleaning tips, let’s take a look at some of the leather cleaning products you might find useful.

• Glue Remover - An excellent way to remove stubborn glue or adhesive stains that don’t want to come out with simple cleaning methods.
• Leather Degreaser - Specifically formulated to help remove oil and grease stains from leather without damaging it.
• Ice Cubes - Can help to harden adhesive stains, making it easier to remove them by scraping them off with a spoon.
• Salt - In water-based stains, salt can be useful for absorbing moisture and helping to remove certain types of stains. It’s a simple product that most people already have, and it won’t damage the leather.
• Soda Water - A great way to remove stains while deodorizing the leather, especially if the stains are from something acidic like beer or wine.
• Petroleum Jelly - A natural, highly effective leather conditioner that protects it from cracking and drying out.
• Talcum Powder - Versatile, inexpensive, and excellent for absorbing oil and grease, which makes the stains easier to clean.
• Washing-up Liquid - A mild dish detergent like castile soap is a gentle option for removing most minor stains and debris without risking damage to the leather.
• White Spirit - An excellent option for removing stubborn stains like grease and oil. White spirit is a powerful solvent and penetrates stains readily.
• White Vinegar - Another excellent solvent for deodorizing, removing stains, and restoring color.
• Bicarbonate of Soda - Combines well with certain other chemicals to absorb odors and remove stains, while remaining affordable and readily available.
• Milk - Excellent way to condition leather, and sometimes useful for removing stains. It’s natural and gentle, meaning it doesn’t hurt the leather.
• Rubbing Alcohol - Useful for disinfecting leather and removing ink stains or other stubborn stains without damaging the leather.
• Soap Flakes - Soap flakes are a wonderfully mild cleaning agent that’s gentle on the leather and works well for removing most common stains.
• Shaving Cream - Surprising as it may be, shaving cream is a viable way of removing certain ink stains. It’s gentle and effective, but won’t damage the leather.
• Soft Erasers - These can be a perfect way to remove light stains and things like pencil marks from leather. They’re an ideal option, because they’re gentle and don’t cause abrasions.
• Sticky Tape or a Lint Roller - A quick and easy way to quickly remove lightweight debris like dust and lint.
• Wax Crayons - May be used as a temporary fix to help cover up minor cosmetic damage.

Spot Testing

Performing spot testing is a crucial step when preparing to remove stains from your leather products. It will help to ensure that the cleaning solution you use won’t damage the leather.

Here's How to Perform a Spot Test

1. Select a testing area: Find a small piece of your leather product that's not readily visible.
2. Apply the cleaning solution: Apply a small amount of the cleaning solution you want to use to your chosen testing area.
3. Work the solution in gently: Gently rub the solution in, or blot it, depending on the instructions for the solution in question.
4. Inspect the leather for damage: Carefully inspect the leather for any signs of damage or discoloration.
5. Wait for the leather to dry: After the area has dried completely, inspect it again for any signs of damage.

If your test doesn’t show any signs of adverse effects, feel free to use it on the stain you’re trying to remove. Alternatively, look for a less harmful cleaning product.

Stain Removal Techniques

Now that we’ve shared our general leather cleaning tips, let’s take a look at leather stain treatment. Below, we’ll talk about how to get rid of some of the most common types of stains:

General Stains

With most lightweight stains, you can remove them relatively easily. Simply use a damp cloth with mild soap, a 1:1 solution of vinegar in water, or bicarbonate of soda to clean the stain.

After that, wipe the leather clean with a fresh damp cloth or sponge. Then dry it with a paper towel. You can enhance the process using a hairdryer, or allow the leather to air dry.

Water Stains

To remove water stains from leather, you first have to ensure that the leather is completely dry. Blot away excess moisture with a clean, absorbent cloth, before allowing it to air dry naturally and completely away from direct heat.

If the water has stained the leather, you can try the following approaches:

1. Mix equal parts vinegar and water and apply it to the stain using a soft cloth. Allow it to air dry.
2. Use a professional leather cleaning product that lists water marks as part of its stain-removing capabilities. Follow the instructions on the label.

Tough Stains

Tough stains like ink stains can be some of the more challenging stains to remove.

The generally accepted method is to apply either rubbing alcohol or a mild soap solution. Dab it on by using a cotton swab or ball that’s been dipped in the cleaning solution.

If necessary, you can use a toothbrush to gently rub at the stain and see if you can get more of it out.

In severe cases, you may need to rinse the area with clean water before drying it thoroughly. In most cases, however, you should be able to just wipe the stain away with a damp cloth. Ensure that you dry the leather with a paper towel after cleaning.

Some of the other cleaning solutions people use on this kind of stain include:

• Shaving cream (spot test it first, because it can remove the dye from the leather itself as well.
• Rubbing alcohol
• Baking soda and water
• Mild soap
• Nail polish remover (you should spot test this one too).
• White vinegar

No matter which of these solutions you apply, be sure to wipe it off with a damp cloth after cleaning.

Oil and Grease Stains

Oil and grease stains are a pain to remove from most fabrics and absorptive surfaces. Here’s how to get them out of leather:

• Cover the stain with cornstarch, talcum powder, or baking soda: It’s important to fully cover the stain with a dense layer of your chosen powder.
• Let the powder sit: Leave the stain covered for several hours so the powder can absorb as much of the stain as possible.
• Brush off the powder: Use a soft-bristled brush to sweep away all the powder.
• Wipe with a clean cloth: Wipe the leather fully clean with a dry cloth.

If at this point you find that the stain is still present, you may need to turn to a commercial leather cleaner. Alternatively, you can try a secondary solution like rubbing alcohol, a white vinegar solution, or a baking soda solution.

Most of the stains you’re likely to encounter will come off easily using one of the techniques listed above. You’ll find additional options in the cleaning solutions list at the top of the article. Remember to always do a spot check before applying any kind of cleaning solution to your leather items.

General Leather Cleaning Care Routine

Knowing how to avoid stains is just as vital as knowing how to remove stains from leather. That’s why we’ve created this leather care guide to help you keep your leather clean.

If you want to keep your leather clean and healthy, and give it a prolonged lifespan, then a consistent cleaning routine is essential.

Here’s our take on a general cleaning procedure for leather products:

1. Dust regularly: It’s important to dust your leather products regularly, using a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush. Doing so will help to prevent them from forming a grime buildup.
2. Use a damp cloth to wipe the products down: You also need to regularly wipe your leather products with a soft damp (not wet) cloth. This will also help prevent dirt buildup, but without causing moisture damage.
3. Condition the leather regularly: Nourish the leather regularly through the application of a leather conditioner to prevent it from drying out and cracking. Most leather conditioners’ labels will tell you how regularly to apply the product.
4. Clean up spills immediately: Don’t allow spills to seep into the leather. If you spill anything on the leather, remove as much of the spill as possible using paper towels and a damp cloth. The sooner you deal with any resulting staining, the easier it will be to remove.
5. Don’t expose leather to direct sunlight and heat: Prolonged exposure to either of these things can cause fading, cracking, and even cause the leather to become brittle. Store your leather products in a cool, dry place.
6. Protect leather from moisture: Leather and moisture don’t get along. Protect your leather products from excessive moisture, and if they do get wet, allow the leather to dry naturally away from direct heat.

Conclusion

There are many different types of stains that may affect your leather products. However, with some basic skills and a few readily available products, you can easily remove stains from leather.

We hope this article has given you all the basic tools and information you needed to tackle those leather stains with confidence, and keep your leather clean in general.