For tough dirt and grime, use a gentle moisturizing soap like Dove or baby shampoo. Lather the soap on with a cloth, being sure not to over-wet the leather, which can damage it. Do not rinse off the soap, just buff it away.
Mild soap and water.
If you can, use saddle soap to give your leather a deeper clean. But if you can't get your hands on it, dilute mild unscented hand soap or dish soap in water as a replacement. You can then dampen a washcloth with the soapy solution to gently remove stains.
It's widely agreed that plain old dish soap and water are the best cleaners for all types of leather.
Inexpensive hair conditioners contain more wax than fancy conditioners, so they're great for moisturizing and protecting leather. Use a clean rag to gently rub small amounts of the conditioner into clean, dry leather.
Is it possible to clean leather with water? Because water is chemical-free and pH-appropriate for all varieties of leather, it may be used to clean it. To remove stains, dirt, and debris from the surface of the leather, moisten a piece of microfiber with water and wipe it over the surface.
Water strips leather of its natural oils and when wet leather dries, you'll often find that it has become dry and brittle. While rain can ruin leather, the following steps can help you treat and fix water-damaged leatherto help preserve your valuable leather apparel.
Leather, like your own skin, needs to be protected and moisturized over time. You can create a simple and inexpensive leather conditioner using natural baby soap, vinegar and water. Mix two cups of warm water, a tablespoon of natural baby soap and a splash of vinegar in a bowl.
When cleaning your leather NEVER use strong detergents such as laundry detergent. Always choose a product that helps preserve the leather's natural lubricating oils rather than strip them away. Most cleaning products sold in department and shoe stores are safe.
Make Your Own Solution
The best way to clean a leather couch and the entire surface, mix 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part olive oil in a spray bottle and shake well. (You can also add a few drops of fragrant essential oils to cut the vinegar smell).
Olive oil, and every oily substance for that matter, will not “nourish” your leather, but actually accelerate its deterioration. Leather is extremely permeable, and will soak up any oils you put on it. When oil first saturates leather, it seeps to the back—to the part you can't see.
Treating leather with coconut oil does have a few upsides: it will soften the leather and provide a thin layer of waterproof protection. Because coconut oil is a natural oil (like neatsfoot oil, olive oil, and mink oil), it will darken leather boots when applied.
You should not use Windex on leather. It will ruin your leather product because it usually contains alcohol. Alcohol will dry out your leather, eventually making it unusable.
When there are no instructions, the single best and simplest way to clean leather is with a very small amount of very mild soap, such as Dove or Ivory. This process works on most stains and for general cleaning and upkeep. Always test an inconspicuous spot first and allow it to dry.
You will only want to clean leather with soap and water if it is to remove a small stain from the surface. This is very often the case, say, for a leather jacket, or a sofa. In these instances, dip a clean and damp cloth into some warm and soapy water and use it to gently wipe away the stain on the leather.
Mix together equal parts of water and rubbing alcohol. Take a microfibre cloth, dampen and wring out in the mixture. Rub the affected area gently, until you can see all of the mould or mildew has vanished. Buff with a clean dry cloth.
1 cup rubbing alcohol + 1 cup lukewarm water = 1 cup rubbing alcohol + 1 cup lukewarm water = 1 cup rubbing alcohol + 1 cup lukewarm water = 1 cup Soak a soft cloth in the liquid for a few minutes. Before applying the leather, wring it out thoroughly and allow it to air dry.
Vaseline can be used for softening leather. Before applying Vaseline to leather, start by dabbing a small cotton pad with rubbing alcohol over the leather surface. You'll want to dab each section of the surface until it starts to shine. Try to make the shine even across the entire surface.
Apply a dime-sized amount of designated leather conditioner (like mink oil) to a soft cloth (microfiber is best but not necessary). Avoid using DIY leather care products, like olive oil or coconut oil, which can potentially harm your item. Begin rubbing the clean leather in circular motions with the cloth.
Leather is relatively easy to clean. The best way to get rid of any marks is to use hot water on a soft microfibre cloth with a small amount of chemical cleaner such as liquid Dettol.
As many mothers have discovered from experience, baby wipes can work wonders with stains on your leather sofa, but please test on an inconspicuous area first allowing it to dry, before going tackling vast patches.
Mix a solution of warm water and dish soap. You can also make a cleaning solution of one part vinegar to one part water. Dip a soft cloth into the solution, wring it out and wipe the jacket. Use a second clean, damp cloth to wipe off the cleaning solution.