The pH level of baking soda ranges from 8 to 9, which means it's a mild alkali. This is what makes it perfect and gentle enough to use on leather, removing any build-up of oil, dirt and grease without causing damage. It is also abrasive enough that it can remove any tough stains.
Be sure to avoid these products when cleaning your leather: Baking soda, white vinegar, cream of tartar, and lemon juice. Some sources online cite these common household products as a DIY solution for cleaning leather. This is actually false as they can be extremely harsh on the material and make stains worse.
Baking soda is especially helpful for removing smells from many types of leather surfaces, including suede. Before bed, sprinkle a generous amount of it over the surface, and use a dry brush to gently rub it in. In the morning, vacuum the couch with an upholstery attachment to remove all signs of the baking soda.
Baking Soda
It is effective to remove oil marks and stains on leather. Sprinkle in the area and rub it with a damp clean cloth. Leave it for a few hours or overnight. Baking soda will absorb the oil.
Another way to clean a leather bag properly is by making use of baking soda or cornstarch. This is an effective for cleaning oil or grease stains. All you need to do is to sprinkle a little bit of baking soda on the grease spot and rub it in gently using a damp cloth.
General Cleaner for All Leather
Mix a 50/50 vinegar and water solution in a bowl (Image 1) and use a microfiber cloth to apply it to your furniture (Image 2). Rub the leather in a circular motion to lift the dirt out of the natural fibers. Return your cloth to the bowl often, wringing it out and rewetting it.
If the stain persists, try blotting with a towel dipped in a mixture of water and a mild dish soap (like Palmolive or Dawn). Be sure to blot gently; scrubbing rigorously can cause permanent damage to the leather. When you're done, thoroughly dry the spot with a fresh cloth.
Cleaning leather is a gentle art that requires the right products. You can seriously damage your leather furniture by using the wrong stuff to clean it. It's widely agreed that plain old dish soap and water are the best cleaners for all types of leather.
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).
Sprinkle the entire couch with baking soda, and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. (You can leave it there for up to an hour.) Using a brush attachment, vacuum the couch to remove the baking soda. Next, make this simple cleaner to tackle any remaining stains.
The jury is out whether soapy water or vinegary water solution is best, but both work wonders. For a quick leather cleaning, you can gently wipe down the surface using a microfiber cloth and equal parts vinegar and water to remove light dirt. For a deeper cleaning, it's helpful to incorporate mild soap.
Please note that we do not recommend using products like Jiff or gumption as these are abrasive chemicals that remove the top layer of vinyl & leather which causes your product to break down quickly.
Mild dish soap, on the other hand, possesses a basic pH level between 7-8, and other general cleaners, such as Borax, usually find their way to around a basic 10. The contrast between leather pH levels and the cleaners' during contact damages leather fibers and can weaken its integrity over time.
Toothpaste Tip #2: Polish & Shine Leather Shoes
All you need is an old toothbrush, non-gel toothpaste, and a damp cloth. Use the toothbrush and paste to scrub the leather part of your shoes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
While you can give many metal surfaces a scrub with baking soda, use caution if you're cleaning aluminum cookware. Also, never use it for cleaning silver and gold if it's antique, gold-plated serving pieces and marble surfaces. Also avoid cleaning marble countertops and ceramic hobs.
Baking soda is an extremely effective natural odor remover, and you can use it to get lingering bad dog smell out of your sofa. Simply sprinkle baking soda over the fabric and let it sit overnight. In the morning, vacuum your couch thoroughly. The odors should be significantly lessened, if not gone completely.
Sprinkle with Baking Soda
Once your couch is completely dry, sprinkle baking soda on the area. Baking soda absorbs odors, so you'll want to cover the area with a thin layer of it to encourage maximum absorption. Allow the baking soda to work its magic for at least an hour before you vacuum it up.
Regular maintenance cleaning:
Olive oil + white vinegar: shake together in a spray bottle, lightly mist leather bag, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
Apply a paste of equal parts cream of tartar and lemon juice. Let the stain remover work for 10 minutes. Then, rub in a fresh layer of paste for good measure. Wipe the area with a damp sponge.
To remove smells from your leather sofa, or any other leather product, mix a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, then use a clean cloth (microfibre cloths are great for this) to wipe the leather.
Mix up a 1:10 ratio of Castile Soap to warm water in a bowl. Dip an old (but clean) towel into the mixture and clean your lounge using a circular motion. Make sure you reach all areas of the lounge. This process will require a bit of elbow great and patience.
If your leather couch has been affected by mildew, a simple vinegar solution can help remove the stains. Use one part apple cider vinegar and four parts water on brown leather and one part white vinegar and four parts water can be used on lighter leather.
Choosing a Liquid Cleaning Solution
Apple cider vinegar can be a substitute as well, just as long as you aren't interested in sanitizing the leather. Wipe the solution over your leather until it is damp. Make sure to mix the vinegar with water, as straight vinegar can be too acidic for leather.