How to Clean a Leather Sofa

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References Approved

Leather furniture requires specific methods of care. There are several commercial and homemade products that can be used to clean your leather sofa. With regular maintenance and the right products, you can keep a leather sofa clean and in good condition for many years.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Removing Debris

1
Remove large debris with a vacuum. Using the vacuum’s hand tool, remove any debris from the sofa. Focus around the creases and folds of the couch.
2
Use the vacuum’s brush attachment. Attach the brush tool to the vacuum’s hand tool and run the brush over the leather of the couch. The brush bristles are soft and less likely to scratch the surface of the sofa.^{[1]
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3
Dust the sofa. Using a feather or microfiber duster, lightly dust the entire surface of the sofa. Be careful to remove all of the debris from the sofa before further cleaning as the debris can scratch the leather.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Doing Routine Cleaning

1
Create a homemade solution. Combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a small bucket or bowl. It is best to use room temperature, distilled water. Tap water can contain other chemicals which could be harmful to the leather.^{[3]
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- Commercial leather cleaner can also be used to cleanse the sofa. Read the label on the product to ensure proper use.
2
Dip a rag in the solution. Thoroughly wring out the rag. Be careful to ensure that the rag is only damp and not drenched. Excess liquid can damage the couch’s leather.
3
Scrub the sofa lightly. Start at the top of the sofa and work your way down. Gently scrub the leather of the sofa. Work in small sections. Rinse the rag in the solution and wring it out after a few strokes.^{[4]
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4
Wipe the sofa dry. Using a clean rag, wipe each small section of leather dry before moving on to the next section.^{[5]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Treating Stains

1
Remove grease stains. Grease stains can be left on a leather sofa from hair, beauty products, or food. It is best to try to remove these stains as soon as you notice them. Wipe the surface of the leather with a leather cleaning solution and then dry the leather thoroughly. If the stain remains, try sprinkling baking soda or cornstarch on the stain. Let the powder sit there for several hours and then brush away the residue.^{[6]
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2
Get rid of ink stains. Carefully blot the ink stain with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use care and do not soak the leather. Once the stain is lifted, clean the surface of the leather with a damp rag and dry the area thoroughly with a clean rag.^{[7]
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3
Remove liquid stains. Sometimes drinks like coffee, tea, or red wine may be spilled on your leather sofa. It is best to clean this liquid immediately and do not let it dry on the leather’s surface. Once the liquid is removed, gently cleanse the leather with a leather cleaning solution. Remember to completely dry the leather’s surface with a dry rag when you are finished cleaning.^{[8]
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4
Treat dark stains on light-colored leather. Mix equal parts lemon and cream of tartar as a stain treatment. Apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Use a damp cloth to remove the mixture, then dry it with a clean cloth.^{[9]
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- You can repeat the treatment again as needed.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Conditioning the Sofa

1
Create a homemade solution. Add 10 to 15 drops of lemon or tea tree oil to two cups of white vinegar in a bowl. Lightly stir the solution to combine the oil and vinegar.^{[10]
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- Commercial leather conditioner can be used in place of a homemade solution. Read the label on the product to ensure proper use.
- Avoid using olive oil as it can damage the leather over time.
2
Apply the solution to the entire couch. Dip a corner of a clean rag into the conditioning solution. Gently rub the solution into the leather using a circular motion. Allow the solution to dry onto the sofa overnight.
- Be careful not to drench the rag in the solution or leave the sofa too wet. The liquid could damage the leather sofa.
3
Buff the sofa with a clean cloth. The next day, gently buff the leather to restore the shine. Begin at the top of the sofa and work your way down, buffing the leather in a small, circular motion.
- Repeat the conditioning every six to twelve months to keep the leather soft and shiny.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do I get jeans dye off my leather sofa?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Start by following the step in this article for removing ink stains. Dampen a cotton ball with alcohol, then dab the stain with it. Wipe the area with a damp rag, then dry it with a clean cloth. If the stain is still there, try a commercial leather cleaner.
Question

Can I use kitchen liquid wash for sofa cleaning?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Don't use kitchen liquid wash on your leather sofa because it may damage the leather. Instead, use a vinegar and water mixture or a commercial leather treatment to clean your sofa.
Question

How do I remove stains on a leather couch from skin moisturizer?

Community Answer

The oils in moisturizer need to be removed. Try Oil Extractor from advleather.com. It removes oil like nothing else and it won't damage the leather.

Warnings

Most soaps can damage the surface of the leather.

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Read the label of any commercial leather products before applying the solution to the leather.

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Read the sofa’s cleaning instructions before applying any cleaning or conditioning solution to the leather.

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Don't use stain removal products that aren't labeled for use on leather. In most cases, these products will damage your leather.^{[11]
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