Stains on Leather: How to Remove Them Safely

Step by step

1
Check the finish and test
Find the maker's care directions for the piece if you can. Try any cleaner on a hidden area first.

Why: Leathers differ in finish: some have a protective coating, others are largely uncoated and absorb almost anything.
2
Blot the spill immediately
Press a dry, soft cloth onto spills and grease straight away. Blot; don't rub.

Why: Leather soaks stains into its texture quickly, and rubbing spreads them and works them deeper.
3
Remove dust and grit
Dust the area or vacuum it with a soft brush attachment before you wipe anything.

Why: Grit is abrasive. Wiping it around with a damp cloth wears the finish.
4
Wipe with a barely damp soapy cloth
Dampen a soft cloth in a mild soap solution, wring it out until it's barely damp, and wipe the stained area gently.

Why: A small amount of mild soap lifts surface soil without soaking the leather.
5
Dry it with a clean cloth, then air-dry
Wipe away the moisture with a dry soft cloth and let the leather air-dry at room temperature, away from heaters, hair dryers and direct sun.

Why: Water left on leather can harden and shrink it as it dries, and dry heat makes it crack.
6
Condition once it's fully dry
If the maker recommends it, apply a conditioner made for leather after the area is completely dry.

Why: Cleaning removes some of the oils added during tanning, and conditioning replaces them so the leather stays supple.

What leather is, and why finish matters

Leather is tanned animal hide, used for furniture, car seats, garments, shoes and bags. Oils added during tanning keep it supple; cleaning strips some of them, which is why leather care products and professional cleaners replace them afterward.

Finishes vary. Some leather carries a protective coating; uncoated (aniline) leather is left largely bare and absorbs spills quickly. That's why care directions differ by manufacturer and why testing comes first. Suede and nubuck have a napped surface and need dry methods instead; see how to clean suede shoes. Faux leather (vinyl or polyurethane) is plastic and is cleaned with mild soap and water according to its maker's directions.

How stains behave on leather

Leather is very absorbent, so stains sink into the skin's texture rather than sitting on top, especially on uncoated leather. Oils from hand cream, body oil and food, and alcohol in cosmetics and hair products, can darken or damage the finish if they aren't wiped off quickly. See grease on leather and ink on leather for those specific problems.

Water is a stain risk of its own: left to dry on leather, it can cause hardening and shrinkage. Dry heat and long sun exposure dry leather out so it cracks and shrinks, while hot, humid storage invites mildew. Grit acts like sandpaper on the finish.

What leather can take, and how to dry it

Safe: a soft dry cloth and a soft vacuum brush for dust and grit; a cloth lightly dampened with mild soap solution, followed by a dry cloth; cleaners and conditioners formulated for leather.

Avoid:

Saddle soap, car waxes, polishes, oils, general cleaning fluids, solvents, detergents and ammonia-based cleaners. Vehicle makers' care directions say these can damage leather's finish.
Chlorine bleach, acetone and other strong solvents. They strip finish and color.
Hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and baking soda. None is a leather cleaner, and peroxide can lighten leather.
Soaking, which hardens and shrinks it.
Plastic bags and hot, humid storage, which trap moisture; and vinyl items left lying on leather, which can affect its color over time.

Drying: blot water off at once with a dry cloth, then let the leather air-dry at room temperature, away from heaters, hair dryers and direct sun. Condition afterward if the maker recommends it.

By situation

A leather couch or chair

Blot spills immediately, vacuum grit, and wipe with a barely damp cloth and mild soap, then dry. See how to clean a leather couch for routine care.

Leather car seats

Vehicle makers allow only a mild soap solution or products made for leather on finished interior leather, and prohibit bleach and solvents. One car maker suggests cleaning and conditioning about twice a year. A sunshade limits drying and cracking.

A leather jacket or other garment

Blot the spill, but don't attempt spot removal at home. Take it to a professional leather cleaner and say what the stain is.

Leather that got wet

Remove the moisture promptly with a dry cloth and let it air-dry at room temperature. Never speed it up with a hair dryer or heater.

Mold on the surface

Georgia's extension advises brushing it off, wiping with water and mild detergent, then with a 50/50 mix of water and isopropyl alcohol, drying, and conditioning. Mold that has gone beyond the surface needs a professional.

Ink, dye transfer or grease on uncoated leather

These are professional jobs. Home solvents can strip the finish and color, and even a professional can't always restore it.

What not to do

Don't soak leather or leave water on it. Remaining moisture can harden and shrink it as it dries.
Don't dry it with a hair dryer, heater or direct sun. Dry heat dries leather out and causes cracking and shrinking.
Don't use bleach, acetone, solvents or ammonia-based cleaners. Strong chemicals strip the finish and color.
Don't leave cosmetics, hand cream or grease sitting on leather. They can cause premature wear, mold or stains if they aren't wiped off quickly.
Don't store leather in plastic bags or a hot, humid place. Leather needs ventilation, and humid storage encourages mildew.

Other methods that work

A cleaner made for leather

For soil that mild soap doesn't shift, a leather cleaner formulated for your type of leather is the next step, followed by its conditioner.

Caution: Test it on a hidden area, and follow the label.

Professional leather cleaning

The right choice for garments, ink, dye transfer, large water marks, cracking and color loss.

Caution: Even professional cleaning can change color or texture, cause shrinkage or make wrinkles more visible.

Stain still there?

A water mark appeared after wiping

Blot it dry and let the leather air-dry at room temperature, away from heat. Large water marks are a job for a leather professional.

The leather feels stiff or dry after cleaning

Cleaning removed some of its oils. Once it's fully dry, apply a conditioner made for leather if the maker recommends one.

An oily spot keeps darkening

Oil has soaked into the leather. Blot, don't add solvents, and take it to a leather professional, especially if the leather is uncoated.

Questions

How do you remove a stain from leather?

Blot it right away with a dry soft cloth, then wipe with a cloth barely dampened in mild soap solution, dry it with a clean cloth, and let it air-dry away from heat. Condition once it's dry.

Can you use vinegar or baking soda on leather?

They aren't leather cleaners. Leather and car makers recommend only a mild soap solution or products designed for leather.

Does water stain leather?

It can. Water left on leather can harden and shrink it as it dries. Blot it off promptly and let the leather air-dry at room temperature.

Can you get stains out of a leather jacket at home?

It's better not to try. Blot the spill and take the jacket to a professional leather cleaner.

Is faux leather cleaned the same way?

Faux leather is vinyl or polyurethane, a plastic. Clean it with mild soap and water according to its maker's directions.