We all have that favorite and unique garment in our closet, the one with which we feel unmatched and with a unique style. Mine is a beautiful, elegant and authentic leather jacket. However, despite being chemically prepared and manufactured to be flexible, robust, and not damaged over time, it is no secret that the cleaning and maintenance of this material require special care to not lose its original appearance.
Regardless of the leather surface you want to clean; whether it is the upholstery of the sofa, the car seat, shoes, bags, or a garment, it is vital to learn how to care for it to maintain its texture and natural shine for a long time. This article will tell you how to clean leather correctly with an effective, safe and simple homemade trick. You won’t want to use any other method!
How to clean leather properly: 5 steps
Leather is a material made from the skin of a wide variety of animals, among them: sheep, goats, and cattle However, generally, the cleaning method is very similar, too bad that when I had my first leather garments, I did not have the knowledge that I have now, and I did not know an essential fact that I will reveal to you: leather is not washed, it is cleaned.
Therefore, regular maintenance is the basis for a very long service life of your leather goods. Slight neglect will cause it to dehydrate, lose its characteristic shine, get dirty faster, and worst of all: a nauseating odor will fall on it. So pay attention and follow these steps to clean stained leather easily and quickly:
- Remove the dust layer: First, vacuum or wipe with a soft cloth to remove all dust and surface dirt. This will prevent it from getting wet and make removing it more difficult. This applies to leather upholstery, car seats, footwear, or clothing.
- Create a solution with homemade leather cleaning products: Natural allies are the best option, as they are harmless and quite affordable. To prepare it, mix 100 ml of distilled water with the same amount of apple cider vinegar and shake well to integrate both liquids. Remember that pure vinegar can damage the leather.
- Clean with this cleaning solution: Dampen a microfiber cloth and rub the surface with it. Massage gently until you notice that the vinegar takes effect and the stubborn dirt comes off. In addition to cleaning and removing stubborn dirt, it will disinfect the area and neutralize unpleasant odors.
- Let it dry: Once cleaned and disinfected, pass another dry cloth over the leather and let it dry completely in the open air but the shade. Never leave it in the sun, as it will be very aggressive and damage the skin.
- Polish the leather: If you want to polish and beautify soft leather, do it with general-purpose beeswax. Just heat the wax a little without letting it become liquid and add a few drops of essential oil of the scent of your choice (my favorite is coconut). Soak a cloth in this mixture and gently massage it into the leather surface; remove the excess with another dry cloth and see how it shines!
We recommend performing this procedure in an area with sufficient ventilation and light so that the leather dries well and the humidity does not wreak havoc. Don’t forget that liquid or grease stains should be treated immediately, as the porous nature of leather tends to absorb and stain quickly.