Home Remedies for Soft Leather Cleaner

Soft leather can be one of the toughest materials to clean.leather image by Alex White from Fotolia.com

It can be discouraging to find a huge pen mark, stain or just wear-and-tear on your new soft leather sofa, jacket or pillow. While many commercial products can clean and remove the stain, a number of home remedies work just as well. These home remedies are products you usually already have available at home and are a lot less expensive. Mix them up and use them to clean and shine your soft leather products.

Mild Detergent

Dilute a mild detergent such as Dove, Ivory or Dial to clean soft leather. Dip a soft cloth in a mix of approximately 1 tsp. of mild detergent per half gallon of lukewarm water. Use the rag in a circular motion to clean dirty or stained leather. Wipe with another soft, dry cloth to make sure it is completely dry. Apply a leather conditioner about every six months to restore oil levels in the leather.

Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 cup of lukewarm water and 1 tbsp. of any liquid soap. Shake well in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on soft leather furniture. Use a soft washcloth to wipe the leather. Spot check the leather in a place that is not noticeable before applying a cleaner to the leather for the first time.

For tough stains mix 1 part lemon juice to 1 part cream of tartar. Create a paste and apply in a circular motion to the stain. Use a clean, dry cloth to buff off. If the stain does not come out, repeat the process. Clean and recondition the leather after the stain is gone.

After cleaning your leather, apply a small amount of leather polish. This will keep the leather shiny and restore any oils that were stripped away during cleaning. Mix 1/2 cup of wheat germ oil and 1/4 cup of castor oil, and shake well. Use a soft cloth to apply the polish to the leather that was cleaned or to old leather that needs its shine restored.

For soft leather jackets and other clothing, mix 1/3 cup of castile soap, 1/2 gallon of water, 8 to 12 drops of grapefruit seed extract, 3 1/3 cups of olive oil and 40 to 60 drops of essential oil in your favorite scent in a gallon jug. Shake well and pour some of the mix in a spray bottle. Spray on leather clothing and clean with a soft cloth. Use another dry, soft cloth to buff and shine dry.