How to Clean Leather With Household Products

How do I Store Leather Furniture in Freezing Cold Temperatures?
Written By
Carole Ellis
Carole Ellis
Published: Apr 30, 2010
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Whether you want to clean a leather sofa, leather boots or jacket, items on your bathroom countertop or in your kitchen cupboard can help you keep your leather pieces conditioned, clean and supple.

Things You Will Need

  • Hand vacuum
  • Soft, clean rags
  • Gentle liquid hand soap
  • Olive oil
  1. Vacuum the sofa. This will pick up any dust, dirt and grime that has built up on the sofa due to general wear and tear.

  2. Saturate a cleaning rag with water. Wring out the rag so that it is just barely damp, then squirt three drops of gentle liquid hand soap onto the rag. Work the rag so that the soap and water are dispersed throughout.

  3. Clean your leather item. Use firm pressure to wipe down the entire leather item with the soapy water. Refresh or replace the rag if it gets too dirty so that you are not just smearing the dirt around.

  4. Wipe down the leather with a rag that is barely damp. This will remove any soap residue that is left over after cleaning.

  5. Wipe down the leather with a clean, dry rag. Make sure that the leather is completely dry before moving on.

  6. Massage a small amount of olive oil into the leather. Pour about five drops on a clean, dry rag and work it into the rag. Use firm pressure to work the oil into the leather, replenishing the oil only when it is clear that all of the oil is out of the rag. When you are done, the leather should not be darker, shiny or sticky. If it is, use a dry cloth to buff off the excess oil.

The Drip Cap

  • While many of us are accustomed to thinking of leather as a delicate item when it comes to cleaning, in reality you can clean leather with household products without damaging the finish or shortening its lifespan.
  • Whether you want to clean a leather sofa, leather boots or jacket, items on your bathroom countertop or in your kitchen cupboard can help you keep your leather pieces conditioned, clean and supple.
  • Wipe down the leather with a rag that is barely damp.
  • Use firm pressure to work the oil into the leather, replenishing the oil only when it is clear that all of the oil is out of the rag.

Photo Credits

brown leather furniture image by Leonid Nyshko from Fotolia.com

brown leather furniture image by Leonid Nyshko from Fotolia.com

Carole Ellis

Carole Ellis began writing in 2004 for the "UGA Research Magazine." Her work has appeared in Growing Edge, Medscape and Doctors' Guide publications. In addition to medical coverage, Carole publishes a real estate newsletter called…

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