How to clean leather couch at home

Leather sofas are a tried and true furniture classic. They can be found in a variety of colors and styles that range from midcentury modern to the classic British Chesterfield. And bonus: natural leather sofas are durable and easy to both clean and maintain.

Table of Contents Show

Types of Leather on Sofas
How Often to Clean a Leather Sofa
How to Clean a Leather Sofa
Remove Dust and Debris
Wipe Away Grime
Buff to a Shine
Tackle Tough Stains
Condition Dry Leather
Tips to Keep a Leather Sofa Clean Longer
What is the best homemade leather cleaner?
Can I use soapy water to clean leather sofa?
How can I make my leather couch look new again?

Pet hair and most spills on leather furniture can be easily wiped away, as leather doesn't absorb liquids and odors as quickly as fabric upholstery. A quick cleaning for your leather couch is as simple as mixing up equal parts vinegar and water and wiping the material down with a soft cloth. Combined with deeper cleanings using the right soap and leather conditioner, a well-constructed leather sofa can last for decades.

Types of Leather on Sofas

The quality of the leather on sofas can vary depending on the type of hide used and how it is processed and finished.

Aniline: Aniline leather is full-grained hide that has been treated with the chemical aniline. It is prized for the ability to see the pores and imperfections on the hide. Aniline leather is exceptionally soft, but it does not have a protective coating preventing the finish from being stained.
Semi-aniline: Processed with a thicker protective coating than aniline, semi-aniline is more resistant to stains, more durable, and less expensive than aniline.
Pigmented or Protected: The natural leather is coated with a polymer that contains dye pigments to create the most durable, scuff-resistant, and least susceptible to stains type of leather for furniture.
Suede: Natural suede leather is created from the soft underside of a split-grain animal hide. It has a nappy finish that is easily stained. There are specific care and cleaning steps for suede furniture that must be followed.

Other than suede, the cleaning methods for all types of leather sofas are the same. But, it's still a good idea to check the sofa manufacturer's specific cleaning instructions and to test any cleaning products on an inconspicuous spot to be sure the leather dye is stable.

How Often to Clean a Leather Sofa

To keep a leather sofa looking its best, it should be dusted weekly and given a more thorough cleaning monthly. Of course, spills and stains from mud, ink, or grease should be cleaned up and treated immediately.

Materials

Castile, saddle, or mild soap
Corn starch or talcum powder
Isopropyl alcohol
Leather conditioner

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

How to Clean a Leather Sofa

Remove Dust and Debris
Weekly dusting will help keep your leather sofa clean and bright. Use a vacuum with an upholstery brush to capture the unwanted dust, pet hair, and dirt.

The crevice tool on most vacuums is helpful to reach areas between and under cushions. You can also use a disposable electrostatic duster or a microfiber cloth.

The Spruce / Olivia Inman
Wipe Away Grime
A gentle touch and mild cleaning products will remove all but the toughest stains from leather. While there are plenty of good commercial leather cleaners on the market like Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner or Wipes all you need is a mild soap like Castile, saddle soap, or a bar of Ivory, some warm water, and a microfiber cloth.
Create a cleaning solution in a small bowl or bucket with warm water and a few drops of liquid soap. If you are using a bar of soap, simply dampen the microfiber cloth and rub it over the bar of soap.
Work in small areas, starting at the top of the sofa, and wipe down each piece of the surface. Your cloth should be thoroughly wet, but not dripping. For areas of heavier soil like sofa arms, use gentle circular motions to trap all of the soil. Rinse and wring the cloth frequently as you work.

The Spruce / Olivia Inman
Warning
Always test any commercial or homemade leather cleaning product on a hidden area before cleaning the sofa to make sure that there is no color change to the leather.
Buff to a Shine
Once you have wiped away the soil, you do not need to rinse the leather. Too much water can damage and discolor the leather. Instead, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to buff the surface.

The Spruce / Olivia Inman
Tackle Tough Stains

Stains on leather do happen, but they are no match for prompt and careful attention and a few cleaning solutions.
- Grease stains: If treating a grease stain on your leather couch, remove any solid debris and blot the area with a paper towel to absorb as much of the oil and grease as possible. Sprinkle the area with a layer of cornstarch or talcum powder. Allow the cornstarch to remain in place for at least four hours or overnight to absorb the oil from the leather. Vacuum away the cornstarch and repeat as needed until the stain is gone.
- Ink: Blot fresh ink stains with a paper towel, being careful not to further smear the ink. Rub a damp microfiber cloth over a bar of mild soap and working in small circles, rub the area of the leather with the ink stain. Move to a clean area of the cloth as the ink is transferred. Only use isopropyl alcohol to remove an ink stain as the last resort as it can discolor the leather.
The Spruce / Olivia Inman
Condition Dry Leather
If your leather sofa has lost its luster and feels stiff and dry, use a good commercial leather conditioner like Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner to restore the leather's suppleness. Follow the product directions and buff the leather with a microfiber cloth to restore the finish.

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

Tips to Keep a Leather Sofa Clean Longer

Wipe up any spills as soon as they happen.
Vacuum off the sofa weekly.
Keep your leather sofa out of direct sunlight to help prevent fading or cracking of leather.
Don't sit on the leather sofa if you're sweaty, as your body oils can be absorbed by the leather and cause stains and discoloration.

What is the best homemade leather cleaner?

Natural Do-It-Yourself White Leather Cleaner Recipe Instead, use some water, mild soap, and a few drops of vinegar. Dampen a cloth with this mixture before wiping down the leather. For a natural alternative white leather cleaner, try using a mixture of ¼ cup vinegar and ½ cup olive oil.

Can I use soapy water to clean leather sofa?

To tackle mild stains, dip a clean, damp washcloth in warm soapy water and use it to wipe away the stain on your leather. “Specific leather soaps exist, usually called saddle soaps,” says Pourny. Darker stains, like those from an ink pen, are another story.

How can I make my leather couch look new again?

Leather cleaners can help break down the dirt and stains to make your leather couch look like new. Some products are 2-in-1 and contain both the cleaner and conditioner. Spray the cleaner onto a cloth, rather than directly onto the furniture, to prevent it from leaving spray marks.