Homemade Leather Cleaner and Conditioner

Leather articles, be it sofa, shoes, bags, etc are generally very expensive. Stains are the last things that anyone would want to see on their leather articles. In the long run, using leather wipes available in the market can prove to be expensive. Besides, in addition to the leather wipes, you have to use conditioners so that the leather does not lose its shine. Using homemade cleaners is an inexpensive and efficient solution to this problem. They can, not only clean the stain, but also serve the purpose of a natural leather conditioner.

Also, homemade leather conditioner or cleaner is a green solution to all the chemical based commercial products. Many people are switching to more eco-friendly products. So, buy some spray bottles from a supermarket, or reuse the old empty bottles available at home. Fill these bottles with leather cleaner or conditioner made at home. Another advantage of using homemade cleaning products is that you can control the amount of cleaner you want to use. This way you can make a fresh batch of cleaner without having to worry about the expiry date of the product.

Homemade Leather Cleaner
Leather should be cleaned regularly. Use a soft cloth to regularly wipe your leather furniture and vacuum weekly to keep their pores clean. For general cleaning purpose use a mixture of ¼ vinegar and ½ cup olive oil. Store it in a bottle and shake well before use. Spray this mixture on the leather and wipe it with a soft cotton.

Use minimal quantity of saddle soaps or baby wipes; they might prove to be harsh for your leather. Use an ivory soap or moisturizing soap for producing lather on leather and clean it with a soft cloth. Do not rinse the leather; instead buff it. For your leather desks use 1 tablespoon Murphy's oil soap diluted in 1 part of water.

Stain Remover Recipe
For removing stain; just rub some toothpaste on the leather surface. Take a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts of neat's foot oil on a lint-free cloth. Apply on the leather in a spinning motion, leave it for 9 hours and buff. You can also dip a soft cotton in rubbing alcohol and rub on the stain.

For removal of smaller stains prepare a paste of 1 part cream of tartar and 1 part lemon juice. Simply apply the paste on the stain and wipe clean after a few hours. For ink stains, use a nail polish remover (non-acetone) or a non-oily cuticle remover. For harder stains try aerosol hair spray. If oil or grease is spilled on your leather sofa or desk, don't use water; blot excess with a dry clean cloth.

Shoes and Clothes
Road salts are very common on leather shoes. For removal of these salts, try a solution of 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar. Dip a cotton in the solution and wipe the shoes with a dry cloth. Use petroleum jelly to give them shine. To remove any mold for your leather shoes; you can use a solution of one part water and one part rubbing alcohol.

For cleaning and conditioning of your leather clothes; prepare a mixture of 40-60 drops of an essential oil, 1/3 olive oil, 8-12 drops of grape fruit extract, 1/3 castile soap and ½ gallon of water. Use a spray bottle for storing it. Spray the solution directly on the stains, and clean with a soft cloth and buff. If your leather clothes smell of odor, leave them in a steamy bathroom with a fruity freshener in the tub. Remember; these leather cleaner and conditioner are not for suede. For removing stains on suede shoes try an art gum eraser. Always dry your leather with a blow dryer.

Never place any leather furniture near the window; exposure to direct sunlight is very harmful for leather. Your friends and family may recommend you many solutions like the ones mentioned in this article, to take care of your leather. But remember always test the solutions on a little patch before directly applying them directly to the stains on your leather goods.