DIY Network

Cleaning Leather Upholstery Cleaning Leather Upholstery From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-112

Leather is a popular choice in furniture, car interiors, clothes and accessories. And along with the cozy leather sofa and the great shoes comes the frustration of keeping them clean.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Always keep leather furniture out of direct sunlight to prevent drying and cracking the leather.

• To nourish the leather feed it a "hide food." Mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts linseed oil, shake well and apply to the leather using a soft cloth. Work in a circular motion, covering the entire surface(figure A). Rub in thoroughly, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then buff with a soft cloth to bring a shine to the leather surface. You may need to buff once more before sitting on the furniture.

• Remove stains such as ink by dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rubbing over the spot. Dry the area with a blow dryer. If the stain remains after drying, apply a thick coat of nongel, nonoily cuticle remover (figure B). Leave on overnight, then wipe off with a damp cloth.

• Remove dark stains from light-colored leather upholstery by mixing a paste of 1 part lemon juice with 1 part cream of tartar. Rub the paste on the stain and leave in place for about 10 minutes. Apply another layer of the paste, work it in, then remove with either a damp sponge or a damp sponge and moisturizing soap.

• For general leather cleaning, use a moisturizing soap, such as Dove. Lather on a soft cloth, and wash the item to remove dirt and grime (figure C). Do not overwet the leather, and do not rinse after washing, just buff with a soft cloth; this allows the moisturizing soap to condition the leather. Polish as usual.

• Remove road salt from leather shoes by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar. Dip a cloth in the mixture and wipe over the leather. You may have to do this several times to clean the surface. Buff and apply a paste shoe polish.

Tip: Some slipcovers can be laundered in the washing machine. Large slipcovers should be cleaned in a commercial machine, but always test for colorfastness before washing.