Prep first
Before you start
- Find the care tag or the maker's care guide, since leather types need different care.
- Vacuum loose dirt first so it doesn't get rubbed into the surface.
- Check whether the leather is absorbent or pigmented before you apply anything.
- Plan for drying time, and keep the item out of direct sun while it dries.
Many leathers are absorbent, so smoke, urine, pet and mildew smells can soak into the surface and the foam beneath it. Before you clean, check the care tag and whether the leather is absorbent, because absorbent leather marks and stains more easily and needs gentler care.
Getting the smoke smell out of a leather couch or chair takes a gentle deep clean, not harsh chemicals. Start with the cleaning, then deodorize with baking soda, and let the item air out in a shaded spot until the smell is gone. Pet and urine smells in a leather couch need the same care, plus a look at the cushioning beneath.
Before you start
What leather can take
Use with care1
- Water
Avoid7
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxygen bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat (dryer, iron, hot air)
7 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Vacuum with a crevice toolLifts loose dirt out of seams and the gap between cushions and frame.
- Leather cleanerLifts odor-holding grime from the surface. Choose one made for leather. (opens Amazon)
- Lint-free clothsWipe the leather without leaving fibers behind. (opens Amazon)
- Distilled waterDampens the cloth for the residue wipe, since some leather makers call for it.
- Baking sodaDraws odor out of the leather when left on for several hours or overnight. (opens Amazon)
- Electric fanMoves air over the leather while it dries and airs out, with no heat. (opens Amazon)
- Leather conditionerRestores softness and luster, but only if the leather's maker allows it. (opens Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Vacuum away the loose dirt
Vacuum the whole item with a crevice tool, working into seams, stitching and the gap between cushions and frame. Loose dirt holds odor, so removing it first lets the cleaner reach the leather itself.
Tip. Vacuuming often keeps smells from building up in the first place.
Step 2 of 7
Test a discreet spot first
Pick a discreet area, such as a seam, the underside of a cushion or the back of a panel, and apply a little leather cleaner there. Wait for it to dry, then check for color change or a stiff feel before going further.
Careful. Stop if the test spot changes color.
Step 3 of 7
Wipe the smelly areas
Wipe the leather with leather cleaner on a lint-free cloth, concentrating on the areas that smell most. Keep the pressure light and don't scrub, since rubbing hard can damage the surface without helping the odor. Then wipe off any residue with a clean cloth dampened with distilled water and well wrung, and dry the area right away.
Careful. Don't soak the leather, since moisture can harden, shrink or crack it.
Step 4 of 7
Let the leather dry fully
Let the leather dry on its own, in a room with a fan moving air over it, and keep it away from hairdryers, radiators and direct sunlight. Once it is fully dry, sniff the cleaned spots and compare them with the rest of the item.
Tip. If the smell is still there, clean the same spots again and let it dry once more.
Step 5 of 7
Deodorize with baking soda
Shake baking soda over the smelly areas and leave it several hours or overnight so it draws out the odor. Then vacuum it off gently, or shake it free if you prefer.
Step 6 of 7
Air the item out in shade
Set the item in a shaded spot with good air circulation until the smell is gone. Fresh air helps the last traces of odor leave the leather.
Careful. Keep it out of prolonged direct sunlight, which can fade and shrink leather.
Step 7 of 7
Condition only if allowed
Once the item is clean and dry, apply a commercial leather conditioner only if the leather's maker allows it. It restores softness and luster after cleaning.
What makes the job easier
Products that help
Choose a leather cleaner made for your type of leather, and skip anything that lists alcohol, solvents or bleach. Only buy a conditioner after checking that your leather's maker allows one.
Leather Honey Leather Cleaner
How we picked these: each product is made for this kind of odor or surface, its maker doesn't warn against using it on leather, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →A faint smell often fades as everything dries and airs out; give it a day before a second round.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The item is clean when the smell is gone from the areas you treated and the leather looks even, with no water marks or damp spots. It is fully dry when no moisture is left in the leather or the cushioning beneath it. If a smell or dampness remains, clean the same spots again, let it dry completely, and air it out once more.
If there is a stain too
Related guides
A smell usually has a stain or a spill behind it. These guides cover the cleanup in detail:
What changes for yours
Adjust for the smell or the item
Leather couches and chairs
Foam cushions under the leather absorb odor just as easily as the leather does, especially smoke and pet odor. Check the cushioning too, since that is where the odor can settle.
If the smell persists after cleaning, remove the leather covers where possible to clean or replace the cushioning. If it still smells after that, a professional leather cleaning service can help.
Car seats
Smoke particles settle into the porous foam inside car seats, so the odor often goes deeper than the leather. Vacuum under and between the seats first, and remove personal items and trash that can hold the smell.
Use only a little liquid on perforated leather, since too much water can soak through the holes. Replace a smoke-saturated cabin air filter and run an odor neutralizer through the vents, then air the car out.
Jackets, bags and shoes
Empty the bag or pockets and turn the jacket inside out before cleaning, so loose debris comes out first. Keep every wipe barely damp, since leather can harden or crack if it soaks through.
Nubuck and suede soak up liquid, so treat them as suede rather than smooth leather. If one has been washed, let it dry at room temperature, away from heat and light, with something absorbent inside to keep its shape.
Faux or PU leather
Faux and PU leather can smell like fish from dye and packaging, which is often the new-leather smell people notice. Clean it as described, then air it out in fresh air, out of direct sun, once it is fully dry.
Imitation leather needs different care than real leather. Check the maker's guidance before using any product on it, and keep the cleaning light.
Musty or mildewed leather
Brush loose mold spores off with a soft-bristled broom, outdoors if you can, then run a vacuum attachment over the surface and empty the vacuum bag outdoors. If the leather is damp, dry it with an electric fan, and don't overwet the upholstery.
Keep the item in a shaded, breezy spot while it dries, since wet leather should not dry in direct sunlight.
Prevention
Keep the smell from coming back
Vacuum and dust often, using a crevice tool along the seams, and wipe the leather weekly with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water. Keeping up with this gives smells less chance to build up in the first place.
Condition genuine leather every six months, using only a conditioner the leather's maker allows. For car seats, periodic leather maintenance about twice a year is recommended. Keep the leather out of prolonged direct sunlight, which fades and shrinks it, and use sunshades in a car.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies get rid of the smell?
Many household products that clean fabric or deodorize other surfaces are not safe for leather. Baking soda is the one home remedy worth reaching for; leather can't take bleach, vinegar, alcohol or soaking, so leave the others alone.
Works1Avoid5
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't cover the smell with fragrance
Scented cleaners and air fresheners often make a leather smell worse rather than better, since they mask it. Use an odor eliminator that breaks the odor down instead.
Don't soak the leather or leave it wet
Leather that is soaked or left wet can harden, shrink or crack. Keep every cleaning step to a damp, well-wrung cloth and dry the leather right away.
Don't dry it with heat
A hairdryer, radiator, direct sunlight or steam can all damage leather, and it should not be ironed. Let it dry on its own in a room with air moving.
Don't scrub stubborn stains
Rubbing hard won't pull the smell out any faster and can damage the surface. Use light pressure and give the baking soda time to work instead.
Don't use unknown products
Products you haven't checked can discolor the leather or damage its finish. Stick with leather cleaner and baking soda, and test anything else on a hidden spot first.
Troubleshooting
If the smell comes back
Pick what you're seeing:
The smell returns after drying
Clean the same spots again, let the item dry completely, then air it out in a shaded spot with air moving. If the smell still comes back on a couch, check the foam beneath the leather and remove the covers where possible to clean or replace the cushioning.
Water marks or damp patches after cleaning
Do not use too much water on perforated leather, such as car seats, since it can soak in and leave marks. Dry the spot right away with a clean cloth, then let it air out in a shaded, airy spot.
The leather feels stiff or cracks as it dries
Leather that was soaked or dried with heat can harden, shrink or crack. Stop putting liquid on it, and call a professional leather repair business for cracks, abrasions or small rips.
When to call a professional
Call a professional leather cleaning service or a leather specialist for difficult or persistent stains. For unusual stains, color damage, abrasions or small rips, a professional leather repair business is the right call.
Questions
Is smoke smell in leather permanent?
It is hard but possible to get smoke smell out of leather. Smoke particles settle into porous materials, so clean again if the smell lingers after drying.
Do ozone generators clear smoke smell from leather?
No, not reliably. At safe concentrations ozone has little ability to remove indoor odor-causing contaminants, and it should never run in an occupied room. The smell of ozone also doesn't tell you whether the level is safe.
Can urine smell be removed from a leather couch?
It can be, but treat it as a deep clean rather than a quick wipe, since the odor can reach the foam beneath the leather. If there is a visible stain, treat it first with that stain's own method. If it still smells after the steps, a professional leather cleaning service can help.
What should I do without a care tag or maker's guide?
Clean gently and test first: vacuum, spot test a discreet area with leather cleaner, and wipe lightly. Maker guides give different steps for different leather lines, so the gentlest method is the safest choice until you can confirm what your leather is.
How do I tell if my leather is absorbent or pigmented?
Put a drop of water on a hidden spot. Pigmented leather has a protective color finish with good liquid repellency, while aniline leather has no pigment finish and absorbs liquid more readily. Car interiors are usually pigmented.
Is the fishy or new-leather smell normal?
A fishy or new-leather smell often comes from the dye and packaging, especially on faux or PU leather. Clean the item as described, then air it out in fresh air, away from direct sun, once it is fully dry.
Start from the bigger picture
More odor guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.