Prep first
Before you start
- Find the care label or the maker's cleaning advice, and follow it where it's specific.
- Check whether the leather has a protective color finish. Aniline leather has none and stains more easily.
- Brush or vacuum off loose dirt first, using a crevice tool in seams.
- Test every product on a small hidden patch, and let it dry before you judge the result.
Leather looks tough, but moisture can harden, shrink or crack it, and heat can do the same. Absorbent leather also stains more easily than leather with a protective color finish, so check which one you have before you start. Look for the care label, and follow the maker's advice where it's specific, since leather varies.
A leather jacket, a leather purse or leather shoes can all be cleaned with the same gentle method, which covers most jobs. Start with a soft brush, then use mild non-detergent soap and distilled water on a soft cloth. Blot spills quickly instead of rubbing them.
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)
8 items
What you'll need
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- Soft brushLifts loose dirt out of the grain and seams before any liquid touches the leather. (opens Amazon)
- Vacuum with a crevice toolReaches dust and grit in stitching and seams.
- Soft, lint-free clothsWipe and blot without leaving fibers on the leather. (opens Amazon)
- Mild non-detergent soapLifts dirt. Household detergents and dish soap are not meant for leather.
- Distilled waterUsed for the foam and the rinse, so no minerals are left on the leather.
- Foam leather cleanerUsed for heavy soil on smooth-finished shoes and boots. (opens Amazon)
- Leather conditionerRestores softness and luster, but only if the maker allows it. (opens Amazon)
- Cellulose sponge (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Test on a hidden patch
Choose an inside seam, the underside of a strap or the back of a cushion for your test. Apply the cleaner you plan to use there and let it dry fully before you decide.
Careful. Test every product first, even one labeled for leather.
Step 2 of 7
Brush off loose dirt
Brush the surface lightly with a soft brush, then vacuum the seams and stitching with a crevice tool. Loose grit left in place can scratch the leather once it gets wet.
Tip. Brush in the direction of the grain so you don't push dirt deeper.
Step 3 of 7
Whip up a mild soap foam
Mix equal parts mild non-detergent soap and distilled water, then whip the mixture into a foam. Dip a slightly dampened cloth or sponge into the foam only, leaving the liquid underneath.
Careful. Wring the cloth out well, since a dripping cloth leaves more moisture than leather can take.
Step 4 of 7
Wipe the soiled areas
Apply the foam lightly to the soiled areas, one section at a time, so no part dries before it's cleaned. Work from the edges toward the middle of each section so the foam blends in.
Careful. Heavy rubbing can damage the surface, so keep the pressure light even on stubborn spots.
Step 5 of 7
Blot the soap off
Wring a clean cloth out well in clear distilled water and wipe over the cleaned areas to lift the soap. Leftover soap can dry on the surface, so take your time with this pass.
Tip. Switch to a clean section of cloth whenever the first one picks up dirt.
Step 6 of 7
Dry it naturally
Blot with a dry soft cloth until no more moisture comes up. Set the piece in a ventilated, shaded spot and let it air dry naturally.
Tip. Stuff a bag or jacket lightly with a clean, dry towel to hold its shape while it dries.
Careful. Keep the piece away from radiators, hair dryers, steam and direct sun, since heat can harden and crack it.
Step 7 of 7
Condition only if allowed
Once the leather is completely dry, apply a leather conditioner in a thin layer, but only if the maker's care guide allows it. Wipe off any excess and let it settle before the item is used.
Careful. A product the maker doesn't approve can alter the finish, so skip it rather than guess.
What makes the job easier
Best products for cleaning leather
Look for a leather cleaner, a mild non-detergent soap and distilled water, plus a foam leather cleaner for heavy soil. Pick a conditioner only if the maker allows it.
Leather Honey Leather Cleaner
How we picked these: each product is made for cleaning leather, 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 →Spots that survive a deep clean are usually stains, and each stain has its own method.
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 leather should look even in color, feel soft rather than tacky, and show no damp patches when a dry cloth is pressed on it. If there's still any moisture, let it air dry in a shaded, ventilated spot and check again rather than speeding it up with heat.
Treat stains with their own method
Got a stain on it?
A deep clean lifts everyday dirt, but most stains need their own method. Pick yours:
What changes for yours
Adjust for your leather item
Pigmented leather
Pigmented leather has a protective color finish with good liquid repellency, so it's the most forgiving type to clean. Furniture leather with this finish is as easy to clean as car interiors, which are usually pigmented too.
Brush the dirt off first, then use the soap foam and a well-wrung cloth just as you would on any other leather. Test a hidden spot anyway, since even a protective finish can react badly to the wrong product.
Aniline leather
Aniline leather has no pigment finish, so it absorbs liquids more readily and shows stains more easily. Work carefully, with a dry brush or a slightly damp cloth, and clean the whole surface instead of one spot.
Follow the maker's cleaning advice before using any product, and patch-test it first. Keep the cloth barely damp, since absorbent leather shows water marks more easily.
Nubuck and suede
Nubuck and suede have a soft, velvety nap that absorbs liquid, so they need a different approach from smooth leather. Brush dust off with a medium-hard brush before anything else.
A stain may be reduced by gentle cleaning with a damp cloth, but only after a hidden test. Let the piece dry completely before you brush the nap back up.
Car interior leather
Car interiors are usually pigmented leather, so the main method holds, but perforated seats need less water. Keep the cloth barely damp, and dry the seat in a ventilated, shaded spot.
Vacuum the dust and sand first, then wipe with a soft cloth and a leather cleaner or mild soap. Rinse with a cloth wrung out in clean water, and give a steering wheel the same light touch.
Smooth leather shoes and boots
Smooth-finished leather shoes and boots start with warm water and a brush to lift everyday dirt. For heavy soil, use a foam leather cleaner, wipe with a damp cloth, and let it dry.
Condition the leather only if the maker allows it. Dry the shoes away from heat and direct sun.
Between deep cleans
How often to clean it
Deep clean only when the surface looks dirty, and wipe weekly in between. Dust and vacuum often, using a crevice tool in seams, and wipe with a clean, soft lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
Keep leather out of prolonged direct sunlight, which fades and shrinks it, and use sunshades in a car. Car seats benefit from leather maintenance about twice a year.
Under normal use, dusting and vacuuming the crevices is often all that's needed. Apply conditioner only if the maker allows it, since it restores softness and luster.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work for cleaning leather?
Plenty of household remedies are popular for stains, but most of them are wrong for leather. Each one below is off limits, so skip them even when a stain looks stubborn.
Avoid6
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use household detergents
Dish soap, laundry detergent and similar products are not meant for leather. Acid or alkaline cleaners can fade the color or strip the surface, so reach for the mild soap instead.
Don't reach for oils or polish
Saddle soap, oils, furniture polish and varnish aren't meant for leather. They can change the surface, and a glossy look is not the same as clean.
Don't let spills sit
Blot spills quickly with a clean, dry cloth instead of letting them dry in place. Leather that stays wet can harden, shrink or crack, so act while the spill is fresh.
Don't use a stiff brush
Stiff brushes can scratch and wear the surface, even though they seem useful for dirt. Use a soft brush and a light touch, and let the cleaner do the lifting.
Don't clean only one spot
Cleaning just the dirty patch leaves a visible ring where it dried. Work across the whole panel, cushion or section so the color dries evenly.
Troubleshooting
If it still isn't clean
Pick what you're seeing:
Water rings after drying
Water rings usually form where one spot dried faster than the area around it. Wipe the whole cushion, panel or seam from edge to edge with a damp cloth so it dries evenly.
A grease or oil spot is still there
For a fresh oil stain, rub corn starch into it, leave it, then vacuum or brush it off. Don't wash a grease spot with water.
Leather feels stiff or looks dull
Once it's fully dry, apply a conditioner if the maker allows it, to restore softness and luster. For small rips or color damage, a professional leather repair business is the next step.
When to call a professional
Call a professional leather cleaning service for difficult or persistent stains. For unusual stains, color damage, abrasions or small rips, a professional leather repair business is the right call.
Questions
Can you wash leather?
Yes, but only with a damp, well-wrung cloth and mild non-detergent soap, never by soaking it. Dry it right away with a soft cloth, then let it air dry away from heat and sun.
Can you dry clean a leather jacket?
Check the care label first, and avoid solvent-based cleaning, since solvents can discolor or stain leather. For a jacket that needs more than a damp-cloth clean, take it to a professional leather cleaning service rather than trying a solvent yourself.
How do you clean white leather?
Use the same gentle method, with a soft brush, mild non-detergent soap and distilled water, and test a hidden spot first. Skip bleach and any whitening product, since bleach can discolor the leather.
How do you clean patent leather?
There aren't specific steps for patent finishes, so start with the gentlest method: a damp, well-wrung cloth, then dry it right away. Test a hidden spot first, and follow the maker's advice if it gives any.
How do you restore dry, stiff leather?
Let the leather dry naturally first, then apply a conditioner if the maker allows it. Wipe off any excess and check how the leather feels once it's dry.
Can you clean a leather steering wheel?
Treat it like a car seat: vacuum first, wipe with a soft cloth and a leather cleaner or mild soap, then dry in a ventilated, shaded spot. Use little water and no alcohol, since alcohol can discolor or stain leather.
Methods, care labels and related guides
Good to know
Odor guides
Still smells?
More cleaning 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.