Leather is a natural material that has been around since ancient times. It comes from animal skin, such as cowhide or sheepskin. The outer layer of the skin is removed to expose the softer inner layers, which are then tanned using various methods. Cleaning your leather wallet is a necessary step for maintenance, especially before applying new finishes or treatments. Keep reading to learn how to do it safely and effectively.
The process of cleaning leather can be done at home with a few simple tools. However, professional cleaners will use more advanced equipment and techniques to ensure that your leather is cleaned thoroughly.
Although, if it is just routine cleaning you’re after, we have written this article to tell you just how easy it is to clean at home and to guide you through the process. You can even clean at home if you have a tough stain too!
How To Make A Leather Wallet Look New
Leather is one of the most popular materials used in manufacturing today. It is commonly found on furniture, upholstery, luggage, and more. However, leather is susceptible to getting dirty over time.
When this happens, it can become unsightly and unattractive. Fortunately, there are ways to restore your leather items to their original state. Here are five easy steps to follow:
How To Deep Clean A Wallet
Leather is very sensitive to solvents and acids, so make sure you read the ingredients list of any solution you are applying.
Consider is the type of leather you are working with. There are three main types of leather; natural, vegetable-based, and synthetic.
We’ve already spoken about natural leathers, so I’ll go ahead and skip the brief description.
Vegetable-based leathers are made from plants like soybeans and cotton. They tend to be soft and flexible, but they also absorb stains easily.
Synthetic leathers are much harder than vegetable-based leathers. They are usually made from polyester, nylon, acrylic, or vinyl. They are often used in shoes because they are durable and water-resistant.
If you are unsure about what kind of leather you are dealing with, first, check the label. If it says that it’s genuine leather, then you’re most likely working with natural animal hide.
Should the label give nothing away, take a look at the surface of the leather. If it feels rough, it probably isn’t vegetable-based leather. If it feels smooth, it might be synthetic leather.
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Determine What Type Of Leather You Have
Once you know what type of leather you have, you can decide whether you want to clean it at home or hire a professional cleaner. For example, if you have a piece of suede or nubuck leather, you may not need to clean it.
Suede and nubuck are naturally stain-resistant due to their texture. If you have a synthetic leather item, however, it is likely going to require some extra care.
How To Clean Leather With Soap And Water
Once you have determined what type of leather you are dealing with, you can remove any dirt or stains from the leather.
Use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust particles. Next, apply a mild soap solution to the leather.
Make sure to rub the leather evenly across the entire area. Don’t forget to work out the edges of the leather wallet.
Next, rinse the leather under running tap water until all traces of soap are gone. Finally, dry the leather using a lint-free towel.
Apply A Protective Finish
Now that you have removed any dirt and stains, it is time to apply a protective finish. Remember that the purpose of this process is to keep the leather looking good for as long as possible.
Choose a product that has been specifically designed for leather like this one. Some products contain waxes, oils, and other ingredients that will seal the leather and prevent it from absorbing moisture. Others use UV inhibitors to prevent fading.
Store Your Leather Wallet
If you aren’t using your wallet on a regular basis store it in an airtight area if possible, but if not, a cool dry closet will suffice.
Top Leather Cleaners Of 2022
- Leather Honey
- Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner
- Leather Cleaning Wipes
- Lexol Leather Cleaner and conditioner
- TriNova Leather Cleaner
Other Household Ingredients For Cleaning Leather
Baking Soda Or Cornstarch
To clean oil or tough grease stains off your leather product, whether that be shoes or a purse, apply baking soda or cornstarch directly onto the stain.
Rub it in using a damp cloth and allow it to sit for a few hours or leave it overnight.
The soda or starch will help to absorb the oil and stain. You should then wipe off the powder with a soft cloth.
Lemon Juice And Cream Of Tartar
For this to work to clean your leather, you should mix equal parts of each ingredient until it forms a paste.
Apply this paste to the stained area of leather and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes.
Use a damp cloth to get rid of the remaining paste. Both these ingredients have a mild bleaching effect, so make sure you are only cleaning light-colored leather.
Alcohol
If you have a stubborn stain on your leather, try rubbing alcohol on the spot. Allow it to soak into the leather for a couple of minutes before wiping it off.
Alcohol works by dissolving the stain, but it also removes the natural oils from the leather.
Be careful when using this method because it could cause permanent discoloration.
Vinegar
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Vinegar is great for removing stains from your leather. Just dip a cotton ball in vinegar and dab it onto the leather. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it off with a wet rag.
Nail Polish Remover
You don’t need to buy special nail polish removers to clean your leather. All you need is some acetone nail polish remover and a cotton swab.
Mix up a small amount of acetone nail polish removers and place it in a spray bottle.
Then, take a cotton swab and moisten it with the mixture.
Dip the end of the cotton swab into the acetone and then press it against the leather. Swipe the leather around to remove any residue left behind.
Honey
Just like vinegar, honey can be used to remove stains from leather. Simply rub the leather with a little bit of honey and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Wipe away the excess with a clean cloth.
Final Thoughts
Remember, a mild soap solution has a much lesser chance of staining or ruining the material than other harsher solutions.
However, if the stain is stubborn, don't be afraid to move on to other solutions, and you should have clean leather in no time.