Leather is a type of material that looks great when it's maintained, but will look shabby when unkempt. Cleaning leather requires a gentle touch and an effective but mild disinfectant for killing germs.
In this article, we'll present to you the ways you can clean different forms of leather, from leather car seats to leather jackets and other articles of clothing. Keep yourself safe from germs and diseases with proper disinfection that won't damage your leather materials!
How to Disinfect Different Forms of Leather
Sanitize Leather Car Seats
Leather is often used in car seats as they provide a sleek aesthetic to the car. However, most of the leather materials used in car seats are often made from synthetic leather alternatives that are easier and cheaper to source. As these are made with vinyl or plastic, you can easily disinfect them with a multi-surface disinfectant without any problems.
Spray or pour an ample amount of disinfecting solution onto a soft cloth. Use the damp cloth to apply the disinfectant all over your car seats. Go over the seats, the backrest, the arm rest, and even underneath the seats to fully disinfect every area. Disinfectant wipes are convenient to use for this reason, so consider storing some in your car.
Sanitize Leather Couch and Chairs
Real leather sofas and chairs are exquisite and comfortable to sit on, but they cannot be disinfected the same way car seats can, as real leather may chip with usual disinfecting solutions. Instead, create a leather cleaner using 2-3 tablespoons of dish soap, and a cup of water. Most germs will die as the soapy solution breaks through their protective barriers.
Use a soft cloth to apply the soapy water directly onto your leather seats. Clean leather sofas and chairs with the mild soap solution, making sure to get into the nooks and crannies of the seats. Gently wipe the entire surface with a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture and residue.
Sanitize Leather Jackets
The importance of disinfecting leather clothes is more prominent now than ever. Disinfection is a form of disease control, which is essential to stop the spread of germs and viruses. Don't store away your leather clothes just yet! You can continue to wear them despite the dangers of catching germs, as long as you disinfect them after every use.
Like leather sofas, you can use soap to disinfect your leather jackets, pants, and other articles of clothing. Create a stronger soapy solution with equal parts castile soap and hot water. Use this solution while still hot, and apply the soap mixture to your clothing through a cotton cloth. Let the mixture dry, then use a dampened cloth to "rinse" out the soap residue.
Also read: How to Disinfect Nail Clippers
Sanitize Leather Shoes and Bags
Easily clean leather shoes with a commercial leather cleaner meant for such purpose. Most shoe stores would have a convenient leather cleaning solution, which you may use directly on your leather heels, boots, or shoes.
For bags and wallets, clean synthetic leatherette with some diluted rubbing alcohol or disinfectant solution on a clean towel. For real leather, use the soapy solution mentioned above to sanitize your leather bags and wallets! Remember to apply the solution on a cloth first, before wiping it onto your leather wares.
How to Keep Your Leather in Good Quality
Treat Stains Immediately
Treat any stains you find on your leather furniture or clothing immediately as you see them. The longer you let them sit, the more difficult they will be to remove, especially when dealing with oil and grease stains. Keep a cleaning solution on hand for such cases, and you may benefit from bringing disinfecting wipes to your car for those quick clean-ups.
Here's a helpful tip: clean out ink stains with a bit of milk! Soak a cotton bud in some milk, and use it to dab the ink stain out. Use cornstarch to absorb oil stains, and salt water to deodorize your leather fabrics! These are commonly found in office pantries, but best to keep a stash in your workspace so you can tackle stains at once.
Use a Leather Conditioner
Leather is made from animal skin or plant matter - both of which are organic materials that will decay over time. Lengthen the lifespan of your leatherware by keeping the material supple with a conditioner. Apply a thin, even layer of conditioner frequently. The drier and hotter it is in your area, the more often you should apply the conditioner on your leather surfaces.
Clean Only with Leather Cleaner
Multi-purpose cleaners are great for most types of materials, but leather requires special care with its cleaners. Use only leather-safe cleaners when cleaning your leather, and work in light, gentle motions to avoid scratching the material. Remember, leather is essentially the dried skin of an animal, which is susceptible to rapid decay when not maintained properly.
Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals or Cleaning Solutions
The usual home cleaners, like baking soda, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol may work on other surfaces, but leather is one exception. These substances may damage the leather, causing breakage, chipping, or discoloration. Stick to mild soapy solutions instead!
All-Around Cleaning
Keeping your leather clothes and furniture clean means to keep the rest of your space clean as well. For most commercial spaces, this may be difficult to do as your workforce is already swamped with so much to do during the day. Schedule an office cleaning with Luce SG, and we can handle the cleaning tasks for you!
Check out our blog for more cleaning tips and tricks on all sorts of materials!
