The grease on leather fabrics is the worst. Stains on your favorite jacket, bag or leather accessories seem like an insurmountable problem, but there are some effective remedies, if you act in time and with the right products. You can restore your leather items to their former glory with some home remedies. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Quick Fix
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
If you've just greased your boots with butter, or bacon grease ended up on the sofa, it's best to move immediately. If you can take action right away, all you need is:
- A microfiber cloth
- Talc
Step 2. Absorb as much grease as possible with the cloth
Blot the stain trying to absorb all the grease you can and as quickly as possible. The biggest problem when cleaning leather is that it tends to absorb stains, especially grease stains, making it difficult to clean later.
Avoid scrubbing your skin. You can damage the fibers by making the stain even worse. Blot and use a lint-free microfiber cloth
Step 3. Identify the direction of the skin fibers
Just like wood, leather also has fibers that develop in a certain direction. It is easier to clean the stain if you apply the detergents following the fibers rather than in a perpendicular direction. In other words, every time you tamp or rub the leather you have to follow the direction of the fibers.
If you can't find them, always move "from the outside" of the stain towards the center. This will at least shrink the surface of the stain
Step 4. Put some talcum powder on the stain
Use a normal one, like the one for children. Add as much as you want, because talc absorbs fat (without damaging the surface) much faster than the skin if, of course, you move quickly.
Leave it on overnight, or at least for a few hours
Step 5. Brush off the talcum powder gently
Use a cloth or a soft brush to remove the dust, and be careful not to let it fall on the leather, you have to remove it from all the leather surface.
Method 2 of 3: Liquid Detergent
Step 1. Prepare all the ingredients
An effective way to clean small items is to create a cleaning foam by mixing a little liquid dish soap and distilled water. You will need a couple of clean microfiber cloths, distilled water and soap. Consider getting a spray bottle to make the job easier.
Step 2. Apply the cleaner
Soak the fabric in the cleanser and dab a small, hidden area of skin to make sure it doesn't get damaged. Work following the direction of the fibers.
Step 3. Wet the skin with distilled water
Rub the test area with your fingers until a little foam forms and add more water if necessary.
Step 4. Pat dry with a clean cloth
Let the skin dry completely before trying to clean again. It may need to be cleaned several times before the stain fades or fades considerably. But remember to always let the object dry between cleanings.
Method 3 of 3: Household Cleaner
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
To create a simple and effective homemade skin cleanser, you need the same ingredients needed to make bread:
- 80 ml of distilled water
- 30 g of sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of white flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
Step 2. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients in a bowl
Use a spoon or fork to form a paste. This is very effective for removing grease stains from the skin without damaging it.
Alternatively, you can try a mixture
Step 3. Take a test
Find a hidden spot on the object and do a "test" to make sure the leather doesn't get damaged. If it becomes discolored or damaged in any way, remove the dough immediately.
Step 4. Soak a cloth in the mixture and spread it on the stain very gently
As in the "quick fix" you have to pat the area to allow the cleanser to work. Do not scrub so as not to make things worse.
Step 5. Blot with another cloth until the area is dry
Always be gentle and let the area dry completely before giving it another try. It will take several applications before you completely get rid of the stain (or fade it), but remember to let it dry between cleanings.
Step 6. Try alternatives
There are many detergent "recipes" that you can experiment with and all of them have varying degrees of success. The cleaning method is always the same, you can change the detergent according to the natural products you have available. Here are some suggestions:
- Equal parts water and vinegar
- Cream of tartar and lemon juice in equal parts
- Vinegar and linseed oil in a ratio of 1: 2
Advice
- These methods do not work on aniline treated leather. You will need a special degreaser.
- The grease spot may initially look terrible, but it will tend to fade as it is slowly absorbed into the skin.
- If you have colored skin, the foam of a good water-based leather cleanser can be very effective, it will leave no residue.
- There is usually a lot more fat on the inside of the leather surface than you can see on the outside.
- A good fluoride-based product, to protect the skin, can be very useful in making it more resistant and preventing it from absorbing grease and dirt.
