How to clean grease stains on leather material

Grease and grease on leather look bad. The obnoxious oil stains on coats, bags, and leather goods seem irreparable. However, there are still effective cleaning methods if the right materials are used and handled at the right time. You can restore your leather goods to a shiny new look with this homemade solution. Read step 1 for more information.

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Find materials. If your boots have just been smeared with butter or your leather sofa is greasy, it’s best to act immediately. If you can react quickly, all you need to clean a leather item is just:

Microfiber fabric
talcum powder

Use an oil-absorbing cloth as much as possible. Gently blot on the grease stain, trying to absorb as quickly and as much as possible. The trouble is that leather tends to absorb liquids, especially grease; so it will be difficult for you to clean once the oil has penetrated the skin.

Avoid rubbing the skin. This can damage the fine grain of the leather, making the stain look dirtier. Absorb gently and use a lint-free microfiber cloth.

Look for ridges on the skin. Like wood, leather has a dimensional texture. You will have a better chance of success if you wipe down the ridges of the skin instead of sweeping it horizontally. This means that every time you wipe or absorb leather, you need to pay attention to the movement along the ridges on the skin.

If it’s difficult to find the ridge, try to wipe from the “outside” of the stain and work your way to the center. That way you can at least shrink the stain. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Use soap solution

Collect materials. A particularly effective method for removing grease from small items is to use water and a little foaming dishwashing liquid to clean the items. You will need several microfiber cloths, soap, and water. Using a spray bottle is easier.

Rub soap. Dip the cloth in the soapy solution. Dot the test on the skin, gently when manipulating the ridge of the skin.

Wet skin with clean water. Use clean fingers to try scrubbing the skin, then gently work up a lather. Add more water if necessary.

Use a clean cloth to pat dry. Let the surface dry completely before attempting to clean again. You will have to repeat it several times before the stain shrinks or completely disappears. Wait a while for it to dry completely, then wipe it again.

Homemade solutions

Prepare materials. For a simple and effective cleaning mixture at home, you only need the basic ingredients to make a loaf of bread:

90 ml distilled water
30 ml sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white powder
1 tablespoon baking soda

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Mix ingredients in bowl. Use a spoon or fork to mix the salt water, flour, and baking soda into a paste. This is a very effective mixture for removing grease stains without affecting the ridges on the surface of the skin.

Or you can try varying the proportions of the ingredients to create different blends for different skin types.

Try first. Find a hidden spot on the item to do a “skin test” for the cleaning mixture of your choice. If the leather of the item has been dyed, any cleaning mixture can affect the color, so you should choose an inconspicuous spot on the leather surface to test first.

Dip the cloth in the paste and dab it on the test spot. Use a small amount of the mixture and be very gentle. You can use the basic principle of the quick treatment, dab it gently on your skin and let the mixture work. Do not rub to prevent the stain from sticking more tightly.

Use another cloth to pat dry. You need to be gentle and let the surface dry completely before repeating again. It may take several sessions to remove the stain or significantly reduce the stain, but it’s a good idea to wait a while for the skin’s surface to heal before trying again.

Try other solutions. There are different cleaning formulations that result in varying degrees of success. You can try other recipes if the stain isn’t as clean as you want it to be. Also use the basic cleaning method, but try incorporating natural products available. ^{[2] X Research Sources} Some of the solutions shown to be effective are:

A solution of water and vinegar in equal proportions
Lemon juice and cream of tartar in equal proportions
One part vinegar and two parts flaxseed oil

Ingredient

The fabric is the same color as the stained leather item and 2 more cloths
Aerosols for use in the BUG solution
Patient

Homemade dough

120 ml brine (90 ml distilled water and 30 ml pure sea salt)
1/2 teaspoon refined white powder
1 tablespoon baking soda

Soap method

Mild soapy water (eg Ivory, Zero, etc.)
Distilled water spray bottle

Advice

Grease stains may look bad at first, but they usually go away on their own because the skin is grease-absorbing.
These methods do not work on aniline skin types. You may need special degreasing products to clear this type of skin.
The back of the skin is usually more oily than the front.
For colored leather, a water-based leather cleaning foam (LTT) can work as it helps to remove any remaining surface marks.
A good quality fluoro-chemical leather protector can make similar stains easier to clean because it is oil and dust repellent.

Warning

Always test before cleaning delicate materials. You need to make sure the cleaning mixture does not affect the color of the leather.

Steps