How to Remove Odor on Leather

Leather is a material made from the skins of animals. They are often used to make coats, home decorations, shoes, bags, belts and many other products. Although leather is very durable, it is more difficult to clean than items made from natural or synthetic fibers. Genuine leather is very receptive to strong odors such as smoke, food odors, perspiration, perfumes, musty odors or “new leather odors” from the tanning process. Removing these unpleasant odors from leather requires a lot of trial and error. If you are unsure, you can also use specialized cleaning tools to avoid damaging leather objects.

Table of Contents

Use home remedies

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Dries wet skin immediately. If leather is wet or looks moldy, you need to deal with it immediately. Moisture can permanently damage the skin and create a very unpleasant odor. Here are simple methods to dry skin: ^{[1] X Research Source}

Place leather goods in a cool place indoors and out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause the skin to crack, blister, and wear out. Place next to a sun-filtered window or behind a screen to avoid direct sunlight.
Use the dryer on the lowest temperature. Avoid placing the dryer close to the item as this can cause the skin to dry out. Keep the dryer a certain distance away from the skin to absorb moisture and prevent water stains.
Use a clean cloth to dry, especially if it’s leather shoes, coats or bags. Do not use alcohol-based products or deodorant products such as perfume, but should use a clean cloth to dry. Chemicals in these products can get into the skin’s pores and cause damage.

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Wrap leather with newspaper or wrapping paper. The airiness of newspaper is perfect for absorbing unpleasant odors in your leather goods. Always check and ensure that the item is completely dry and use dry newspaper. The porous texture of newspaper is easier to absorb odors than other types of paper, such as office paper. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Crumple a few lined newspapers into a box and put the leather inside. Wrap in paper and cover the box tightly for one to two days.
Check to see if the odor is gone. If not, we need to leave the leather in the paper box for another day.

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Clean with vinegar solution. The acidity in vinegar can help with odors, and although the smell is unpleasant for some people, vinegar has the ability to dislodge other unpleasant odors on the skin. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Before using any acid-based deodorant, test a small dot to make sure it won’t discolor your skin. Dissolve the white vinegar solution in the water in equal proportions. Dab or spray a small amount of the dissolved solution on a small area. If there is no fading or cracking of the leather, you can continue cleaning your utensils with the above vinegar solution.
Soak a clean cloth in the vinegar solution and wipe the surface of the leather.
You can also use a spray bottle to spray the vinegar solution onto your skin and then dry it with a clean cloth.
If the smell is really bad, you can soak the leather item in the vinegar solution for about 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure to wipe or dry thoroughly after soaking in vinegar to help prevent leather from getting moldy or fungal. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Cover leather with baking soda. Baking soda is great for removing unpleasant odors and is also safe for leather goods. You’ll need baking soda and a pillowcase or zipper bag that’s enough to fit the leather you’re cleaning. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Place the item in a pillowcase or ziplock bag. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the skin. You can also sprinkle a little on the inside of objects to get rid of odors inside.
Tie the top of your pillowcase or zip up the bag. Leave overnight or within 24 hours.
Remove the baking soda with a mini vacuum cleaner or a clean cloth. Brush off the baking soda gently to avoid scratching the skin.
Repeat the above process until the odor is completely gone.

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Let the smell go away over time. Due to the nature of leather, odors that stick to the leather such as cigarette smoke or new leather during tanning will diminish over time. Instead of trying to mask the smell with perfume or other deodorants that make the smell stickier, use leather goods regularly. If you can stand the smell, wear a jacket and leather shoes every day to help the smell of leather to be more pleasant. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

The aging process of the skin will also make the skin softer, open the pores and reduce odors effectively.

Use specialized products

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Buy skin cleansers. You can find leather cleaning products at hardware stores or even at shoe repair shops. Use only those that are specifically made for leather goods. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

You need a dry cloth to wipe. Most leather cleaning products can remove odors, preserve color and shine, and protect skin from cracking.

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Skin preservation. You need to preserve leather goods after cleaning. Preservation eliminates unpleasant odors and preserves the color and shine of the object. Here are ways to take care of your belongings: ^{[8] X Research Source}

Good quality flaxseed oil: This is a natural oil that is very effective in preserving clothes or other leather objects. Avoid using cheap and poor quality flaxseed oil as it will not be as effective. Use a cloth to rub flaxseed oil onto your skin so that the oil can penetrate the skin.
Shoe polish: The oldest method of preserving leather is also one of the best. Use this product for leather shoes, coats or bags. You can also use shoe polish for leather boots or shoes. If you want to clean things made of natural leather, buy shoe polish that contains carnauba wax and natural ingredients.
Specialized Leather Treats: This product can be sold at hardware stores. Most leather preservatives come in spray bottles. Spray on the surface of leather and this substance will penetrate into the pores. They will then help remove odors and leave skin shiny.
Do not use soap made for leather. This product requires repeated washing, may leave streaks on the skin, or cause the skin to stick. ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Consider professional cleaning and maintenance of leather goods. If the odor still doesn’t go away after applying common home remedies, you should consider taking it to a shoe repair shop to have it cleaned and maintained properly. Depending on the item, skin type and severity of the odor, there may be a small fee.

Steps

Use home remedies

Use specialized products

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