Inexpensive and Effective Homemade Leather Cleaner Recipe (2024)

Modified: by Vanessa Goodpaster-Beaty · This post may contain affiliate links · 27 Comments

Inexpensive and Effective Homemade Leather Cleaner Recipe (1)

If you have leather furniture you probably already know how difficult it can be to keep it clean and shining. While there are many leather cleaners and wipes on the market to help you, these can get pretty expensive, particularly if you have a lot of leather to clean.

There is a great homemade recipe for leather cleaner that not only cleans but also conditions your leather to keep it healthier. This is a great recipe for those of you who use wood heat or have forced heat air in your homes and it works really well on leather car seats and even those great leather jackets that you have hanging in the closet.

The recipe is simple. You just need:

  • ¼ cup of olive oil
  • ½ cup of regular vinegar
  • A spray bottle

Just mix the two ingredients together in your spray bottle and shake it well. Now you just have to spray the leather down and wipe it clean with a cotton cloth. Note that you can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or your favorite essential oil if you want to give it a better smell than vinegar although the vinegar smell really doesn’t last long.

Please note that this recipe is perfectly safe for regular leather but is it not designed to be used on suede.

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  1. Nicole

    eorks very well. Added eucalyptus oil and made the house smell awesome. I also used this on my wood floors and it worked well for that too!

    Reply

    • Richell Herman

      Let me guess, the overspray got on your floor. Yup me too!

      Reply

  2. Laurie

    Didn't clean it but made it nice and soft.

    Reply

  3. Nora Ryan

    I'm so happy I landed on your website! I like making my own cleaning products! But there is something I like more... I like my homemade products to be effective as well as commercial products are!!! And thanks to you I brought a life to my old leather coach! Thank you so much for sharing! Keep the great work!

    Reply

  4. Frank

    I really appreciate knowinjackets of You have saved my Leather jackets of which I have spent a colossal amount with the dry clear outlets.
    GOD BLESS YOU.

    Reply

  5. Frank

    I really appreciate knowing You for you have saved my Leather jackets of which I have spent a colossal amount with the dry clear outlets.
    GOD BLESS YOU.

    Reply

  6. beverly

    A word of caution;

    The self-proclaimed leather-restoration experts over at Fibrenew argue that you're headed for disaster if you do. Sir Fibrenew, the Fibrenew mascot, explains:

    Although leather does indeed become a little suppler after applying olive oil, this instant gratification comes with a price. Olive oil, and every oily substance for that matter, will not "nourish" your leather, but actually accelerate its deterioration. Leather is extremely permeable, and will soak up any oils you put on it. When oil first saturates leather, it seeps to the back-to the part you can't see. Eventually, the oil ends up spreading throughout the leather and naturally resurfaces. Once this happens, your leather will have unsightly oil spots.

    Reply

    • pEG

      So what is the alternative to this?

      Reply

      • Anonymous

        Bee wax is best for nourishing leather

        Reply

        • Paula

          How do you make it?
          I have the pellets?
          Thanks!

          Reply

        • Elle Buckle

          I have used beeswax on my leather furniture for over 30yrs now.
          I have replaced the the rubber cushion twice, having them custom cut to fit and using quality inserts. The two lounge suites and chairs have seen a family of 4 , 8 grandchildren and visitors without a mark or damage (luckily). A wash over any spills with warm soapy water has proven to remove wine, soft drinks and ice cream.

          Reply

    • Brandi

      So then what do they suggest that is all natural?

      Reply

  7. LASH

    How about cooking oil? It will be able to use it?

    Reply

  8. ZEKA

    How about mineral oil? Like using it on wood and will not turn ranside. (Smell and spoil)

    Reply

  9. Chris

    How long can I keep the mix stored ?

    Reply

  10. boomdog02

    It's a good base for a nice vinaigrette!

    Reply

  11. Shadykay

    My new blue jeans bled onto my beige leather car seats. This worked a charm on the seats. It removed the blue better than I expected. I hope it's not true about eventually ruining and staining the leather.

    Reply

  12. susan jassim

    i use petroleum jelly to condition my leather but i've got a purse made of crocodile skin which has become very dirty it's ingrained. Does anyone know what i can use to clean ingrained dirt? thank you, Sue

    Reply

    • Roky

      I use good quality pre moistened make up remover wipes for all my leather goods. I spent my 25+ year career in high end speciality retail. I was very fortunate to work for a retailer who offered a generous employee discount, a major purchase house account card, and who also awarded and rewarded employees with additional discounts that could be combined ( even with sale merchandise). Needless to say, I have a large collection of leather goods. As a retailer, we sent out all leather goods to a very well known, long time established, and respected Chicago family business who specialized in cleaning and repairing high end leather goods. I never felt when I picked up ( especially ) my limited edition Dior bags and wallets which are of which are made out of very delicate finely grained buttery textured calf skin, that they looked much better than when I dropped them off for cleaning. One evening over 20 years ago, I was hurriedly getting ready for a dinner date in the car when I dropped a wet mascara wand that rolled over my cheek, landed on my jeans then continued to roll over my Dior bag, my leather car seat, then finished it's journey on my tan car mat. Panicked, I used a makeup wipe on my face first, then out of desperation , I was shocked that the wipe removed the makeup from my jeans, the leather car seat.. And my bag. I loved the shine and the way my bag looked after using the wipe. I then tried a wipe on my wallet - looked amazing and got off some black tar like goo that remained despite the $30 I just dished out to have cleaned. I shares my discovery with colleagues at work and also with the folks who own the leather repair and cleaning business. Everyone was shocked at not just the dirt and ick that the wipes removed, but more than anything the appearance, and feel of the leather item after using the wipe. I recommend the regular or nighttime neutrogena wipes or the regular or nighttime WALMART house brand wipes over all others I have tried.

      Reply

  13. Rudy

    I have tried your formula it does not work,should I increase the vinegar

    Reply

  14. Rudy

    It doesn't work for my leather car seats or my wife's purse should I increase the vinaiger.

    Reply

  15. Sol Man

    Is balsamic or white wine vinegar from Modena better?

    Reply

  16. Anonymous

    For household use I just keep a gallon jug of white distilled vinegar for laundry and cleaning. Cheap, non staining and environmentally friendly. Save the nice stuff for cooking and consumption.

    Reply

  17. Anonymous

    Please don't use vinegar on handbags. I ruined a gorgeous designer handbag when the vinegar etched the hardware finish right off.

    Reply

  18. Anonymous

    Thanks for the info I have been paying ridiculous prices for spray leather cleaner. I guess your simple recipe is why they don’t try to make a generic to compete, but who knows? For a good price you just be the next billionaire! Good Luck!

    Reply

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  1. […] can buy leather cleaning solutions in your local automotive goods store. Better yet, you can make one yourself at home. If you’re only doing a superficial cleaning, simple house cleaning products or vinegar can get […]

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Inexpensive and Effective Homemade Leather Cleaner Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best homemade leather cleaner? ›

General Cleaner for All Leather

Mix a 50/50 vinegar and water solution in a bowl (Image 1) and use a microfiber cloth to apply it to your furniture (Image 2). Rub the leather in a circular motion to lift the dirt out of the natural fibers. Return your cloth to the bowl often, wringing it out and rewetting it.

How do you clean leather cheaply? ›

If you prefer to use a homemade product, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a small bucket. Apply with a clean cloth. The cloth must be damp, not soaking wet.

What household products can you clean leather with? ›

The easiest homemade leather cleaner can be made from two natural ingredients: equal parts white vinegar and warm water. If you have a stubborn stain, blotting a mixture of water and mild dish soap can help. (Don't aggressively scrub a stain though—that could damage the leather.)

What is the best natural product to clean leather? ›

Use White Vinegar Cleaner to Remove soil from Leather

All you need to do is to dab the vinegar directly on the affected area. It works better to remove deep-soiled areas. Once it dries off, apply a dab of olive oil using a microfiber cloth and buff the leather to keep the material supple and soft.

How do you make homemade leather solution? ›

Mix equal parts dish soap and warm water to make a homemade leather cleaning. A half cup of this solution can clean a medium-sized tote bag. If you like, you can go to a store or you can also purchase a leather cleaner online.

Is Dawn dish soap good for leather? ›

If the stain persists, try blotting with a towel dipped in a mixture of water and a mild dish soap (like Palmolive or Dawn). Be sure to blot gently; scrubbing rigorously can cause permanent damage to the leather. When you're done, thoroughly dry the spot with a fresh cloth.

What should you not use on leather? ›

What should you avoid when cleaning leather?
  • Never use the washing machine. ...
  • Never use ammonia, bleach-based, or acetone-based products, as they're too harsh and can damage leather's natural finish.
  • Don't use cleaning cloths that are fully saturated or dripping with liquid.
Aug 31, 2023

What not to clean leather with? ›

Leather is a robust material, but you can harm it if you clean it improperly. Harsh chemicals, abrasive cleansers, and products containing alcohol or silicone should be avoided since they can dry out and damage the leather. Instead, use a light soap or a soft leather cleaner.

What cleans old leather? ›

What household products can you use to clean leather?
  • Saddle soap.
  • Water.
  • Leather conditioner.
  • Leather cream.
  • Soft cloth (like a microfiber cloth)
  • Rubbing alcohol.
  • Cotton swabs.
Jan 12, 2023

Can Murphy's oil soap be used on leather? ›

Use the oil soap like a leather conditioner on leather furniture or your vehicle's dashboard area or upholstery (not cloth). Use the product at full strength and apply it to a dry cloth. Work it over the area, then use a second cloth to buff it.

Is olive oil good for leather? ›

While olive oil softens leather and promotes supplety, its use engenders an array of problems. Firstly, olive oil is known to resurface and stain leather after it has been applied and left to dry. This leads to unsightly spots and blemishes that will ruin the appearance of any leather product.

What is a good substitute for leather shampoo? ›

White Vinegar and Olive Oil

White vinegar is a very common addition to home remedy cleanings. Meanwhile, olive oil adds the nourishing agent you need when cleaning off your leather jacket that a saddle soap offers. To clean your jacket, simply mix ½ part olive oil with ¼ part white vinegar in a spray bottle.

What ingredient is in leather cleaner? ›

Leather Cleaners often contain hazardous phosphates that are bad for the environment and promote the growth of toxins in water. Phosphate formulas are often found in detergents and dish-soaps as an effective cleaner, but on leather it can rid the natural and essential oils and dry out the leathers surface.

Is apple cider vinegar good for cleaning leather? ›

One of the most common and most effective options is plain old white or apple cider vinegar. We recommend using white vinegar for light-colored leather, and apple cider vinegar for dark leather. You'll want to dilute the vinegar with water, using a 1 to 4 ratio of vinegar to water.

Is vinegar good for cleaning leather? ›

To clean leather products naturally, combine equal parts white vinegar and warm water into a cleaning solution. This solution is good for removing dirt without damaging the leather. However, avoid getting the leather too wet since this might cause harm.

What is the recipe for leather sofa cleaner? ›

The best way how to clean a leather couch and the entire surface would be to mix 2 parts white vinegar with 1 part olive oil in a spray bottle and shake well. You can also add a few drops of fragrant essential oils to cut the vinegar scent.

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