How to Remove Stains from Leather Furniture

Leather furniture adds a touch of elegance to your home, but stains can quickly ruin that class. Accidents are inevitable, such as coffee spills, ink stains, or greasy fingerprints, especially if you use your furniture frequently.

Are you afraid of ruining your couch while cleaning it? Don’t worry. If you know how to clean leather furniture the right way, you can get rid of most stains without hurting the finish or texture of the leather.

Read on for simple steps and tips to restore your furniture’s beauty with confidence.

Before You Begin: Understand Your Leather

It’s important to know what kind of leather you have before you clean it, because not all leather is cleaned the same way. Whether you’re learning how to clean leather furniture or treat a leather stain, knowing your leather type is key. Most sofas, chairs, and ottomans fall into two main categories:

• Aniline-dyed leather: It is also known as “unfinished leather.” It has a soft, natural look, but it is fragile and stains easily.
• Pigmented leathers: also colored, but it has a color coating on top that protects it. It’s not as soft as aniline leather, but it’s stronger, less likely to stain, and less likely to fade over time.

Types of Leather Stains

It’s important to know what kind of stain you’re dealing with when cleaning leather. For example, water, oil, ink, or dye all need different methods.

• Water stains can leave light or dark patches on the surface. The good news is, they’re usually fixable with gentle drying and proper care. If you’re wondering how to get stains out of leather safely, starting with the correct method for each type is key.
• Oil and grease stains are more stubborn. They get into leather and leave dark marks. If you know how to get oil out of leather without hurting it, you can keep your furniture from getting stained for good.
• Ink stains are tricky—they can set quickly and may cause lasting damage if not cleaned right away.
• Dye stains, such as those from jeans or bags, often appear on lighter leather and can be difficult to remove once the color has transferred.

How to remove water stains from leather Sofa or Chairs

Water may look harmless, but it can leave marks on leather. Wipe quickly with a dry cloth, or try these steps for older stains:

You’ll need:

• White microfiber cloth
• Distilled water
• Leather conditioner

Steps:

1. Dampen the cloth with distilled water.
2. Gently wipe the stain in circles, starting from the center.
3. Let it dry. If the mark remains, repeat the process.
4. Once clean and dry, apply leather conditioner as per your furniture’s care guide.

How to Clean Grease Stains on Leather

Grease and leather don’t mix well—whether from food or pet oils, they can leave stains. Here’s a simple method for effective stain removal on leather:

You’ll need:

• Dry microfiber cloth
• Cornstarch or talcum powder
• Leather conditioner

Steps:

1. Blot the grease gently with a clean, dry cloth.
2. Cover the stain with cornflower or talcum powder.
3. Let it sit overnight (keep pets away).
4. Wipe the powder off the next day.
5. Repeat if needed, then apply leather conditioner.

How to Clean Grease from Leather Using Dish Soap

Grease stains can be tricky, but dish soap is a simple and effective way to remove leather stains, especially on pigmented leather.

You’ll need:

• Microfiber cloths
• Mild grease-fighting dish soap
• Distilled water
• Leather conditioner

Steps:

1. Blot grease with a dry cloth.
2. Mix dish soap with water to make lather.
3. Dab stain gently with a soapy cloth.
4. Wipe off soap with a cloth dampened in distilled water.
5. Dry the area with a fresh cloth.
6. Repeat if needed until the stain is gone.
7. Apply conditioner to restore softness—it’s one of the best ways to clean leather furniture without damage.

How to Remove Ink Stains from Leather

• Ink stains can come from pen leaks or kids drawing on furniture.
• They don’t respond well to home remedies.
• Use a leather-safe ink-removal stick (available online or in stores).
• Follow the instructions on the product carefully.
• After cleaning, apply a leather conditioner to secure and restore the surface.

Leather Care and Cleaning by Lilly’s Cleaning Service

You can keep your favorite leather furniture looking great for years now that you know how to get rid of stains.

Do you want the rest of your living room to shine too? A little care goes a long way, from cleaning lampshades to smart organizing tips.

Short on time? Let Lilly’s Cleaning Service handle it for you! We offer full living room cleaning and regular housekeeping in Odessa and Midland, TX, to keep your home fresh and stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions