But don't worry, so that you are on the safe side and know what you should and shouldn't do, we have put together this article for you.
Here you will find out which household remedies you can use to effectively clean smooth leather, what you should pay attention to before and during cleaning and how you can pamper the leather afterwards.
So get to work and let’s start the wellness treatment!
Cleaning smooth leather: Everything you need to know beforehand
Leather is a unique material, robust and tear-resistant, yet flexible and soft at the same time. The different types of leather differ in their appearance, feel and properties , and that is exactly why you should know what to look out for when cleaning smooth leather.
You can clean smooth leather effectively with the following household remedies. We have summarized which products you can use for what here:
Regular cleaning of dust and dirt, as well as light soiling:
- Wet wipes
- Curd soap/gall soap
- Shampoo or PH-neutral shower gel
Heavier soiling and grease/oil stains:
- Vinegar and linseed oil for a homemade cleansing tincture
- Baby powder
- Dry shampoo
- Baking soda
To clean smooth leather, you should only use cotton cloths , please do not use microfiber cloths , as these can attack and degrease the surface.
Do not rub or scrub, please just dab, sounds funny but is really important when cleaning leather.
Rubbing can cause stains to penetrate deeper into the leather and damage the surface at the same time. Cleaning smooth leather: 8 tried and tested home remedies for the best results
OK, now you know which household remedies are great for cleaning smooth leather. Cleaning leather is really quick and easy if you know how to do it. You will achieve the best results with the following household remedies:
1. How effective is curd soap really for cleaning smooth leather
For light soiling and surface cleaning, curd soap is a real natural talent.
Even if it is tempting to rub the leather with a bar of soap, we strongly advise against it. Firstly, because leather does not like to be rubbed and because the pure soap could leave stains and damage the surface.
It is best to use liquid soap and distilled water. Add a few drops of soap to distilled water and wipe the smooth leather over a large area. Make sure to wring out the cotton cloth well; it should only be slightly damp.
Before you start cleaning a large area, test the mixture on an inconspicuous area first.
Then wipe with a clean cotton cloth and clear distilled water. But only with a damp cloth. Once you're done, let the leather dry slowly.
You can then pamper the dried leather with a leather care balm for smooth leather .
An extra tip for you: you can also use the white/colorless soap to clean white leather.
When cleaning white smooth leather , it is important to use colourless cleaners and household remedies; here, hard soap is a real insider tip.
2. That’s why a cotton cloth is ideal for cleaning smooth leather
Microfiber cloths are great for all kinds of uses in the home, car and much more. But when it comes to leather care, you should use cotton cloths. They are soft, do not scratch the leather and remove dirt and stains gently and effectively.
When using microfiber cloths, you can attack the surface of the smooth leather and degrease it. Even though the cloths are so delicate and soft, they are real power packs, even if you don't notice it.
3. Can smooth leather be cleaned with shampoo or pH-neutral shower gel?
Leather is very similar to our skin, so you can use shampoo or pH-neutral shower gel for smooth leather. However, this would not be our first recommendation, even though they can remove dirt and grease well.
Please note that shampoo or pH-neutral shower gel can dry out or degrease the leather. Just like our skin, if we shower too often our skin becomes dry.
Please never apply it pure to the leather, you can damage the surface, degrease it and leave stains.
Add a few drops of shampoo or shower gel to lukewarm distilled water and use the solution to wipe the smooth leather over a large area. Wring it out well and wipe it with a damp cloth. Then you should wipe the smooth leather with a clean, damp cloth and let it dry thoroughly.
We recommend that you always treat your leather with a leather balm to prevent it from drying out and to give it a little wellness treatment.
4. How effective are wet wipes for cleaning smooth leather?
Wet wipes are ideal for quick cleaning in between or when a mishap needs to be dealt with quickly. Even if it is too late to clean with a dry cotton cloth, i.e. the dirt has already dried, wet wipes are the perfect helper for cleaning smooth leather.
But here too, please always test in an inconspicuous place and only then start cleaning the larger area.
5. Saddle soap for gentle care?
Saddle soap is an alkaline soap and is suitable for cleaning smooth leather. However, leather is tanned in an acidic range, which other professional cleaners take into account, but not saddle soap.
Of course, you can use the saddle soap to clean smooth leather, but we would recommend using a professional cleaner tailored to your leather.
If you have decided to use saddle soap, then lather up a little soap with a soft sponge and apply the fine foam to the smooth leather. Please dab and wipe the leather carefully, as you know, leather does not like being rubbed.
Afterwards you should pamper the leather with a care balm.
Guess what the next step is.
Yes, that's right, you are already a leather professional and know that it is best to test all cleaners on an inconspicuous area before you start cleaning a large area.
6. How do you clean smooth leather with dishwashing liquid?
We cannot recommend dishwashing liquid as an ideal cleaner for smooth leather, but for cleaning suede A mixture of distilled water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid is ideal.
7. Dirt eraser for cleaning smooth leather
We strongly advise against this, as cleaning with a dirt eraser is ideal for suede types, but not for smooth leather. The eraser would irreparably damage the surface of the smooth leather.
8. Can you clean smooth leather with vinegar and linseed oil?
Yes, absolutely, you can do that! The smooth leather will definitely appreciate this cleaning.
For this wellness treatment you need the following:
- 25ml vinegar
- 250ml distilled water (lukewarm)
- 1-2 tsp linseed oil, olive oil or vegetable oil (choose one of the oils)
- Cotton towels
And this is how it is done:
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Mix the vinegar into the lukewarm water and soak the cotton cloth in the mixture . Then wring it out well and wipe the leather with the cleaning solution.
- Let the leather dry thoroughly
- Put the oil of your choice on a dry, clean cotton cloth and dab it onto the leather. Please use sparingly and do not apply too much oil to one spot. Distribute the oil evenly using circular movements.
- Allow the oil to work for a while and then, if you want, you can polish it again with another cotton cloth (dry).
Special tips for optimal results
With these three special tips, your leather will shine and put a smile on your face, not only because it looks so good, but also because cleaning leather is really quick and easy.
OK, here are the special tips.
Guess what our number 1 special tip is? Yes, that's right!
1. Always test household products and professional cleaners on an inconspicuous area first
2. Always clean smooth leather with cotton cloths
3. Always use distilled water for cleaning to avoid limescale stains
Caring for smooth leather: The best methods at a glance
Leather care is really easy, whether you choose a professional leather cleaner or a home remedy .
- Handbags, car seats, leather sofas, leather steering wheels and all other smooth leather items benefit from leather care with a household remedy and a subsequent wellness treatment with a leather balm.
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Curd soap is the ideal household remedy for light soiling and regular cleaning
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Shampoo and pH-neutral shower gel are suitable for light/heavy soiling
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You can use vinegar and water for light/heavy soiling to clean and care for smooth leather.
- You can easily remove grease stains from leather using baby powder, baking soda or flour , which are also great for suede. Check out our guide “Cleaning leather: tips and tricks”
Conclusion
Caring for smooth leather is simple and effective, regardless of whether you use professional cleaners or home remedies.
Make sure to follow the special tips to optimize leather care. Curd soap is particularly suitable for light soiling, while shampoo and pH-neutral shower gel are suitable for light to heavy soiling. Only use cotton cloths to protect the leather and avoid rubbing, instead dabbing gently. Test all cleaning products on an inconspicuous area first.
FAQ
How often should you clean smooth leather?
The frequency with which you should clean smooth leather depends on a number of factors, including the type of soiling, how the leather is used, and the environmental conditions. In general, it is best to clean and condition smooth leather regularly to maintain its beauty and longevity.
Which oil is best for smooth leather?
Mink oil, beeswax leather oil and coconut oil are recommended for the care of smooth leather. Mink oil penetrates deeply, moisturizes and protects against drying out. Beeswax leather oil forms a protective layer and coconut oil gives shine. Alternatively, you can of course also use the special Link: Leather Care Oil from Picard .
How do you protect smooth leather from dirt?
To protect smooth leather from dirt, you can consider the following measures:
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Leather waterproofing: Use a leather waterproofing agent to form a protective film on the surface of the leather. This film protects against moisture and dirt.
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Leather care products: Regular use of leather care products, such as leather oil or leather balm, keeps the leather supple and resistant to dirt.
- Cleanliness regime: Clean your leather products regularly to remove dirt before it can penetrate deeper. A soft cloth or brush is good for daily cleaning.
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