How to Make a DIY Leather Cleaner to Keep Your Furniture Looking Great

Charity
by Charity

Wondering how to clean leather and maintain the timeless charm of your furniture?


In this quick and easy guide, I’m going to show you how to create a DIY Leather Cleaner that will breathe new life into your favorite couch or sofa.


This post was transcribed by a member of the Hometalk editorial team from the original HometalkTV episode.

Tools and Materials:

Hometalk may receive a small affiliate commission from purchases made via Amazon links in this article but at no cost to you.


Now, let's dive into the steps to make your own Natural Leather Cleaner:


Add ingredients to spray bottle

1. Gather Your Ingredients

First, grab a funnel and place it into a spray bottle. Add half a cup of white vinegar.

Cleaning leather the natural way

Add one-fourth a cup of coconut oil (or olive oil if that's what you have).

How to make a homemade leather cleaner

Don't forget to put in half a teaspoon of dish soap – no need for fancy stuff, regular old Dawn dish soap is perfect.

Fragrant homemade leather cleaner

Lastly, add 30 drops of your preferred fragrance or essential oils. I chose to use Thieves essential oil.

Shake the mixture

2. Mix and Load Your Spray Bottle

Now that you have all your ingredients in place, attach the spray nozzle to your bottle. Give it a good shake to mix everything up, and your DIY leather cleaner is now good to go!

Natural cleaning methods

3. Test on a Hidden Spot

Before you dive into cleaning your entire leather couch, it's a smart move to test a small, inconspicuous spot. This step is crucial to ensure the cleaner won't have any adverse effects on your precious leather.


I tested it on the back of my cushions and let it completely dry before moving on to the full couch.


Cleaning a sofa with homemade cleaner

4. Start Cleaning

Once you're sure it's safe to proceed, use your trusty microfiber cloth to apply the leather cleaner evenly. Rub it in using circular motions. This technique ensures thorough and gentle cleaning.

Fresh and clean leather sofa

5. Let It Dry

After the cleaning session, give your leather some time to dry.


More Cleaning Ideas

Check out this DIY Home Cleaning Hacks tutorial for more brilliant ways to keep your home spick and span.

DIY leather cleaner with vinegar and dish soap

DIY Leather Cleaner Tutorial

Now you will be able to easily maintain your leather furniture with this homemade cleaner.


Say goodbye to expensive store-bought solutions and hello to a natural, effective, and budget-friendly option. Your leather furniture will thank you with its timeless beauty.


Don't forget to comment below and share your experience using this DIY leather cleaner.

Charity
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 5 questions
  • Carol Stewart Carol Stewart on Nov 04, 2023
    I wonder if this could be used on faux leather?
  • Laura V Laura V on Nov 04, 2023
    Can this be used on suede?
  • Sheryl Turner Sheryl Turner on Nov 08, 2023
    Natuzzi leather warns against using a leather cleaner. Is this solution safe for that particular kind of leather?
Comments
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 3 comments
  • Nandini Nandini on Nov 03, 2023
    Can I clean a leather bag with this
  • Nevada S. Huaute Nevada S. Huaute on Nov 04, 2023
    Great idea, great recipe! Another add-in that your leather would like...glycerin! Either standard or vegetable glycerin will work. Glycerin is natural and not expensive, but is very protective of the leather. You can use 2 tablespoons glycerin and cut the oil down to one tablespoon...that's three tablespoons total, and that takes the place of the 1/4 cup of oil (3 tbsp. = 1/4 cup, just in case you're not a cook/baker! đŸ˜‰). You can also use it half & half with the oil...you might have to experiment a bit to see what works on your leather, as different finishing processes can have an effect on how it takes up various substances, and some leather is drier than others, subject to different conditions, etc. Good luck, and Happy Fall, y'all!
    • Ruth Gray Ruth Gray on Nov 04, 2023
      I'm replying to Nevada Huaute, I think (4) Tablespoons = 1/4 cup.
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