How to Clean Light Colored Leather
Regular cleaning will prevent dirt from accumulating on light colored leather. As a result, regular cleaning will enhance the durability of the leather and help cut back on future cleaning expenses. To clean light colored leather properly, you should avoid spills and areas with fluctuating temperatures. Use a toothpaste or ammonium hydroxide solution to scrub off scuffs.
Avoid spilling on light colored leather
If you have light colored leather furniture, it’s essential that you avoid spilling anything on it. Spills will ruin the look of your leather upholstery, so be sure to clean spills immediately. The best way to remove a spill is to dab it with a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing as this will only make the stain worse. You can also use rubbing alcohol or baking soda to clean stains on light-colored leather. And don’t forget to dust the leather furniture regularly to prevent dirt buildup.
Oils and grease are two of the most common causes of stains on light-colored leather. They not only stain the leather, but they also allow dirt to remain on the surface. Smoke is also oily and dark and will darken a light colored leather sofa. Likewise, normal cooking practices can leave flakes of oils and carbon on light-colored leather.
Avoid areas with fluctuating temperatures
Light colored leather needs to be cleaned more frequently than dark-colored leather. Typically, you should clean it once or twice per year. This type of leather shows stains and dirt more readily than dark-colored leather. While cleaning any leather type requires some care, light-colored leather is especially susceptible to stains. A clean surface will reveal small cracks and seams as well as the effects of dirt and oil.
Light-colored leather is particularly susceptible to staining from grease and oil. The oils in these materials help dirt adhere to the surface. Smoke is another cause of stains on light-colored leather. The carbon in smoke and the oils in the residue left by normal cooking will eventually stain light-colored leather.
Remove scuffs with toothpaste
One of the best ways to remove scuffs on light colored leather is by using toothpaste. It has abrasive properties that can be used on both full-grain leather and faux leather. You can simply apply the toothpaste to the affected area in circular motions and then wipe off with a damp cloth.
If you can’t find a special product, you can also use baking soda. It is widely available and can easily be found in toothpaste. It is a mild abrasive material that will help you remove stubborn scuffs on leather. When you apply the paste to the scuffs, rub the affected area gently with a clean cloth.
Avoid ammonium hydroxide
Ammonium hydroxide can be used to lift stains from leather, but you must use it in extremely weak solution, no more than three drops per litre of water. It may be safe to use, but you should never use it in combination with bleach, as it may cause damage to the leather. Instead, use an undiluted washing-up liquid. It can remove some stains, but it may also strip the dye.
Before using any chemical to clean light colored leather, it is essential to spot-test it on a small area of the leather item. This spot-testing can be done on the inside seams, under the hems, or in hidden areas. The test spot should be the same color as the item you are cleaning, or it should show no color at all.
Bleach breaks up the molecules of the dyes
Bleach is a chemical that breaks down light colored dyes by destroying the chemical bonds. This process is called saponification. The bleach solution can either be acidic or basic. If a basic is used, it will dissolve the lipids on the skin, converting them into soap. While this process may seem harmless at first, it can actually damage the body.
Bleach acts by releasing oxygen molecules from chromophores and changing the chemical structure of these molecules. The resulting chemical change makes the stains invisible to the human eye. Bleach can also be used to remove stains and create designs in fabric.
Avoid hydrogen peroxide
When cleaning light colored leather, it’s best to avoid hydrogen peroxide, which is a strong oxidizing agent and can permanently lighten the color. It’s also harmful to leather because it can strip it of natural oils. Therefore, it’s important to dilute hydrogen peroxide with water before using it on your leather.
You can make your own solution by mixing one cup of water with some mild hand soap. Using a clean sponge, gently scrub the leather, avoiding the top layers.
