How To Wash Leather

Make sure to know how to wash leather before buying it or wearing it.  It is difficult to clean and can be ruined easily.  Leather is made from the hides of animals that have been tanned.  During the tanning process, the animal hides are softened, dyed, and protected.  Leather can be expensive so therefore, proper instructions on how to wash leather is needed. 

1.  Blot spills promptly with a soft, dry white cloth.  Make sure the cloth is white so the color won't bleed on the leather.
2.  To remove a stain, blot with a white dampened cloth with lukewarm water.
3.  Do not rub the spill.   This is an important rule to remember on how to wash leather. Rubbing in the spill will just make the stain bigger.
4.  Allow the leather to air dry.  Dryers will dry out the leather, causing more damage.  Remember to keep leather away from heating vents.  This will dry out leather also. Even the sun can harm leather, giving it spots from fading.
5.  If the stain is stubborn, and won't come out, take the leather to the dry cleaners.  Leather is not something that can be placed in the wash machine. When stains or spills cannot be taken out following these instructions, always take it to the dry cleaners for proper care.

Never use soaps, detergents, or oils to wash leather.  There are a few commercial leather cleaners on the market. There are sprays to protect the leather and dry micro fiber cloths to maintain leather.  Whenever there is doubt on how to wash leather, leave it to the professionals and take the leather to the dry cleaners.