Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Remove common stains with leather soap
• Method 2 of 4: Absorbing Oil Stains
• Method 3 of 4: Removing water stains
• Method 4 of 4: Removing ink stains
• Tips
• Warnings

Leather is used in the manufacture of many household items - furniture, bags and shoes - and it is not surprising that it gets dirty from time to time. Use leather soap to remove common stains. It is best to use cornstarch on oil stains, and ink stains can be removed with rubbing alcohol.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Remove common stains with leather soap

1. 1 Read the instructions for skin care. The instructions should say which cleaning agents should be avoided, as well as at what water temperature it is best to clean the product.
2. 2 Wipe the leather with a microfiber cloth. Remove all dirt and dust from the surface before applying any cleaning products to the skin. In particular, this applies to leather products that are often used outdoors, such as shoes or jackets. They collect more dirt and dust on themselves than products that do not leave the house.
3. 3 Dampen a clean cloth with water. Most leather goods do not tolerate water saturation, so try to use it very sparingly.Dip the cloth in clean water and then wring it out, making it barely damp.
4. 4 Rub the fabric with leather soap. Leather soap is also sometimes called saddle soap and can be used to remove common (or unknown origin) stains from the skin. Just rub the soap with a damp cloth.
5. 5 Wipe the blemishes on the skin. After lathering the fabric, rub it over the skin to create a lather. Do not rinse off the soap as this may damage your skin. Instead, rub the leather with a cloth to give it a shine.

Method 2 of 4: Absorbing Oil Stains

1. 1 Sprinkle cornstarch over the stain. Do this as soon as the oil comes in contact with your skin. It doesn't matter if it's salad oil or car oil.
2. 2 Rub cornstarch into your skin. Use your fingers to rub cornstarch into the stain. Soon, the cornstarch will heat up as a result of rubbing against the skin. This should reactivate the oil, making it easier for the cornstarch to absorb.
3. 3 Vacuum up the starch or simply shake it off your skin. Shake off any remaining starch with the palm of your hand. If the stain is very large, you will probably need a vacuum cleaner.
4. 4 Repeat the entire process again if necessary. Depending on the age of the oil stain and the amount of oil, you may need to repeat these steps several times to completely remove the stain. If after three or four tries the oil still remains on the skin, take the product to a specialist.
5. 5 Dry your skin with a damp cloth. Once the stain is gone, wipe the skin with a slightly damp cloth to remove any cornstarch residue.

Method 3 of 4: Removing water stains

1. 1 Fill a bowl with warm water. Water that is too cold or too hot can discolor the skin, so it is best to use water at room temperature. The amount of water needed depends on the size of the stain, but there should be enough water to cover the entire garment.
2. 2 Dip a clean, soft sponge into the bowl. Dip a sponge into a bowl of warm water and then squeeze as much water out of it as possible. The only way to remove water stains from your skin is to use more water, but not too much, so as not to damage the skin.
3. 3 Moisturize your skin. Wipe the surface of the skin with a damp sponge, moving from the center of the spot to the outside edge. Do not rub your skin or you will ruin it with water.
4. 4 Don't hesitate. Wipe the entire skin surface as soon as possible. If the skin dries unevenly, a new water stain may form on the skin.

Method 4 of 4: Removing ink stains

1. 1 Dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol. Squeeze it out a little so that the alcohol does not drain off when you handle the leather.
   • If the ink stain is larger than a few pen marks, use a clean rag instead of a cotton pad. Stains of this size may also need professional cleaning.
2. 2 Wipe the stain gently. Lightly press a cotton ball into the ink stain and gently wipe it off. Check the surface of the stain every few seconds to make sure the ink is coming off the skin.
3. 3 Let the skin dry. After wiping off the ink stain with rubbing alcohol, let the skin dry. When the skin is dry, you will see if the ink is gone. If not, repeat the whole process again.

Tips

• To remove larger blemishes, you may need to seek the help of a professional who knows how to cleanse your skin and how to maintain its color.
• Apply leather conditioner to the garment after removing the stain.

Warnings

• Use only a lint-free cloth such as a microfiber cloth to wipe leather.
• If you do not tackle the stain right away, it can stick into the skin, after which only a specialist can deal with it. Deal with the stain on the skin as soon as it appears.