How to Clean Finished Leather
Although most leather furniture, luggage, and garments are 'finished' with a protective coating, that won't prevent the spots and stains of everyday use. Here's how to undo the damage.
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You Will Need
- Several clean, dry cloths
- A medium-sized bowl
- A mild liquid soap
- And some water
Steps
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Step 1
Check if your item is made of finished leather.
To check if your item is made of finished leather, lightly scratch it in an inconspicuous place—if the scratch is roughly the same color as its surroundings, it's finished leather.
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Make sure your product is made of finished leather before proceeding. If it's not, it can't be cleaned in this fashion.
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Step 2
Mix water & soap
Mix together the water and mild soap in the bowl.
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Step 3
Rub spots
Dip a cloth into the solution, and gently rub any nicks, spots or stains.
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To make sure your cleaning material won't change the color or look of your leather, test it first in an inconspicuous place.
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Step 4
Clean entire item
Now clean the entire item with the mild soap and water, using another cloth.
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Step 5
Wipe down
Wipe down the entire surface with a slightly damp cloth.
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Step 6
Dry item
Dry the item thoroughly with clean, dry cloths and voilà—good as new.
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Actor Ricardo Montalban made the phrase 'rich, Corinthian leather' famous while hawking the 1976 Chrysler Cordoba in a TV commercial.
