Automotive Academy

Homemade Recipes for Cleaning and Conditioning Leather:

Read ingredients in leather cleaners carefully. You will find that the ingredients are pretty common: olive oil, lanolin and Neat’s-foot oil (animal rendered oils) are generally used in commercial products. If your vehicle has leather seats, avoid hot, sunny parking spots and use a sun screen in front of your windows, or cover the seats with a blanket to protect the leather.  Spot cleaning, dusting and using a protective spray will increase the life of the leather.

For full cleaning and conditioning, try this mixture:

• 1 part white vinegar
• 2 parts neatsfoot oil OR raw or food grade linseed oil
• Use a white lint free cloth to swirl on, leave overnight then buff for maximum shine.

Remove any mildew or mold on leather before starting with a regular cleaning. To remove mildew, try this inexpensive, easy recipe:

• 1 part rubbing alcohol
• 1 part water
• Spray on or use on a dampened cloth. Use a clean white lint free cloth and replace as it gets dirty. Avoid direct sunlight and allow to air dry. You may also turn on a fan and allow it to gently waft over the surface.

Removing Stains From Leather

It may be impossible to remove all stains from leather, depending on their origin. However, here are some simple cleaning tips that might help.

• Toothpaste straight on the stain, lightly scrubbed in and then wiped off.
• Try non-acetone nail polish remover wipes on ink stains.
• Aerosol hairspray works well on tough stains. Spray the hairspray directly on the stain and wipe away. This may take several swipes so keep at it.