How to clean oil stains out of leather? Some easy and effective solutions

If you have spilled some oil or grease on your expensive leather garment, don’t worry we will be discussing how to remove oil stains from leather to get those stubborn oil stains out of your priced possession.

It’s always best to deal with spills immediately, when possible because dried-on stains are much more difficult to remove than fresh ones.

You can try rolling up the fresh stain in a dry towel, to absorb as much oil as possible in the very first place. Rubbing it gently with a little pressure will surely help cleaning stains out of leather.

Thicker oily items like mayonnaise and butter are comparatively easy to scrape off. Still, if thin oils like olive oil or oily curry are involved, they can penetrate further easily and will be more challenging to remove.

Before jumping into the cleaning process directly don’t forget to spot test the first, however, most of the methods and chemicals listed further in the article are very safe to use with leather. Just find the spot that is usually not visible, for instance under the hem or inside seam. Apply some chemicals on the spot with the help of a white cloth and wait for a few minutes, to see if any color change appears or if there is any color on the white cloth. If no such sign exists, then you are good to go with that chemical.

Some household products and remedies to clean oil out of leather

1.) Use leather conditioner

To make the stain less visible you can make the color of the leather even by applying leather conditioner. You can apply the conditioner with the help of a clean cloth and get the leather uniformly covered in oil, you can use linseed oil on leather, it’s a mink oil alternative (but we prefer mink oil), then wipe it off gently with the help of a clean cloth.

There is are chance that you will not be able to see the results instantly, but wait, let it soak the oil for a few days and you will see a better change.

If you don’t get the desired results you can repeat the process, but it could be that you will end up having your leather garment with a slightly darker shade. However, it’s still better than having something stained. Isn’t it?

2.) Use corn starch

Cornstarch can work wonders sometimes when it comes to oil stains as it absorbs oil faster than leather.

Sprinkle some cornstarch powder on the stain and gently blot it on the spot. Let it sit there for a few hours (say 2-3 hours).

Cornstarch will soak most of the oil. Now, clean the cornstarch gently with the help of a soft brush. Wipe the surface with a soft cloth.

Alternatively, you can also use talcum powder instead of cornstarch.

3) Use baking soda

If cornstarch doesn’t work, don’t worry. Make a solution 1 tablespoon baking soda and water.

Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and rub it gently on the affected area in a circular motion. It should get the oil out of the stain and your leather garment will again come to its former glory.

4.) Use mild dish soap

Mix some mild dishwashing soap with some cold water and make a mixture. Soap will cut through the oil and break it up.

Apply soap mixture on the affected spot with the help of a clean cloth. Just blot it with a cloth, don’t rub it. Rubbing will only spread it. Now, wipe it off lightly with a microfiber cloth.

Repeat the process if the stain persists.

Alternatively, you can also use saddle soap in place of dishwashing soap. Saddle soap is superior to dish soap as it will also keep the leather moisturized in the right amount.

5.) Use vinegar

White vinegar can remove stains and it also has some good leather conditioning properties.

Just mix some white vinegar with cold water. 1 tbsp of vinegar with 1 cup of cold water will be enough so that the corrosive nature of vinegar won’t affect the leather. Dip a clean cloth in it and dab the stain with it.

Wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Now, wipe it again with a dry cloth and allow them to dry slowly.

Buff the leather with a soft cloth after drying.

6.) Take professional help

If the stain is really bad and nothing seems to work then you should consider getting help from a professional leather cleaner. Though it is the most expensive way, leather garments also don’t come cheap, do they?

It is better to spend a few extra bucks for your priced possession than to regret it in the end. Especially if you have a branded leather garment or it’s valuable in another way.

Kindly do your research before sending them to cleaners, make sure that they have requisite experience with leather garments.

Preventive measure

Though spills and stains are inevitable sometimes you can still at least try to protect your costly leather garment by following some precautions-

1.) Always keep a napkin or a piece of cloth handy whenever you are having something that contains curry or oil. For instance oil from salad dressing. You can also use a mild cleaner if it is handy.

2.) Act quickly once the spillage has happened, that would minimize the chances of getting stained. Immediately blot it with a clean microfiber cloth and then with a damp cloth, dry it by wiping it with a dry cloth.

3.) Condition your leather garments regularly as conditioning not only moisturizes the leather but also provides much-needed protection. Moisturized leather will be less susceptible to oil stains.

Moreover, avoid keeping your leather items in direct sunlight or heat as it will make them dry, and dry leather is always hungry for oil and moisturizer.

4.) Leather protectors- There are plenty of good leather-protecting products out there, you should use them on your leather garments. They will help leather resist oil penetrating through it. But make sure that the product you buy is suitable for the type of leather you will use it on.

Bonus tips

1.) Make it a habit of reading care labels on any garment. Whether it’s leather or some other fabric always refer to the care guidelines from the manufacturer. It will also help you to know which type of material you are dealing with.

2.) Always test any cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it to the marked spot, and if in doubt, consult a professional.

3.) Do not use alcohol-based cleaners or degreasers on natural leather, as they may stain your fabric further, it may also leave alcohol stain on leather

4.) Treat the leather gently. Rubbing with a microfiber cloth or scrubbing it with a brush could damage the protective surface and leave your leather goods beyond repair.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article on how to remove oil stains from leather.

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