Leather Secrets...........

[W.S.]

So I got this great leather cleaning forula from a Leather professional. This formula is from one of the famous tannerys (whose name I don't know). I have used it with great sucess on leather in both European and Japanese vehicles (Honda, SAAB, BMW). It also works great for removing scuffs from the bottom of door panels. Here you go (remember this is supposed to be a secret):



3% Dish washing liquid (joy or others)

10% rubbing alcohol

87% Water



You don't need alot to clean an entire interior. I mix it in a 5 gal. bucket, and use a soft new kitchen sponge. I suppose you can spray it on, and rub it in. After dispersing the cleaner over the leather, use your sponge to softly rub to remove stains and oils. Once done use a towel to remove the excess. You can then condition with your favorite (I use lexol).



I like it because it is inexpensive and works well on not only leather, but leatherette/vinyl and plastics. It is really a multi-purpose cleaner.



Now that I have sghared the secret, pass it on.



Wade

 

[kapinnn]

I wonder if the soap has any negative long-term effect.

 

[W.S.]

I think using a soft sponge helps it only cut through the oils/stains that have accululated. I suspect using a brush would do some damage. Just after the cleaner the leather feels new again. Conditioning makes it feel softer, since it can get to the leather, past all the oils on the surface.



Wade

 

[kapinnn]

What Rubbing Alcohol does it suggest? I got different concentrations of Isopropyl Alcohol ranging from 50-90% I'm gonna give it a try. Seems pretty cheap

 

[W.S.]

I forget what I used, but if your leather is really soiled, I would go for a higher %.

 

[ThEGuN1]

Great tip!

 

[pwaug]

So I got this great leather cleaning forula from a Leather professional. This formula is from one of the famous tannerys (whose name I don't know). I have used it with great sucess on leather in both European and Japanese vehicles (Honda, SAAB, BMW). It also works great for removing scuffs from the bottom of door panels. Here you go (remember this is supposed to be a secret):



3% Dish washing liquid (joy or others)

10% rubbing alcohol

87% Water



You don't need alot to clean an entire interior. I mix it in a 5 gal. bucket, and use a soft new kitchen sponge. I suppose you can spray it on, and rub it in. After dispersing the cleaner over the leather, use your sponge to softly rub to remove stains and oils. Once done use a towel to remove the excess. You can then condition with your favorite (I use lexol).



I like it because it is inexpensive and works well on not only leather, but leatherette/vinyl and plastics. It is really a multi-purpose cleaner.



Now that I have sghared the secret, pass it on.



Wade

Woolite mixed 6 to 1 with water also makes a great, inexpensive interior cleaner for all surfaces and very safe for leather. I believe a number of high end auto manufacturers even metion it in their owners manuals.

 

[BlackElantraGT]

Woolite mixed 6 to 1 with water also makes a great, inexpensive interior cleaner for all surfaces and very safe for leather. I believe a number of high end auto manufacturers even metion it in their owners manuals.

When I helped someone deliver a brand new Lexus LS 460L to the buyer of the car, on the leather seat was a manufacturer tag and on that tag were the care instructions and it instructed to use a mixture of woolite and water also.

 

[ThEGuN1]

That is also another great cleaner!

 

[FitSport]

I like it because it is inexpensive and works well on not only leather, but leatherette/vinyl and plastics. It is really a multi-purpose cleaner.

I'll definitely give this a try next week or so. Thanks. I do have to ask, is this formula good for upholstery as well in combination with a wet/dry vac?

 

[W.S.]

I'll definitely give this a try next week or so. Thanks. I do have to ask, is this formula good for upholstery as well in combination with a wet/dry vac?

I don't know. I do not own a wet/dry vac. I don't think is is strong enough to get srains out of uphulstry, but for removing body oils I don't see why not. Remember it is from a leather tannery, not Meg's or Armor All.

 

[imported_Jakerooni]

A magic eraser works wonders on leather as well. Super cheap and highly highly effective.

 

[rafimos]

as a cleaner this sounds good...and mix that with some decent leather conditioner it shouldnt have any negative long term effects i wouldnt think

 

[AuAltima3.5]

Why rubbing alcohol? I am weary of that one. Is it to "open" up the leather? I think that for the most coated leather this won't do alot in the aiding absorbtion.



I have been using a similar "technique". I throw in a few squirts of dish soap into a bucket of water. Been doing it for a year and the leather seems ok. Follow up with conditioner and done.