Leather sofas exude royalty, yes. But here's the deal, to keep that luxurious vibe going, you’ve got to take good care of it. Leather sofas, just like anything else, can get a little dirty over time. Regular sofa cleaning is key, and it’s equally important to do so without damaging the leather. So, let’s find out how to clean leather sofas at home.
Before You Begin
Do a quick check to see if your leather sofa is still covered by warranty before you contemplate how to clean sofa stains. This is a crucial step to steer clear from accidentally voiding it. Now, when it comes to giving your furniture a little TLC, here are some friendly reminders:
- Ammonia or substances containing bleach are an absolute no-no, as they can completely ruin the leather.
- Avoid the use of sanitising wipes or sprays, as they can mess up that sleek leather finish. This is a crucial point to note when you’re sofa cleaning at home itself.
- Be mindful of water – too much can make a mess. Stick to slightly damp rags instead of going all-in with a wet cloth. Your couch will thank you.

How To Clean Leather Sofa At Home
When it comes to leather sofa cleaning, a recent stain can be easily tackled with a leather cleaner or even some mild dish soap mixed with water. But when you’re dealing with old, untouched stains, that’s when the real challenge comes, and you might need some heavy-duty supplies.
Also, keep in mind that different stains call for different tactics when it comes to sofa cleaning at home. Take a look at the different kinds of stains that can pop up on your leather couch and some handy tips to deal with them.
Water Stains
Wondering how to clean leather sofa at home if you happen to spill water on your leather couch and it dries? You might end up with unsightly ring marks. Plus, if the couch soaks up the moisture, you might even spot more discolourations.
So, the key here is to act fast and grab a dry cloth or tissue to soak up the liquid as soon as you can. Once that’s done, give this nifty DIY leather sofa cleaning trick a shot.
You’ll need:
- Microfibre towel
- Leather conditioner
- Distilled Water

Start the sofa cleaning process by grabbing a soft microfibre cloth. It needs to be slightly moistened with distilled water. Give those stain marks a gentle rub-down until they vanish – it might take a few rounds.
Next, let your leather sofa air dry. You can speed it up with the ceiling fan if you’d like.
Finally, apply a generous helping of leather conditioner to bring back its smoothness after the sofa cleaning process is done.
Tea & Coffee Stains
Now, you may wonder how to clean sofa at home with coffee and tea spills. They can really mess up your leather couch, giving it a scruffy look. So, you have two options: either grab the best leather stain remover or get a bit creative with some household tricks to make your sofa look as good as new.
You’ll need:
- Water
- Vinegar
- Leather sofa cleaning liquid
- Clean towel
- Leather conditioner

Grab a clean cloth, dip it into a solution of soapy water (mix water with dishwashing soap) and gently wipe off the stain area. Sofa cleaning at home must start with this step immediately after coffee or tea has been accidentally spilled.
In case the tea/coffee stain has dried up, gently blot it with a cloth dampened with a combination of water and vinegar.
Next, wipe the surface once the stain disappears. Make sure you do this with a cloth dampened in water, and don’t forget to treat the upholstered piece once it’s all dried up.
Oil/Grease Stains
Sometimes, you might accidentally spill food on your leather sofa, or your body’s natural oils might decide to leave their mark. Such greasy stains aren’t a pretty sight, and can really mess up the appearance of your leather couch. If you’re eager to discover how to clean leather sofa materials when it comes to oil stains, here’s a simple solution.
You’ll need:
- Microfibre towel
- Soft-bristled brush
- Leather sofa cleaning liquid
- Water
- Baking soda/talcum powder
- Leather conditioner

To start off with the sofa cleaning – first, gently absorb as much oil or grease as you can with a microfibre cloth.
Next, take some baking soda or talcum powder (cornstarch may also work), and sprinkle it over the greasy spot to tackle any leftover oil stains. Let that powder sit for a bit, overnight if you can wait, and then just brush it off with a soft-bristle brush.
Once the oil has dissipated, grab a damp cloth and douse it in a mixture of leather cleaner and water. Make sure you give the area a thorough wipe-down. Allow the cushion to air dry, and for the finishing touch, rub in some conditioner.
Wine Stains
Spilling wine on your leather furniture can totally damage it. To make your leather sofa look spectacular again, you have to figure out how to clean leather sofa materials the right way. Here’s one way.
You’ll need:
- Microfibre towel
- Paper towel
- Water
- Soft sponges
- Mild soap/Leather sofa cleaning liquid
- Leather conditioner

Grab a paper towel and slap it down on the wine spill to soak it up. Next, mix mild soap with water, dip a sponge into the solution, and squeeze out any excess liquid. With this, lightly scrub away at the wine stain until it’s gone.
Once the stain has been taken care of, grab a clean microfibre towel. Then, get it a little damp with water. Make sure to give the whole area a good wipe-down.
Lastly, allow the leather sofa to naturally air dry. Don’t forget to apply a good amount of leather conditioner once you’ve completed the sofa cleaning process.
Ink Stains
Spilling ink on your leather couch might not be the best situation to get into, but it’s a common accident. Check out this remedy for sofa cleaning at home, to help you kiss those ink stains goodbye.
You’ll need:
- Rubbing/Isopropyl Alcohol
- Cotton Balls
- Clean towel
- Leather conditioner

Get rid of those pen marks on your leather sofa by swiping some isopropyl alcohol on the stain with a cotton ball. Once the stain disappears, just give the area a quick wipe with a damp cloth and let it air dry.
Acetone is a good alternative to have handy if the stain remains stubborn. Just take some on a cloth and with a dabbing motion, give the area a quick wipe. After the leather has dried, be sure to apply a leather conditioner to restore its shine.
Conclusion
Sofa cleaning at home can be a breeze as long as you take your time and use the right products. Don’t forget to stick to whatever the manufacturer suggests. Wondering how to clean sofa surfaces with these remedies without making a blunder?
Just give any of these new cleaning tricks a try in some hidden corner first (to be on the safe side). With a little TLC, your leather couch can stay looking impeccable and last for years to come.
Enjoyed reading this, but wondering how to clean sofa sets that are fabric? There are some nifty tricks to do that too!