How to Clean & Restore Old Leather Funiture

Old leather upholstered furniture is amazingly handsome despite its obvious wear. Like some people, leather seems to take on character as it ages even though it is creased and sometimes molded to the shape of its previous occupants. If leather upholstery is not torn, it probably can be cleaned and restored to function. It will not look exactly like new, but a new appearance is not necessarily desirable in old leather, and the comfort of an old piece will not be rivaled by newly manufactured goods.

Soft white rags
Bath soap or baby shampoo
White vinegar
Boiled linseed oil or neatsfoot oil
Rubbing alcohol
Non-acetone nail polish remover
Aerosol hairspray
Talcum powder or cornstarch
Vacuum cleaner

Instructions

- 1
  Dust the leather with a soft dry cloth and inspect it for damage. If it is ripped or torn, professional repair may be necessary. If it is simply worn, prepare to clean it thoroughly to remove accumulations of dust, grease and grime.
- 2
  Wash the leather with a solution made of warm water and very mild soap such as bath soap or baby shampoo. Be sure to wring the soft cloth soaked in soapy water nearly dry before applying to the leather. Excess water may stain if it remains wet for too long. Rinse any residue from the leather with clean water and allow to dry completely. Damp leather should not be exposed to direct sunlight, but it may be dried in the flow of dry air from a fan.
- 3
  Clean any stubborn areas of the leather upholstery with a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts boiled linseed oil or neatsfoot oil. Allow it to dry completely.
- 4
  Clean mold or mildew from old leather with a mixture of equal parts of rubbing alcohol and water, which will also eliminate the odor of mold. Clean ink from leather with non-acetone polish remover, and eliminate remove food stains using aerosol hair spray. Stubborn greasy stains may require the use of talc or cornstarch sprinkled onto the stain and allowed to stay for several hours before vacuuming off.
- 5
  Condition the old leather by wiping it with boiled linseed oil on a soft cloth. Do not soak the leather with the oil, and allow it to dry completely before buffing it with a clean, dry cloth. Use a commercial leather conditioner if preferred. Do not use the furniture until it is buffed and completely dry.

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