How to Remove Human Oils Off Leather

Finished Leather

• 1

  Sprinkle talcum powder over the oil stain. Let it sit overnight to give the talcum powder time to pull the oil from the leather.

• 2

  Sweep the talcum powder off the leather in the morning, and throw it away.

• 3

  Mix three drops liquid dish soap with 1 cup water.

• 4

  Rub the soapy water over the stain until it is gone.

• 5

  Rinse the leather, and immediately dry it with a clean cloth. Never let leather air dry as this will encourage it to dry out and crack; it may also leave water marks on the leather.

Unfinished Leather

• 6

  Sprinkle cornstarch over the oil stain.

• 7

  Brush the cornstarch into the suede with a clean and dry toothbrush.

• 8

  Let the cornstarch sit overnight to give it time to soak up the oil.

• 9

  Discard the used cornstarch.

• 10

  Blot a leather degreaser directly on the human oil stain on the unfinished leather. Work from the edges of the stain, and apply as much as needed to remove the stain. Use a degreaser designed specifically for unfinished leather.