It’s easy to master how to clean leather sofa with baking soda because it only takes two steps. Did you know that baking soda is even effective for cleaning white leather sofa? This common household item can be beneficial for leather owners out there with proper usage.
We will teach you how to use baking soda correctly and remove tough stains like oil and grease on your leather couch. Furthermore, you will understand some potential risks of using this product. Answer your curiosity about the safety of DIY cleaning solutions below.
Can You Clean Leather Sofa With Baking Soda?
Baking soda is a safe household item that you can use for cleaning leather sofas. It is even helpful for stain removal because it soaks up the spills and prevents them from seeping deeper into the leather’s porous surface. To know more about how baking soda can become a stain removal, read this guide on how to remove stains from a white leather sofa.
Step 1. Let the baking soda sit on the sofa surface
You can use baking soda for cleaning a leather sofa as a pre-treatment. Start by wiping or vacuuming the couch to get rid of the dust and debris built upon the surface. Then, sprinkle baking soda all over the sofa and more liberally on the stained areas.
Let the baking soda sit on the couch for several minutes to draw out any oils or liquids. You can even rub in the baking soda on affected areas to help it absorb grease and oil. Then, wipe off the powder with a clean and dry cloth.
Step 2. Vacuum the baking soda off
Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush extension to remove the residual powder. Make sure to reach the crevices and tight spots of the sofa. If your sofa needs a deeper cleaning, you can clean it with a leather-safe solution afterward.
It’s essential to test a hidden spot of the sofa with the cleaner to check if it won’t damage the material. You can also make a homemade cleaning solution with water and vinegar and wipe the sofa. Finally, dry the couch with another cloth, and it should be cleaned thoroughly.
Can Baking Soda Damage Leather?
While baking soda can be effective as a stain remover, you must know what type of leather you have on the couch. It’s crucial to understand that the cleaning method and solution must be ideal for the specific leather type to avoid damaging the material.
If you’re unsure, you should test a small part of the leather couch with baking soda or any other type of cleaning solution. Keep in mind that leather is acidic between pH of 4.5 to 5.5. This range will ensure that the leather components remain and you prevent cracks or discoloration on the leather sofa.
What Is The Best Homemade Leather Cleaner?
Natural ingredients that you can easily find at home can be used to create a leather cleaning solution. They include mixing vinegar and olive oil or even cornstarch and lemon juice. However, you have to be careful when using any DIY cleaning solution.
Some ingredients might be incompatible with your leather couch type, primarily if the latter uses a more delicate material. It’s better to use a leather-specific cleaner or get your couch professionally cleaned. Regular wiping and vacuuming with the use of a slipcover would also be excellent to keep your couch from developing stains.
Does Vinegar Ruin Leather?
Vinegar is another popular ingredient for DIY leather cleaning solutions. It’s not surprising because vinegar is effective for stain removal, including tough drool stains on pillows. It should also be safe for leather as long as you test a small part of the couch first.
One of the potential drawbacks that vinegar can cause on a leather sofa is that it can be too drying due to being acidic. The couch might end up looking dull, and you need to restore it with the proper leather conditioner. You will have better peace of mind using a leather-specific cleaning solution if you don’t know the type of leather you have.
Can You Use Baby Wipes To Clean Leather Sofa?
It would be too risky to use baby wipes on a leather sofa. When cleaning a leather couch, you start vacuuming the dust build-up and then wipe off the residual grime with a damp cloth. Some people would use baby wipes, but it’s best to use leather wipes because the former might be too alkaline.
Remember that baby wipes may also have other ingredients and chemicals that can be detrimental to leather. A damp cloth using water should suffice for wiping a leather sofa instead of baby wipes.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance of the leather sofa is essential to keep it looking brand new. In this guide on how to clean leather sofa with baking soda, you will sprinkle baking soda on the couch and then vacuum it off after letting it soak the residues like oils on the surface. However, please always test a small part of the leather with baking soda.
Some leather types are delicate, and it would be best to get them cleaned with the appropriate solutions.