How to Remove Bad Odor from Leather: 8 Steps (with Pictures)

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How to Remove Bad Odor from Leather: 8 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Remove Bad Odor from Leather: 8 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Remove Bad Odor from Leather: 8 Steps (with Pictures)

Video: How to Remove Bad Odor from Leather: 8 Steps (with Pictures)
Video: 6 Quick, Easy Ways to Remove Bad Smells from Leather | How to remove bad odor from leather Sofa 2024, March
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Leather is a material made from dyed animal skin and used to make jackets, furniture, shoes, bags, belts and many other products. While it's quite durable, it's harder to clean than natural or synthetic fibers. The leather flower can pick up strong smells such as smoke, food odor, sweat, perfume, mildew, or the "new smell" of the dyeing process. Removing these odors from the material can take a little trial and error; if in doubt, you can always take the leather for a professional cleaning and avoid damaging the item.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Using homemade solutions

Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 1
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 1

Step 1. Dry the wet leather immediately

If the material is damp or appears to be covered in mold or mildew, you need to remove moisture quickly as it can permanently damage the leather and leave a very difficult odor to remove. There are several simple methods to dry the material:

  • Place it in a place in the house that receives indirect sunlight. Direct contact with sunlight can cause leather to crack, chip and wear out. Choose a space in front of a window that filters sunlight or behind a screen.
  • Use a dryer at a low temperature. Avoid placing it too close to the leather, or it could cause the material to crack or splinter. Run the dryer from a distance over the leather to dry out moisture and prevent large water stains from forming on the material.
  • Use a clean, dry cloth to dry the leather, especially if you're trying to treat a pair of shoes, jacket, or purse. Avoid alcohol-based or odor-masking products, such as perfume, and use a cloth to clean the item. Chemical substances from the products mentioned above can enter the pores of the leather and perhaps damage the object.
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 2
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 2

Step 2. Wrap the leather in newspaper or kraft paper

The porous quality of newspaper and kraft paper makes both great for absorbing bad smells in your leather item. Always make sure the object is completely dry and use dry newspapers. The loose fiber of newspapers makes them softer and more absorbent than other options like bond paper.

  • Crush several sheets of newspaper into a box and place the leather item inside the newspaper. Close the box and leave it that way for a day or two.
  • Check the leather item to see if the newspaper did absorb the bad smell. It may be necessary to leave the object in the newspaper for another day.
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 3
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 3

Step 3. Clean the leather with a vinegar solution

The acid in vinegar will help counteract bad odors, and its own smell, which might be considered unpleasant by some people, will also disperse along with the other odors in leather.

  • Before using any acid-based cleaners on the leather item, test it to ensure that the material will not fade. Mix equal parts of white distilled vinegar and water. Choose a very small area of the item and apply the vinegar solution to it. If no stains or cracks appear on the leather, continue cleaning with the vinegar solution.
  • Use a clean cloth to wipe the vinegar solution on the leather surface.
  • You can also use a spray bottle to spread the solution and then wipe it off with a cloth.
  • If it smells really bad, you can try soaking the leather item in the vinegar solution for five to ten minutes. Thoroughly dry the object after that so that it doesn't become moldy or moldy.
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 4
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 4

Step 4. Seal the leather in a baking soda solution

This substance is great for absorbing bad odors and safe to use on leather. You will need the baking soda and either a pillowcase or a zipper bag large enough to accommodate the item to be cleaned.

  • Place the leather item in the pillowcase or zipper bag. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the leather surface. You can also drop baking soda inside the leather item to remove the smell from the inside of the item.
  • Tie the end of the pillowcase or close the plastic bag and leave the item on the baking sheet overnight or for twenty-four hours.
  • Remove the baking soda using a small vacuum cleaner or a clean cloth. Scrub the powder carefully to avoid scratching the leather.
  • Repeat the process until the bad smell comes out.
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 5
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 5

Step 5. Allow the leather to age to reduce the smell over time

Because of the nature of leather, the odors absorbed by this material, from the cigarette to the "smell again" coming from the dyeing process, will weaken over time. Instead of trying to mask them with perfume or odor-masking agents, which will actually increase the time it takes for the smell to come out, use the leather item heavily. If you can stand the odor, wear your jacket, put on your shoes, or use your bag every day to help the leather age.

The aging process will also soften the leather, opening its pores and releasing the bad smell

Method 2 of 2: Using Professional Products

Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 6
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 6

Step 1. Buy a leather cleaner

You can find professional leather cleaning products at local specialty stores or even at your shoemaker. Always use a cleaner made specifically for leather on the item.

You will need to use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the leather clean. Most products help remove odors, preserve the material's color and shine, and protect it from cracking

Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 7
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 7

Step 2. Moisturize the leather item

You should always moisturize leather goods after cleaning to help remove odors and maintain the material's color and shine. There are several options for moisturizing leather:

  • High Quality Linseed Oil: This is a natural oil that is very effective in moisturizing clothing and other leather items. Avoid using cheap oil as it will not be very effective. Use a cloth to massage the linseed oil onto the surface and allow it to be absorbed into the material.
  • Shoe Polish: The oldest method of moisturizing leather is also one of the best. Use liquid polish on shoes, jackets and leather bags. You can also use canned polish on boots and shoes. If you're cleaning natural leather, buy a polish with carnauba wax and natural ingredients.
  • Professional Leather Conditioner: This product can be purchased at your local home improvement store. Many conditioners come in a spray; you spray the product on the surface and the chemical agents penetrate the pores of the leather. The conditioner then removes odors and helps make the material shine.
  • Avoid using saddle soap on the leather item. It will require a lot of rinsing and may leave the material with a streaked appearance or a sticky surface.
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 8
Get Bad Smells out of Leather Step 8

Step 3. Consider having the item cleaned and conditioned by a professional

If the odor resists homemade solutions or even an ordinary leather cleaner, maybe it's time to take it to a shoemaker and see if it can be professionally cleaned and moisturized. Depending on the leather item and the severity of the smell, the cost of cleaning can be low.

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