How To Remove Water Stains From Leather

Did you know that in around 3000 BC, Romans used leather for furniture, tents, and sails? Leather has been used globally and through the years due to its soft and luxurious appeal. This material is made from the hides of animals and treated to make furniture, shoes, bags, and other products. But leather is also porous and can easily absorb substances like water and oil that cause stains on your leather products. Getting these water stains out as soon as possible is important as they can damage and fade the leather. You should follow the steps given by end of lease cleaners Sydney, who will help you effectively remove and clean water stains from your leather. But first, it is good to understand what leather is made from and how it is treated to create your items so you understand the importance of keeping this leather clean.

What Is Leather Made From

Leather is one of the earliest and most popular discoveries by primitive man and this material has now become a global luxury business. The Leather and Leather Product Manufacturing industries in Australia has a market size of $368.3 million. But primitive men did not use leather as a luxury item but rather used it to protect themselves from the harsh elements of nature. Primitive men would hunt animals and use their hides to make shoes, clothing and tents to keep them safe. But over time, these animal hides were cleaned and treated to make different types of leather. Here are some ways animal hides are treated to create three varieties of leather.

How Different Types Of Leather Are Made

1. Aniline Leather

Once the hides are removed from cows, goats and pigs, it is tanned to produce aniline leather. All leather goods entering Australia must undergo basic tanning to be allowed in the country. The tanning process is natural, and no artificial dyes are added to treat this leather.

2. Semi aniline Leather

When aniline leather is treated slightly with dyes and substances, it is made into Semi aniline leather. These treatments alter the colour and softness of the leather slightly.

3. Pigmented Leather

Lastly, when aniline leather is treated with various dyes and substances, it becomes pigmented leather. The colour and texture of this pigmented leather can be modified, and can be made more durable.

If your leather products have water stains on them, always check the product’s label first to see what material it is and then use the natural solutions given below to clean these stains:

Removing Water Stains From Leather

1. Wipe The Water Stain As Soon As It Appears

When leather gets wet, the oils in the leather attach themselves to the water molecules. So, when the water evaporates, the oils from the leather also evaporate and thus weaken the leather quality and texture. This can also discolour and leave a permanent stain on your leather product.

So, the best way to minimise the damage when cleaning water stains is to remove the water as soon as you see the stain.

2. Use A Damp Cloth To Wipe The Stain

Next, you should use a microfiber cloth, dip it in water, and rub it over the stain. End of lease cleaners Sydney recommend that you use a white cloth so the dye does not rub off on the leather.

Also, ensure the cloth is damp but not too wet, so the water does not drip on your leather surface. Make sure the cloth is clean when wiping these stains as dirty cleaning tools makes your home dirtier.

3. Rub The Cloth In Circular Motions To Lighten The Stain

Now, using circular motions, rub the damp cloth from the edge of the stain towards the outer edges. This will moisten and remove the material from the stain. Ensure you do not apply too much force, as it could damage your leather. You must also use this dabbing method to remove grease stains from leather.

4. Let The Leather Surface Dry Naturally

You should let your leather dry naturally so the stain can wear out. If you feel the area has become damp, use a dry white cloth and dab it over the stain to remove the extra water. But ensure you do not use radiators or leave your leather in the sun, as the heat can fade and discolour your leather.

5. Apply A Leather Cleaner On The Water Stain

Next, end of lease cleaners in Sydney recommend you dip a white microfiber cloth in an equal mixture of warm water and white vinegar to clean and lift the stain. Rub the cloth in circular motions over the stain to add moisture to the area but do not dampen it. The acetic acid in white vinegar is powerful enough to attract and lift the stain without damaging the material.

6. Condition The Leather Surface With Baby Soap

Lastly, once the stain is out, you must condition the area to protect it from further damage. End of lease cleaners in Sydney recommend using the following steps to condition your leather surface:

Start by mixing a drop of vinegar with 2 cups of warm water.

Next, add a few drops of baby soap to this mixture.

Now, dip a white microfiber cloth in this solution.

Rub the cloth over your leather.

Let the area dry so the oils in the baby soap condition the surface.

If none of these processes work, you can look at the label to see what kind of leather it is and how it should be treated. You can even take it to a professional end of lease cleaner in Sydney to help get rid of these stains.

Tip

You can also clean coffee/tea stains from leather with these tips.

Conclusion

Leather products are beautiful and luxurious, and their texture and durability can differ depending on how they are treated and processed. Once you identify your leather type, you can clean water stains by using the above methods  to ensure that your leather remains clean and durable in the long run.