Add soap on a slightly damp cloth and foam it up. Then, gently rub it over your couch. Wash the cloth throughout the process to remove dirt and grime. Once done, remove all the foam with another cloth.
Dove soap can make your leather couch look new in just minutes!
That’s right! With this gentle moisturizing soap, you can clean your leather couch and revive the long-lost shine. Unlike harsh cleansing products, Dove soap won’t spoil the surface of your leather couch.
On the contrary, you can clean and moisturize your leather couch with a damp cloth and some Dove soap. Once you’re done cleaning, take another damp cloth and scrub it over the leather to remove any residue.
Lastly, use a clean, dry cloth, wipe any leftover moisture, and apply a leather conditioner.
Below, I will share a step-by-step cleaning guide. I will also teach you how to make your leather conditioner, so let’s get right into it!
Can You Clean Leather With Dove Soap?
Leather, a sensitive material, requires extra care while cleaning.
Couches made of leather easily collect dust, so they should be cleaned regularly. Most leather couch owners clean their leather couches with different soaps, such as Dove.
They prefer Dove soaps because of their neutral pH of 7.
Other leather couch owners use white vinegar or baking soda instead of soaps. They’re both very common household products with alkaline natures.
However, I highly suggest using Dove soaps for cleaning leather because they’re easy to use and available in bars and liquids.
Cleaning Leather Couch With Dove Soap: The Only Guide You Will Ever Need
Since Dove soaps have a mild pH level (similar to the skin), they’re perfect for cleaning leather furniture like leather couches.
If you have a leather couch that’s in desperate need of cleaning, follow these cleaning steps, and you will have your leather couch looking good as new in just minutes!
You will need a vacuum with a soft brush add-on, a few microfiber cloths, warm water, and a Dove soap for this task.
Step 1: Using Your Vacuum
First and foremost, vacuum off your leather couch with a soft brush add-on before you get on cleaning. That way, you will remove any dirt and debris from the corners and crevices that might make the whole cleaning process unnecessarily harder.
Step 2: Making A Cleaning Solution
Prepare your cleaning mix with some warm water and your Dove moisturizing soap. You can either use liquid soap or shavings from a soap bar until they completely dissolve.
Step 3: Dip Your Microfiber Cloth And Get Ready!
Dip one of your clean microfiber cloths into the cleaning mix and wring it out, so it’s damp instead of soaking wet.
Step 4: Get Cleaning!
Gently run the surface of your leather couch using circular motions. Tackle every part of your couch that you believe it’s dirty.
Step 5: Final Touches
Finally, dry the surface of your couch with another dry microfiber cloth and apply a leather conditioner. If you don’t have one at hand, I will teach you how to make a quick leather conditioner below!
How Often Should You Clean Your Leather Couch?
There’s no specific time when you should clean your leather couch, so wipe it off daily. That way, you will keep dust and debris at bay. You can also use a feather duster to clean hard-to-reach spots.
Other Soaps You Can Use For Cleaning Leather Couch
Aside from Dove liquid soaps or bars, you can also use Nivea and Pears. They’re also mild soaps that can help you clean your leather couch, so let’s look at each brand.
Nivea
Nivea soaps aren’t too acidic nor too alkaline. They’re neutral soaps, so they’re ideal for cleaning leather surfaces. In addition, Nivea soaps don’t hold a strong smell. Therefore, they won’t leave stains or smells after cleaning.
Pears
Pears soaps also make a great cleaning product for different leather surfaces because they’re pH-balanced with a mild fragrance. However, in my experience, they don’t leave a strong smell after cleaning.
Homemade Conditioner For Your Leather Couch
Making your conditioner for leather is a walk in the park! Just mix four teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice with 2 cups of water.
Both lemon juice and vinegar act as cleansing agents that quickly remove stubborn stains and marks caused by children, pets, or yourself.
How To Clean Different Types Of Stains On A Leather Couch
If you love leather, you probably own a handful of leather things like purses, couches, shoes, seats, etc. And they’re all at risk of staining.
If you just discovered a stain on your couch or other leather products, don’t panic! The following guide can help you tackle different stains, so take a look.
Important note: Always check the instructions from the manufacturer before you start cleaning.
Food Stains
You can easily remove food stains with non-acetone nail polish remover, baby wipes, or white toothpaste, however, before using any of these items, test on a small hidden spot to ensure that it’s not causing any damage.
You can also use leather wipes and leather cleaners for safety purposes.
Grease Stains
If you’re dealing with greasy stains, just sprinkle a generous baking soda on the affected area. Then, dust it off after some period.
Baking soda absorbs oil, so you should have a clean leather surface in no time. Finally, wipe with a damp cloth and kiss those nasty stains goodbye.
Stubborn Stains
Stubborn and dark stains on a light-colored leather couch sound like a nightmare.
And if you’re dealing with this nightmare, just rub those stains with equal parts of lemon juice and tartar cream.
Then, let it soak for about 10 minutes before rubbing off the stains with a damp sponge.
Permanent Marker Stains
Don’t panic right away if your child has scribbled something with a permanent marker on your leather couch.
You can easily remove permanent marker stains with some aerosol hairspray. Add some spray to the stains, let it soak for a few seconds, and wipe with a clean cloth.
Ballpoint Pen Ink Stains
If you notice a ballpoint pen ink stain on your leather couch, just take a cloth and soak one small part of it in eucalyptus oil. Then, run on the affected areas. If you don’t have eucalyptus oil at hand, use rubbing alcohol instead.
Mold And Mildew
If your pets or kids often spill things on your leather couch, mold and mildew creeping in hidden places is a risk. If you notice white spots on your couch, mix equal parts of water and rubbing alcohol and clean the affected area with it!
Other Stains
For any other stains, you can use Dove or mild dish soap.
Just mix 2-3 drops of soap with 2 cups of water. Then, dampen a clean sponge in this cleaning mixture, wring it out, and remove the stains.
Just make sure your coach doesn’t absorb too much water.
FAQs On Cleaning A Leather Couch With Dove Soap
Can I Expose My Leather Couch To Direct Sunlight?
Exposing your leather couch and other leather items to direct sunlight can dehydrate the material, causing cracking and discoloration. Therefore, keep your leather furniture at least 2-feet away from any heat source, such as direct sunlight, heating vents, and air conditioning sources.
How Often Should I Apply Conditioner To My Leather Couch?
Treat your leather couch with a natural moisturizer every couple of months to keep it in good condition. You can even make your leather conditioner by following the steps above and ensuring that your couch lasts longer!
Can Leather Couches Get Stained?
Leather couches can get stained very easily, so take immediate action even if you spill water on your leather couch! Soak any liquid spills with a cloth right away. Otherwise, they can seep into the dye and cause permanent stains.
