Nappa leather is a type of genuine, top-grain leather that is often used in the making of high-end furniture and clothing. It is known for its softness and luxurious appearance.
However, there is one common question that people ask about Nappa leather: does it stain easily? In this article, we will explore the answer to that question and provide some tips on how to prevent staining.
Beyond its luxurious appearance, Nappa leather is a full-grain leather which means it is can stain if it is not properly protected or if it is exposed to moisture. In fact, any type of leather can stain if it is not properly taken care of.
The best way to prevent staining is by using a good-quality leather protector and conditioning cream on a regular basis.
In the rest of this article, I’m going to talk more about what causes Nappa leather to stain, how to remove stains from Nappa leather, and how you can prevent staining on your Nappa leather goods.
Why Does Nappa Leather Stain?
There are a few reasons why Nappa leather can stain. The most common reasons include;
The Nappa Leather May Not Be Protected
If you are using a leather protector on your Nappa leather goods, you might be able to prevent staining on your Nappa leather.
However, if the protective coating has worn off over time or been damaged by water then it could lead to stains showing up more easily.
This is usually the case when you don’t have a good-quality leather protector and conditioner in your possession.
Nappa Leather Is Constantly Exposed To Moisture
If Nappa leather is exposed to moisture, it could cause stains that are hard to remove. It might seem like an obvious statement but it is worth mentioning that all types of leathers can stain if they are exposed to direct moisture.
If your Nappa leather is constantly getting wet because it is outside in the rain or snow, then there will be a good chance that stains will show up over time on the material.
You May Not Be Cleaning Your Nappa Leather Properly
Cleaning your Nappa leather properly is another way to prevent staining from happening. If you are not using the correct products or if you are not cleaning them on a regular basis then it could lead to some unsightly stains appearing over time.
I find that the best way to clean Nappa leather is by using a damp cloth and some mild soap. This way you do not risk using chemicals that could cause damage to the material.
The Nappa Leather May Not Have Been Properly Conditioned
You can also use a good-quality conditioner on your Nappa leather to prevent staining. If the leather is not conditioned properly, it can become dry and brittle, which could lead to cracking and staining.
I usually recommend using a conditioner at least once a month if you are using Nappa leather in high-traffic areas or Nappa leather that sees a lot of wear and tear.
Things That Can Stain Nappa Leather
1. Water
The first thing you need to know about Nappa leather is that it is full-grain leather. This means the surface of the material has not been sanded or buffed, which makes for an extremely soft and luxurious feel but also one that can stain easily if it comes into contact with moisture.
If you have ever used any type of leather conditioner on your Nappa leather goods, you’ll notice how quickly it soaks up the liquid.
This same thing happens if you spill water or another liquid on your Nappa leather furniture or clothing and don’t wipe it off immediately; over time, these liquids will soak through the surface layers of material causing discoloration as well overall darker color to the leather’s appearance.
Also, exposure to rain and snow can cause water stains on your Nappa leather goods. As the water droplets sit on the surface of the material, they will eventually evaporate but along with them, will take some of the colors from the leather as well.
2. Chemical Cleaners
Another common thing that causes Nappa leather staining is the use of chemical cleaners. Many people think that using a cleaner like Windex, 409, or other household cleaners will help protect their Nappa leather goods from staining.
Unfortunately, the chemicals in these types of products can actually cause stains to occur on the surface over time. It can actually cause discoloration over time (and potentially ruin some Nappa leather materials).
The best way to prevent Nappa leather from staining is by cleaning using a damp cloth and a mild soap. You can also use a leather cleaner or conditioner to help protect the surface of the material.
3. Sunlight
Sunlight is also another thing that can cause Nappa leather to stain. Sunlight can fade the color of your Nappa leather goods over time, and it has been known to cause discoloration as well.
This is because when you expose your Nappa leather goods to sunlight, it causes a chemical reaction that breaks down the fibers in the material.
This eventually leads to staining and discoloration as well as other damage over time. The best way to prevent this is by keeping your Nappa leather goods out of direct sunlight whenever possible (or at least limit their exposure as much as possible).
4. Body Oil
These include lotions, oils, makeup, dirt/grime, etc.) that transfer onto the surface of your Nappa leather goods when you wear them next to your body.
These can cause discoloration over time and eventually lead to staining if they are not cleaned off immediately after exposure or use.
The best way to prevent this type of stain is by cleaning your Nappa leather goods on a regular basis with a damp cloth (or another appropriate cleaner).
Also, if possible, you want to avoid direct body contact with your Nappa leather goods.
How to Remove Stains from Nappa Leather
The first step in removing stains is to identify what type of stain it is and then apply the appropriate cleaning solution. If you don’t know how to identify your stains, here’s some help:
Grease Stains
These usually appear as a yellowish stain on the surface of the Nappa leather and can be removed with water or dish soap. The dish soap will be able to remove the grease and the water will help to remove any of the soap residues.
The way you go about it is to;
- Mix equal parts dish soap with water in a small container or bowl and then apply the mixture to a damp cloth.
- You can either rub it on gently by hand, or use an old toothbrush if you need more scrubbing power.
- Rinse well after cleaning off any dirt/grime from your leather surface before applying some conditioner to prevent any future damage from occurring.
Oil Stains
These occur when oil has been spilled onto the Nappa leather surface and will appear as a dark brown or black stain on your furniture. To remove these stains, you’ll need to use an enzyme-based cleaner like Simple Green or Orange Glo.
- Mix the cleaner with water in a spray bottle (make sure not to dilute it too much) and then spray it directly onto your leather surface.
- The enzyme will break down the oil molecules and allow them to be easily wiped off with just a damp cloth.
- If you want, you can also use a toothbrush to help scrub at any of the tougher areas.
- Be sure to rinse off all of the cleaner with water before applying some conditioner to your leather furniture or goods.
Liquid Stains
These are often caused when you spill something liquid like water, coffee, tea, juice, etc. on your Nappa leather furniture or clothing.
- The best way to deal with liquid stains is by dabbing at them with a clean, dry cloth as soon as you can.
- This will help to absorb the liquid and prevent it from seeping further into the surface layers of the material.
- If the stain has already set in, then you can use a small amount of detergent or soap to help loosen it before dabbing at it with a cloth.
- Be careful not to use too much though, as this can end up causing more damage.
- Once you have removed the stain, make sure to dry the area thoroughly with a paper towel or cloth.
Ink Stains
Ink stains are sometimes the hardest to remove from Nappa leather.
- Start by using a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol.
- Rub the stain with short strokes.
- This method may remove some of the ink, but if not use an eraser or pencil eraser to gently rub away at the stain.
- You can also try using a dab of hairspray to clean the stain.
- Spray some onto a cotton ball and rub it on the stain. This can also help fade any remaining ink that may not be completely removed with rubbing alcohol or an eraser.
- Another method for cleaning stains from Nappa leather is using saddle soap.
- The saddle soap will help remove dirt and debris from the surface of the leather.
- It will also help fade any light stains that may be present on the surface.
Be sure to test any cleaning method you choose on a small, hidden area of your Nappa leather before applying it to the stained area. This will help ensure that you do not damage or discolor your leather.
Nappa leather is a beautiful, luxurious type of leather. It can be easily stained if not cared for properly. By following the tips above, you can help keep your Nappa leather looking its best!
Stains from Food and Drinks
Food stains are generally easier to remove than other types of stains because they are not as deep. However, different types of food can leave different types of stains.
For example, red wine can be difficult to remove because the stain is caused by a dye in the wine. Tomato sauce may be easier to remove because it is made up of natural acids that break down the proteins in the tomato juice.
- To clean a stain from food or drink, blot the area with a damp cloth.
- Do not rub it because this will just spread the stain and make it worse.
- Next, mix dish soap with warm water in a spray bottle until sudsy (about two teaspoons per cup).
- Spray this mixture onto the stained spot only and leave for about 15 minutes before blotting it dry with a clean cloth.
- If the stain is still visible, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with three parts water in a spray bottle and spritz the area.
- Leave for about five minutes before blotting it dry.
- You can also use baby wipes to clean food or drink stains from your Nappa leather.
As mentioned before be sure to test any cleaning method you choose on a small, hidden area of your Nappa leather before applying it to the stained area. This will help ensure that you do not damage or discolor your leather.
Nappa leather is a beautiful, luxurious type of leather. It can be easily stained if not cared for properly. By following the tips above, you can help keep your Nappa leather looking its best!
