If you’ve got milk stains whether on your leather car seats, leather shoes, couch, or handbag, never fear! I’m here with 5 different but easy ways to get milk stains out of your leather goods.
Method 1: Using A Leather Cleaner
The first way to remove milk stains is to use a leather cleaner. This is probably the number one go-to solution for getting milk stains out of leather – a leather cleaner.
Leather cleaners can be bought from most supermarkets or hardware stores, and they come in both liquid, solid, and I have even seen some in foam varieties.
It is very effective because it does not only remove the milk stains but it can also help to remove the funky smell milk leaves behind.
And of course, it is also the best solution if you have some money to spend and you want to eliminate all the guesswork.
Make sure to test the cleaner on an inconspicuous part of your leather item before you start scrubbing at the milk stain, as some cleaners may cause discoloration. To use a leather cleaner to remove milk stains from leather, here are the steps you have to follow;
Things Needed:
- Microfiber Cloth
- Cleaning Brush
- Paper Towels
- Leather Cleaner
- Clean Water
Procedure:
Step 1: Pat All Excess Milk Residue
- If the milk stains are fresh, the first step is to gently pat all the excess milk residue off the leather.
- You can use some paper towels to do this.
- You do not want to be rubbing at the milk stains as this will only make them worse.
Step 2: Load Your Leather Cleaner Onto Your Microfiber Cloth Or Cleaning Brush
- Dampen your cleaning brush lightly with clean water and shake it off.
- Squeeze a small amount of leather cleaner onto your leather cleaning brush.
- Do not put too much leather cleaner as you do not want it running off the brush and going onto other parts of the leather.
- The brush is perfect if you want to give the stain a gentle scrub.
Step 3: Scrub The Milk Stain
- Start to gently scrub at the milk stain in a circular motion.
- Make sure to apply some pressure as this will help loosen the dirt and residue.
- Continue until the entire stain on the leather surface is covered in soap lather.
Step 4: Rinse The Soapy Lather Away
- Dampen your microfiber cloth with clean water and start to rinse the soapy lather off.
- Make sure to rinse the microfiber between each wipe to remove all the soap.
- You don’t want any soapy residue left on your leather as this will only cause it to deteriorate and age prematurely.
- Just make sure to rinse all the soap residue away as you do not want it to dry on the leather and cause any damage.
- As you rinse, check if the stain is gone. If it is not gone, repeat step 2 and 3 until you’re happy with the results.
Note: Except for your leather cleaner also contains conditioning agents, you only use a dry clean cloth to wipe the soap residue leaving behind the conditioning oils. You don’t have to rinse with water.
Step 5: Condition The Leather
- If your leather cleaner does not contain any conditioning agents, it is important to conditioner the leather at this point.
- Apply a thin layer of leather conditioner on a clean dry cloth.
- Gently rub the conditioner into the leather in a circular motion.
- Make sure to apply it evenly and not just on the milk stain.
Step 6: Dry Leather Thoroughly
- Once you have finished cleaning and conditioning the leather, it is important to make sure that it is completely dry before you use it again.
- You can simply air dry it.
- Never use any heat source or sunlight to dry your leather.
- Make sure to keep an eye on the leather as you don’t want to over-dry it and cause any damage.
- Done!
Method 2: Using Dish Soap Or Baby Shampoo
The next method you can try to remove milk stains from leather is using dish soap or baby shampoo.
This method is awesome because it is very affordable and you do not have to spend anything to when it comes to this method.
It is affordable because chances are you already have a mild dish soap sitting on your kitchen sink. Or you already have some baby shampoo that you can use as well.
To use this method, here are the steps you have to follow:
Things Needed:
- Microfiber Cloth
- Paper Towels
- Mild Dish Soap or Baby Shampoo
- Clean Water
Procedure:
Step 1: Dab All Excess Milk Residue
- If the milk stains are recent, start by gently dabbing off any extra milk residue from the leather.
- While paper towels work great, you can also use a microfiber cloth.
- And remember, you do not want to be rubbing at the milk stains as this will only make them worse.
Step 2: Mix The Soap Solution
- Put a tablespoonful dish soap into a bowl of water and swish until it dissolves.
- Or you can use a few drops of baby shampoo in a bowl of water.
Step 3: Apply Soap Solution To Leather
- Dip your microfiber cloth into the soapy water, wrink it out and use the foam to apply it to the milk stain.
- You want to make sure that the entire stain is covered with soap solution.
- And gently scrub the stain in a circular motion.
Step 4: Rinse The Soapy Lather Away
- With a clean, damp microfiber cloth, wipe the soap residue until they are gone.
- Make sure to rinse the cloth between each wipe.
- You don’t want any soap residue left on your leather.
- As you rinse, examine the stain for any change.
- If the milk stain isn’t gone, repeat steps 2 and step 3 until it is completely removed.
Step 5: Condition The Leather
- Now that the milk stain is gone, it is important to conditioner the leather.
- Apply a thin layer of leather conditioner on your leather item using a clean microfiber cloth.
- Apply the leather conditioner as evenly as possible.
Step 6: Allow The Leather Item To Air-Dry
- Finally, allow the leather item to air-dry completely before using it again.
- Also, remember, never use any heat source or sunlight to dry your leather.
- Voila!
Method 3: Using Baking Soda
Another effective way to remove milk stains from leather is by using baking soda. This approach is very simple and you only need a few supplies that you might already have at home.
Baking soda contains powerful enzymes that can break down milk proteins. Baking soda also has absorbent properties that will help to suck up any moisture left on the leather.
This is particularly helpful for milk stains on leather car seats, leather couches, and any leather item with some form of padding or cushioning.
It also helps that the baking soda method can help to deal with small milk stains if you do not want to get your leather wet or messy.
Things needed:
- Baking Soda
- Vaccuum Cleaner
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1: Soak Up Fresh Milk Stains
- If the milk stains are fresh, start by using a paper towel to soak up any excess milk.
- Make sure to remove any excess milk.
- Make sure the milk stain is almost dry before moving on to the next step to avoid the baking soda from hardening when you sprinkle it on the leather.
Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda On The Milk Stain
- Take a pinch of baking soda and sprinkle it over the milk stain.
- You want the baking soda to cover the entire surface of the milk stain on the leather.
Step 3: Wait 20-30 Minutes Minimum
- Wait 20-30 minutes minimum. You can also give it a couple of hours for the baking soda to work its magic if you have the time.
- The enzymes in the baking soda will help to break down the milk proteins while the absorbent properties will help to suck up any moisture left on the leather.
- Not only that, it will also breakdown any odor-causing molecules.
Step 4: Vacuum The Baking
- After the allocated time, vacuum the baking soda off the leather.
- Make sure to use the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner to get into all of the nooks and crannies of the leather where the baking soda might have been missed.
Step 5: Wipe The Leather Surface
- Use a completely water-damp microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of the leather.
- Make sure the cloth is completely damp not wet.
Step 6: Air-dry
- Once you’re satisfied with the results, air-dry your leather item.
Step 7: If The Milk Stain Is Not Gone…
- If after vacuuming the baking soda, the milk stain is not gone, then repeat steps two and three until all of the mik stain is removed.
- Fin!
Method 4: Using White Vinegar
If you’re looking for a more natural way to remove milk stains from leather, then white vinegar is a good option.
White vinegar contains acetic acid which can break down the milk proteins and help to remove the stain. It also has antibacterial properties that can help to get rid of any lingering odor.
Vinegar is also a cost-effective way to remove milk stains from leather if you do not want to spend money on buying a leather cleaner.
Things needed:
- White Vinegar
- Water
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1: Mix White Vinegar And Water In A Bowl
- In a bowl, mix together white vinegar and water in equal parts.
- Make sure to mix enough solution that will be able to cover the milk stain.
Step 2: Soak The Microfiber Cloth In The Solution
- Soak the microfiber cloth in the solution, wring out, and dab it on the milk stain.
- Do not scrub the leather as this can lift off some of the leather dye or colorant.
- Repeat until the white vinegar solution has thoroughly saturated the milk stain.
Step 3: Wait About 10 Minutes
- Wait for at least 10 minutes for the white vinegar to work its magic on the milk stain.
- The acetic acid in the vinegar will help to break down the milk proteins and remove the stain and odors.
Step 4: Wipe The Leather Surface With A Damp Microfiber Cloth
- Once the wait time is up, take a damp microfiber cloth and wipe the surface of the leather.
- Make sure to wring out the cloth so that it’s not dripping wet before wiping.
- You can follow up with a dry clean cloth to remove any remaining moisture from the leather surface.
Step 5: Conditioner Your Leather
- Finally, to help protect your leather and keep it looking good as new, apply a conditioner.
- There are many types of leather conditioners available on the market, or you can make your own at home.
- Follow the instructions on the conditioner to ensure that you’re applying it correctly and let the leather air-dry once you’re done.
- Finished!
Method 5: Using A Steam Cleaner
The steam cleaning method is pretty simple. All it involves is a good steam cleaner and some clean water.
If you’re someone who does not want to use cleaners or chemicals of any kind, then this is a good option for you.
This method will work perfectly for larger leather items such as sofas, chairs, or even car seats.
You will not have to worry about leaving behind any chemical footprint on your leather items and your leather items are going to be chemical-free like you would want.
Things needed:
- Steam Cleaner
- Clean Water
Procedure:
Step 1: Preheat Your Steam Cleaner
- Fill the steam cleaner with distilled water.
- Make sure to use cold distilled water for this method.
- Before starting, make sure to preheat your steam cleaner. This usually takes about 5-10 minutes.
- Make sure to start with the lowest heat setting and work your way up only if necessery.
Step 2: Apply The Steam To The Milk Stain
- Hold the steam cleaner about 12 inches away from the milk stain and apply it in a sweeping motion.
- Make sure to keep the nozzle moving so that you’re not applying heat in one spot for too long.
- Once the milk stain has been saturated with steam, allow it to cool for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3: Wipe The Leather Surface With A Dry Rag
- Once the milk stain has been removed or loosened by the steam, take a dry rag and wipe the surface of the leather.
- Make sure to use a gentle circular motion so that you’re not further damaging the leather.
Step 4: Conditioner Your Leather
- Finally, just like you usually do, apply a conditioner to your leather.
- Make sure you read the instructions on the conditioner so that you apply it correctly.
- Leather conditioners usually don’t require any waiting time so you can go ahead and buff it off and use your leather item right away.
- Finished!
Bonus Method: Baby Wipes
If you happen not to have any of the above-mentioned items, you can also try using a baby wipe to get milk stains out of leather. Baby wipes are gentle enough on the surface of the leather and will help to remove any milk residue without causing any damage.
Things needed:
- Baby Wipes
Procedure:
Step 1: Wipe The Baby Wipe Over The Milk Stain
- Gently wipe the baby wipe over the milk stain.
- Do not scrub or press hard on the leather as this can damage it.
Step 2: Check The Results And Repeat If Necessary
- Check to see if the milk stain has been removed. If not, repeat step one until all of the milk stain is gone.
Step 3: Finish Up
- Follow up by wiping the baby wipe over the entire surface area of the leather to remove any residue and give it a final clean.
- Finished!
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to get milk stains out of leather, you can confidently tackle those pesky spills and accidents.
But remember, if the milk stain is particularly stubborn, it might require a few tries of one of the methods before it’s completely removed.
So don’t get discouraged and keep trying until the stain is gone. Do well to test the method of your choice on an inconspicuous area of the leather before applying it to the stain itself. Happy cleaning! ????
