If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of spilling butter on your leather sofa, couch, or shoes, you know how difficult it can be to remove. Butter is a greasy substance that can easily stain fabrics, and leather is no exception. In this article, we will discuss three home remedies that you can use to get butter stains out of leather.
Butter Stains On Leather
There are various ways butter stains leather. One way is when the butter is melted and drips on the leather. Another way butter can stain leather is when it’s used as a lubricant while cooking, and some of it lands on the leather surface.
Foods or snacks such as popcorn, pizza, chicken, or French fries that have been cooked in butter can also leave a greasy residue on leather.
Regardless of how the butter got there, the good news is that most butter stains can be removed from leather if they are addressed promptly. The longer the butter sits on the leather, the harder it will be to remove. If you’re able to treat the butter stain as soon as it happens, you’ll have a much better chance of getting it out.
In all instances, you should be able to use any of the special leather cleaners that you can buy from the store. One of my personal go-to is the Leather Honey Leather Cleaner. Whether the stain is older, set in, or very old, you can still use this type of leather cleaner to help.
However, there are some home remedies that are also equally effective at removing butter stains from leather.
How To Get Butter Stains Out Of Leather Items
Below are some of the most effective home remedies to remove butter stains from leather using some common household items.
# 1. Using Baking Soda
One of the most effective ways to remove a butter stain from leather is by using baking soda. Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that can be used on many different surfaces, including leather.
Baking soda can help to absorb the butter and remove the stain. If you do not have baking soda, you can also use talcum powder or cornstarch. To use this simple but effective home remedy, below are the things you need and the procedures to follow;
Things Needed:
- Baking Soda
- Microfiber Cloth or Brush
- Paper Towels
- Leather Conditioner (optional)
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Blot as much of the butter stain out of the leather as possible using a paper towel.
- Try to remove as much of the excess grease and butter as you can without pressing or spreading the butter stains.
Step 2:
- Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the butter stain.
- Make sure to completely cover the butter stain with the baking soda.
Step 3:
- Leave the baking soda on the butter stain for a few hours, or overnight if possible.
- The baking soda will help to absorb the grease and butter from the leather.
Step 4:
- Remove as much of the dried baking soda from the leather as possible using a microfiber towel, brush, or a vacuum cleaner.
Step 5:
- Repeat steps two through four until the butter stain is no longer visible.
- Once the stain is gone, you can wipe down the leather with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
Step 6: (Optional)
- Conditioner your leather and leave the leather to air dry.
# 2. Using White Vinegar
Another home remedy that you can use to remove butter stains from leather is white vinegar. White vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that can be used on many different surfaces around the house, including leather.
White vinegar is one of the most powerful and affordable stain removers that you can use. It contains acetic acid, which helps to break down grease stains like butter and remove it from the leather and other porous surfaces without causing any damage.
To use white vinegar to remove a butter stain from leather, here are some of the things you will need and very simple procedures to follow.
Things Needed:
- White vinegar
- Cotton ball or soft cloth
- Water
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Blot to remove as much of the butter as possible with a paper towel.
Step 2:
- Next, mix one-part white vinegar with one part water in a bowl.
- Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the mixture and wring it out so that it is damp but not wet.
Step 3:
- Rub the damp microfiber cloth over the butter stain in a circular motion.
- Repeat until the stain is gone.
Step 4:
- Finally, wipe the area with a clean damp cloth to remove any residue and also to stop any further reaction with the leather.
- Now follow up by using a dry clean cloth to dry off the surface of the leather.
Step 5:
- Finally, apply a very thin layer of leather conditioner over the surface of your leather. This will help to keep the leather hydrated and protected from future stains.
# 3. Using Dish Soap
Dish soap is another household item that can be used to remove butter stains from leather. Dish soap contains tough but gentle cleaning agents, which makes it a great stain remover for grease and butter stains.
The best part is, dish soap or liquid detergents are very common in every household so finding one should not be a problem.
To use dish soap to remove butter stains from leather, you will need the following items:
Things Needed:
- Dish soap or liquid detergent
- Warm Water
- Cotton ball or Microfiber Cloth
- Paper towel
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Begin by blotting the area with a paper towel to remove any excess butter.
Step 2:
- Put 3-5 drops of mild dish soap into a bowl of warm water and mix until suds form.
Step 3:
- Dip a cotton ball or microfiber cloth into the soapy water and start blotting the butter stain.
- Rub using a back and forth motion or circular motion so that the soap can penetrate the butter stain.
- Continue doing this until the butter stain is removed.
Step 4:
- Once the butter stain has been removed, rinse the area with clean water and dry it off using clean dry cloth.
Step 5:
- Without wasting too much time, apply 2 layers of your favorite leather conditioner to keep the leather from drying out.
- You can also use mink oil if you do not have any leather conditioner on hand.
- Allow the conditioner to dry completely before using the leather item again.
4. Using Lemon Juice and Cream of Tartar
Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent, and when combined with cream of tartar, it can form a paste that can remove butter stains and grease stains from leather.
Not only are these effective home remedies on how to get butter stain out of leather, but they are also gentle enough that they will not damage the leather.
To use this method, here are the things you need and the procedures to follow:
Things Needed:
- Lemon juice
- Cream of tartar
- Water
Procedure:
Step 1:
- As always, you want to blot as much of the butter off as possible using a paper towel or clean cloth.
Step 2:
- Mix together lemon juice and cream of tartar to form a paste.
- Mix them in equal parts.
Step 3:
- Apply the paste to the butter stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
Step 4:
- After 30 minutes, use a damp cloth to wipe away the paste.
- Repeat as necessary until the butter stain is removed.
If you are looking for a more natural way to get butter stains out of leather, then using lemon juice and cream of tartar may be the best solution for you. This method is gentle enough that it will not damage the leather, but it is also effective in removing butter stains.
How To Prevent Butter Stains On Leather
Here are some important tips to help you not only prevent butter stains on leather but to also help you prevent permanent grease stains on your leather items.
- Always make sure your leather is conditioned as grease and butter stains can be more difficult to remove if the leather is dry.
- Be careful whenever you’re snacking or eating around your leather furniture. If you do happen to spill anything, make sure to clean it up immediately.
- Use a coaster or placemat when eating or drinking on your leather furniture as this will help to protect the leather from spills and stains.
- Whenever you’re cooking with grease, make sure to wipe it down afterward as grease can easily transfer to your leather furniture.
- Wipe or wash hands thoroughly before coming in contact with your leather furniture to avoid any grease or butter stains.
- Whenever you are not using your leather items, make sure they are stored in a cool, dark place. The sun and humidity can also damage leather over time.
- If you do get a grease or butter stain on your leather item, act quickly! The longer the stain sits, the more difficult it will be to remove.
- Never use harsh chemicals or cleaning agents on leather as this can damage the material. If you are not sure what to use, always test a small area first.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to get butter stains out of leather, you can easily remove any unwanted stains from your favorite leather items.
These home remedies are gentle enough that they will not damage the leather, but they are also effective in removing butter stains.
So, next time you have a butter stain on your leather item, don’t panic! Just follow these simple steps and you will be able to remove the stain in no time.
It is important that you take care of your leather items to prevent permanent damage. With proper care and cleaning, your leather items can last you a lifetime.
We hope that this article has helped you learn how to get butter stains out of leather. Take a few minutes and browse the other article we have on our site.