Do you have a deodorant stain on your leather jacket? Or maybe on your favorite pair of shoes or bag? Don’t worry. I’m here to help! In this article, I will discuss removing deodorant stains from leather using simple home remedies.
I’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide as well as some tips and tricks that will make the process a little bit easier. So read on and get started!
What’s In Deodorant & Why Does It Stain Leather?
Deodorants contain ingredients like aluminum compounds, alcohol, and oils. These components can leave a greasy residue on leather when they come into contact with it.
The residue is difficult to remove because of its oily nature. Avoiding contact between the two materials is the best way to avoid deodorant staining your leather items.
However, if you’re already dealing with a stain on your leather item, don’t worry! There are several methods of removing the stain.
How To Get Deodorant Stains Out of Leather
There’s no doubt that leather cleaner or saddle soap will do a great job of removing deodorant stains quickly and easily but also safely.
If you don’t have those products or do not want to spend any money, here are some home remedies you can use to remove deodorant stains from your leather goods:
1. Using Mild Dish Soap (Best For Light Deodorant Stains)
Mild dish soap is not only safe for leather, but it’s also effective in removing any grease, oil, and alcohol-based stains–just like what deodorant is made of.
It works by breaking down the oily residue and lifting it off the leather surface.
To use this method, here are the things you need and the steps to follow;
- Mild Dish Soap
- Microfiber Cloth
- Leather Conditioner
Step One: Mix Dish Soap Solution
- Start by putting 3-5 drops of mild dish soap into a spray bottle with lukewarm water.
- Shake it up to mix the dish soap with the water.
Step Two: Scrub The Leather
- Spray the cleaning solution onto a cloth or sponge and then use that to scrub away the deodorant stain on your leather item gently.
- Make sure you don’t scrub too hard, as this might damage the leather.
- Continue rubbing until the deodorant stain is gone.
Step Three: Wipe Down The Leather
- Once all the deodorant residue has been removed, wipe down the leather with a damp cloth.
- This will help remove any remaining soap and deodorant residue from the leather surface.
Step Four: Air Dry The Leather
- Allow the leather to air dry completely.
- Do not use any heat sources, such as a hair dryer or a clothes iron, to speed up the drying process, as this could dry out the leather.
Step Five: Condition The Leather
- Once the leather is dry, apply a leather conditioner.
- Make sure to apply very thin coats of conditioner, as too much product can leave a residue on the leather.
- Allow the conditioner to absorb into the leather and buff off any excess residue.
- Make sure to allow the leather to air dry before using or putting it away in storage.
2. Using White Vinegar (Best For Set Deodorant Stains)
White vinegar, as we all know, is a cleaning powerhouse. It can be used to clean almost anything in the house, including leather goods.
White vinegar works by safely dissolving the deodorant stains without damaging the leather material.
To use white vinegar for removing deodorant stains from leather, you’ll need the following:
- A Clean Cloth
- White Vinegar
- Warm Water
- Sponge or soft-bristled brush (optional)
- Leather Conditioner
Step One: Mix The Vinegar Solution
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and warm water in a bowl or spray bottle.
- Make sure to mix it thoroughly.
Step Two: Dab The Stain
- Dip the clean cloth into the mixture and wring it out so that it’s not dripping wet.
- Use the cloth to dab the deodorant stain on the leather item.
- Do not scrub, as this could damage the leather.
- Continue to dab until all of the deodorant stains and residues are dissolved and removed.
- If you’re using a sponge or soft-bristled brush, use it gently in circular motions to help lift up any stubborn stains.
Step Three: Wipe Down The Leather
- With the help of a clean microfiber cloth, wipe down the leather to remove any excess vinegar solution and deodorant residue.
- Make sure to wring out the cloth before use so that your leather items don’t get wet.
- Follow up by wiping down the leather with a dry cloth.
Step Four: Air Dry The Leather
- Allow the leather to air dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step Five: Condition The Leather
- Once the leather is completely dry, apply a leather conditioner.
Make sure to use thin coats of conditioner and allow it to absorb into the leather before buffing off any excess residue.
3. Using Baking Soda & Warm Water (Best For All Deodorant Stains)
Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that can be used to safely remove deodorant stains from leather.
Baking soda is made up of tiny, abrasive particles which can be used to gently scrub away deodorant stains.
To use this method, here are the things you need;
- Baking Soda
- Warm Water
- Soft cloth Instructions
- Leather Conditioner
Step One: Make Your Baking Soda Solution
- First, mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a cup of warm water.
- You want to increase the baking soda based on the size of the stain.
Step Two: Scrub The Leather
- Dampen a soft cloth with the baking soda mixture and gently scrub the deodorant stain.
- Try to scrub in small circles, applying light pressure.
- Do this for several minutes until the stain starts to fade away.
- Remember to rinse off the cloth often while you’re scrubbing.
Step Three: Condition The Leather
- Once the deodorant stain has been removed, rinse off the leather item with clean water and let it air dry.
- You should also apply a few drops of leather conditioner to replenish any lost moisture caused by the cleaning process.
- This will help keep the leather soft and supple.
4. Using Rubbing Alcohol (For Persistent Deodorant Stains)
If the deodorant stains are proving to be stubborn and difficult to remove, then you could try using rubbing alcohol. You can also use denatured alcohol as an alternative.
Rubbing alcohol is powerful enough to dissolve deodorant stains without damaging the leather material.
Here are the things you need;
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Cotton Ball or Soft Cloth
- Leather Condition
Step One: Apply The Rubbing Alcohol
- Dip a cotton ball or soft cloth into the rubbing alcohol and start to dab the deodorant stain.
- Apply gentle pressure as you dab, allowing the rubbing alcohol to break down the stains.
- Do this for several minutes until the stain starts to fade away.
Step Two: Rinse Off The Leather
- Rinse off the leather item with clean water to remove any residues of rubbing alcohol.
- Blot excess water away using a soft cloth and let the leather air dry completely.
Step Three: Condition The Leather
- Once the deodorant stain has been removed, apply a few drops of leather conditioner all over the surface of your leather item.
- Massage the conditioner into the leather and buff off any excess residue.
- As a result, your leather items will be back to their former glory, free of deodorant stains.
5. Using DIY Cleaning Mixture (Best For Heavy-Duty Stains)
There is a DIY solution that can be used to tackle heavy-duty deodorant stains on leather.
While this will work for deodorant stains, it can also remove any type of stain from leather.
For this method, you will need the following items:
- Bowl or container
- 1 cup baking soda
- Two tablespoons of dish soap
- Two tablespoons of white vinegar
- Clean cloths or sponges
- Leather conditioner
Step One: Mix Cleaning Solution
- Mix the baking soda, dish soap, and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Add distilled water to the mixture to dilute it.
- Shake the spray bottle to mix the ingredients well.
Step Two: Spray The Mixture Onto The Stain
- Spray the mixture directly onto the deodorant stain on the leather item.
- Let it sit for about 1-2 minutes, allowing it time to work its way into the leather and break down the deodorant stains and residue.
Step Three: Use A Clean Cloth To Wipe Away The Stain
- Take a clean cloth or sponge and gently rub the leather surface in circular motions.
- Be sure to scrub lightly, as you don’t want to cause any damage to the leather.
- Continue wiping away until all of the stains have been removed.
Step Four: Clean the Entire Leather Surface
- Once the deodorant stains have been removed, it’s important to clean the entire leather surface.
- Spray the cleaning mixture onto the entire surface and wipe it down with a clean cloth.
- This will help to give the leather surface an even look.
Step Five: Condition The Leather
- The final step is to condition the leather.
- This will help keep the leather soft and supple and protect it from future stains.
- Apply a small amount of leather conditioner to a clean cloth and gently rub it into the leather in circular motions.
- Let it sit for at least 5-10 minutes before wiping off any excess.
Final Thoughts
By following the steps above, you should easily get rid of deodorant stains on your leather items.
It’s important to remember that all leather is different and may require a slightly different approach when it comes to cleaning and removing stains.
If in doubt, consult a professional for the best advice on how to deal with the stains you have.
Also, you want to test out any of the above-mentioned cleaning solutions on a small, inconspicuous area of the leather before applying it to the entire surface.
This is to make sure that the cleaning products won’t damage or discolor your leather item.
Finally, remember to condition your leather after every cleaning session to keep it looking good and to protect it from future stains.
