If you’re like me, you love honey. But sometimes, that delicious golden goodness can be a little too sticky. When it ends up on your leather couch or chair, it’s not the easiest thing to remove.
In this article, we will discuss how to get honey out of leather using different methods. We’ll also talk about the best ways to prevent honey from staining leather in the first place.
Effects Of Honey On Leather
When leather stains from honey, it is usually not permanent. However, if the honey is left on the leather for an extended period of time, there are a few things that can happen.
- Honey Darkens Leather
Honey can cause the leather to become darker over time. This is because honey is a sugar and it will gradually eat away at the natural oils in the leather. Also, honey has a high concentration of acids, which can also cause the leather to discolor.
- Honey Could Cause Leather To Wrinkle
Leather that has been stained with honey can sometimes start to wrinkle. Honey when it begins to dry on leather will cause it to shrink and this can lead to the formation of a lot of wrinkles.
- Leather Becomes Sticky
As you may have guessed correctly, when honey is left on leather, it will make the surface very sticky. This can be a major nuisance and it will be difficult to clean up if there are any other spills or dirt on the leather.
- Honey Can Cause Leather To Rot
While honey does not necessarily cause the leather to rot, it can provide a breeding ground for bacteria. If honey is not cleaned up properly and left on the leather, it could lead to the growth of mold or mildew on the surface.
How To Clean Honey Stains From Leather
Now that you’re motivated to remove that honey from your leather, let’s take a look at some methods you can use.
1. Using Warm Water
Usually, all you will need is nothing complex but some warm water and a soft cloth. The heat or warmth in the water can gently agitate the honey and help it to break down.
The best part is that method is very safe and will cost you nothing except for your time. To use this method, here are the things you will need and the steps you will need to follow;
Things You’ll Need:
- Warm Water
- Microfiber Cloth or Lint-free Rag
- Leather Conditioner
Instructions:
Step 1: Scoop Off Any Excess Honey
- Start by using a putty knife or spoon to scoop off any excess honey.
- This will help to make the cleaning process easier.
Step 2: Dampen Your Microfiber Cloth
- Soak your microfiber cloth in warm water and wring it out so that it’s not too wet.
- Make sure the water is not boiling hotas this can cause your leather to wrinkle.
Step 3: Rub the Honey Off Gently
- Now, you will want to start rubbing the honey off of the leather.
- Make sure to use circular motions and be gentle so that you don’t damage the leather.
Step 4: Rinse And Repeat
- Frequently rinse the cloth you’re using to scrub your leather in the warm water and repeat steps until all the honey is removed.
- Once the honey stain is gone, dampen your rag, this time, with cool water and then wipe the leather surface to remove any remaining residue.
Step 5: Dry Off The Leather Surface
- With the help of a dry clean cloth, dry off the leather surface completely.
- Then allow the leather to air dry.
- Do not use any heat source to speed up the drying process as this could cause your leather to dry out.
Step 6: Condition Your Leather
- Finally, use the leather conditioner you normally use to condition the entire surface of the leather.
- This will help to restore the natural oils in the leather and will help to prevent it from drying out. Done!
2. Using Dish Soap And Cool Water
If the honey stains are much worse than you could imagine and the warm water method didn’t help, then you can try using a combination of dish soap and cool water.
The dish soap will act as a surfactant and will help to break down the honey while the cool water will help to rinse it away.
Again, this is a safe and easy method that will not cause any damage to your leather or break your bank. Simply follow the steps below to get the honey stain out.
Things You’ll Need:
- Dish Soap
- Cool Water
- Bowl
- Soft Cloth
Instructions:
Step 1: Remove Excess Honey Residue
- As always, you wan to start by removing any excess honey residue with a putty knife or spoon.
- This step makes it a lot easier to remove the rest of the honey stain.
Step 2: Mix Your Cleaning Solution
- In a bowl, mix together two tablespoons of dish soap with one cup of cool water.
- This will however depend on the size of the honey stain you’ve got.
- Stir until the dish soap is completely dissolved.
Step 3: Soak Your Cleaning Cloth In The Solution
- Soak your cleaning cloth in the solution and wring it out so that it’s not too wet.
- You do not want to get your leather soaking wet so make sure the cleaning rag or sponge is damp.
Step 4: Scrub Your Leather Surface
- Now, you will want to start scrubbing the honey stain with the cloth.
- Make sure to use circular motions and be gentle so that you don’t damage the leather.
- Continue scrubbing and wringing out the rag until the honey stain is gone.
Step 5: Rinse The Leather Surface
- Rinse the leather surface with cool water to remove any leftover residue from the dish soap solution.
- Dry off the leather surface with a dry cloth.
- Allow the leather to air dry for a few minutes.
Step 6: Apply Leather Conditioner
- Apply your preferred leather conditioner to the entire surface of the leather.
- This will help to restore the natural oils in the leather and will help to prevent it from drying out. You’re done!
3. Using Baby Wipes
Another safe and easy way to remove honey stains from leather is by using baby wipes. The ingredients in baby wipes are gentle enough that they will not damage your leather but strong enough to remove the honey stain.
However, since not all baby wipes are the same with some having alcohol, I usually recommend using this method on faux leather or synthetic leather. This is because the surface of faux leather is not as porous as natural leather, so the alcohol and other potentially harmful ingredients in some baby wipes can not damage it.
Plus, this method is affordable and easy to find. Simply follow the steps below to get the job done.
Things You’ll Need:
- Baby Wipes
- Microfiber Cloth
Instructions:
Step 1: Remove The Excess Honey Residue
- Again, start by removing any excess honey residue with a putty knife or spoon.
Step 2: Pull Out Baby Wipes
- Pull out one or two baby wipes and close the container so that the wipes don’t dry out.
Step 3: Blot The Honey Stain With Baby Wipes
- Now, you will want to start blotting the honey stain with the baby wipe.
- Make sure to press down firmly so that the baby wipe can absorb as much of the honey as possible.
- Continue blotting with a new baby wipe until the honey stain is gone.
Step 4: Dry The Faux Leather Surface
- Use a dry clean cloth to dry of the faux leather surface.
- You may need to do this a few times to make sure the surface is completely dry. Voila!
If you’re interested in getting wipes that are specially made for cleaning natural leather items, check out these Leather Cleaning Wipes from Wieman.
They’re alcohol-free and will not damage your leather, plus they come with a handy storage case.
4. Using Leather Cleaner
If you’re not comfortable using dish soap, baby wipes, or any other at-home methods to remove the honey stain from your leather, you can also use a commercial leather cleaner.
There are many different types of leather cleaners on the market, so it’s important to choose one that is specifically designed for your type of leather. Preferably, you can go for leather cleaners that are all-purpose and safe for both natural and faux leather.
Once you have the leather cleaner, simply follow the instructions on the bottle to remove the honey stain.
However, if you’re not sure how to use it or are uncomfortable using a chemical cleaner, I would recommend taking your leather item to a professional leather cleaning service.
They will be able to clean it using the correct products and methods, without any risk of damage.
Final Thoughts
Removing honey stains from leather doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. You can use a variety of different methods depending on what you have available to you.
So, whether you’re dealing with a small honey stain or a large one, don’t worry, there is a solution for you. And if all else fails, you can always take your leather item to a professional cleaning service. Happy Cleaning!
