If you’re like me, then you love your soy sauce. But what do you do if you get it on your leather couch? Or your favorite leather shoes? Don’t worry, I’m here to help! In this tutorial, I will show you how to remove a soy sauce stain from leather quickly and easily.
Soy sauce is a popular condiment made from soybeans, wheat, salt, and water. It is used in many Asian cuisines as a dipping sauce, marinade, or seasoning. Soy sauce has a dark brown color and a salty, umami flavor.
Before we get into the details on how to remove it, it’s important to understand that soy sauce is a protein-based stain. This means it can be extremely difficult to remove if it’s not treated quickly.
Generally, protein-based stains are best treated with products that contain enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that break down other proteins, which is why they’re so effective at removing stains.
While enzyme-based cleaners can be effective at removing soy sauce stains, there are other cleaning solutions that will be as effective.
How To Remove Soy Sauce Stains From Leather
Here are three easy ways to remove a soy sauce stain from leather;
1. Using Leather Cleaner
Using a leather cleaner is one of the best ways to remove a soy sauce stain and other different stains from leather.
There are specialized cleaners that contain enzymes that can break down the proteins in the soy sauce, making it much easier to remove the stain.
One such leather cleaner is Amazing Leather Cleaner, formulated to clean even the toughest protein-based stains.
Leather cleaners can also remove soy sauce stains that have already had time to set in and become difficult to remove.
There are other leather cleaning formulas available on the market, so check the label to ensure it contains enzymes.
To use, here are the steps to follow for the best result;
Step One:
- Blot any excess soy sauce from the leather using a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.
- Be sure not to rub the stain, as this will only spread it further.
Step Two:
- Spray or apply the cleaner to a clean cloth and gently rub it into the stain in a circular motion.
- Be sure to follow any additional instructions on the cleaner, as some require you to dilute the formula before use.
Step Three:
- Allow the cleaner to sit on the stain for the amount of time specified on the label.
- This will give the enzymes time to break down the proteins in the soy sauce.
Step Four:
- Wipe away any residue with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.
- You may need to repeat the process a few times for tougher stains.
Step Five:
- Use a damp cloth to wipe away any cleaner residue that is left on the leather.
- Make sure not to use warm or hot water, as this can make the soy sauce stain set in permanently.
Step Six:
- Dry the area with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel.
- Allow the leather surface to air dry.
Step Seven:
- Apply the leather conditioner to help restore moisture and protect the leather.
- After applying the leather conditioner, wipe away any excess and leave it to air dry before use.
2. Using Saddle Soap
Saddle soap is a type of cleaning product that is specifically designed for cleaning leather.
It’s a gentle yet effective cleaner that can remove soy sauce stains from leather without any issues.
Saddle soaps are formulated with soaps, waxes, and oils to help clean and nourish leather. My go-to saddle soap is this one by Kiwi.
Hey! who am I kidding anyways? They are the widely used brand when it comes to saddle soap.
To use, here are the steps you need to follow;
Step One:
- Create a lather using saddle soap and a damp cloth or cleaning brush.
Step Two:
- Gently rub the lather into the soy sauce stain in a circular motion.
- Let it sit for a few seconds, and use your cleaning brush to scrub the area gently.
Step Three:
- Rinse the area with clean, cool water and dry it off with a clean cloth or paper towel.
- You may need to repeat the process a few times for tougher stains.
Step Four:
- Once the stains are gone, condition your leather with a good leather conditioner.
3. Using Mild Dish Soap
Mild dish soap is another cleaning solution that can be used to remove soy sauce stains from leather.
Mild dish soap is effective in breaking down the proteins in soy sauce, which makes it easier to remove the stain.
To use this method;
Step One:
- Simply create a mixture of mild dish soap and cool water.
- Make sure the mixture is sudsy before moving on to the next step.
Step Two:
- Next, use a clean white cloth to apply the sudsy mixture to the affected area of the leather.
- Gently rub the mixture into the stain using circular motions.
Step Three:
- Once the stain has been treated with the dish soap mixture, use a clean damp cloth to remove any soap residue from the leather.
Step Four:
- Allow the leather to air dry completely. Repeat this process as necessary until the soy sauce stain is removed.
Step Five:
- Once the stain is removed, you can condition and protect the leather using a quality leather conditioner.
- Applying a leather conditioner will help to restore moisture and protect the leather from future stains.
Important Tips to Keep in Mind
- Always test any cleaner or solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the leather first to make sure it won’t damage or discolor the surface.
- Never use hot water to remove soy sauce stains from leather. Hot water can cause the stain to set in permanently.
- Be sure to remove all cleaner residue from the leather after cleaning. Any residual cleaner can damage or discolor the leather over time.
- Always condition leather after cleaning to help restore moisture and protect the surface.
With these tips in mind, you should be able to remove soy sauce stains from your leather goods easily.
Final Thoughts
Soy sauce stains can be a pain to remove, but it’s definitely possible with the right cleaners and techniques.
This article shows you three different ways that you can remove soy sauce stains from leather.
Always test any cleaner or solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the leather first to ensure it won’t damage or discolor the surface.
FAQ
Q: Does soy sauce stain leather?
A: Soy sauce contains proteins and natural tannins that can permanently stain leather if not cleaned up quickly. The resulting stain is usually dark brown or black in color.