How do you get water stains out of leather seats?

Water seems almost harmless compared to the other potentially staining substances that can make contact with your furniture or clothing. However, if water isn't wiped away immediately, you may discover unsightly water marks on leather. With the right materials and under the proper conditions, water marks on leather clothing and furniture can be removed.

Know Your Leather

Leather couches, chairs and ottomans are typically made of two types of leather: pigmented leather and aniline-dyed leather, the team at Merry Maids writes. Pigmented leather is leather that has been dyed with aniline and coated with an additional pigment layer. The additional layer helps prevent pigmented leather from fading over time while boosting its durability.

Aniline-dyed leather is leather dyed without pigment. Softer than its counterpart, aniline-dyed leather is also known as “unfinished leather” because it's dyed with aniline and not coated with pigments. With a more natural look, this type of leather often has a warmer and richer color than pigmented leather.

Always check with the manufacturer’s care instructions before proceeding with cleaning leather, so you can verify the type of leather the furniture or clothing is made with. Aniline-dyed leather is very delicate compared to pigmented leather, and therefore, it requires specific cleaning instructions. Because of its specific care, err on the safe side and seek professional cleaning since the risk of damaging the leather is high when you're inexperienced.

Leather Stain Prevention and Maintenance

The best way to avoid or minimize water stains on leather is to wipe the water away with a clean sponge immediately upon contact, an expert from Bond Cleaning in Perth writes. You can also use a microfiber cloth or anything soft and non-abrasive when wiping.

When cleaning a stain from leather, avoid using excessive water since oversaturation can worsen the stain. Instead, use a damp sponge, microfiber cloth or a soft rag, making sure that it's not sopping wet. Removing a stain is always much easier the closer it is to when the accident occurred. The longer it has time to dry and set, the harder it typically is to remove.

Water left to sit for some time may leave a water mark on leather. Regardless of the size or shape, these stains can be taken care of by using a little bit of elbow grease. To remove the water stains, you need the following: a microfiber cloth (a white or natural color to prevent color bleeding), distilled water and leather conditioner.

Remove Water Marks on Leather

First, dampen the microfiber cloth with distilled water. Once damp, gently wipe at the center of the stain in a circular motion, working your way outward. Continue wiping the stain in a circular motion until you can't see the water mark. Let the area dry completely before checking on it. Do this repeatedly until the stain is no longer visible.

Once the water stain has completely disappeared and the surface of the leather is dry, use a leather conditioner as recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions.

According to the Chicago Tribune, pigmented leather is more resistant to discoloration and damage and should be able to withstand most all-purpose leather cleaners and conditioners. However, always double-check the leather conditioner’s product details to verify it's intended for shoes, clothing or furniture, because different conditioners are formulated for different types of leather. If water stains are a consistent issue with your leather, consider looking for a water-repelling leather conditioner. A water-resistant conditioner is ideal for application to leather shoes, bags or clothing or any other item that frequently gets wet or is exposed to the elements.

Leather furniture comes with a high price tag. If you own such a piece, protect your investment with regular care and use only the appropriate methods to remove stains from leather furniture. Otherwise, you could end up with an unsightly mess. If cleaning off that leather furniture tires you out, call Molly Maid, a Neighborly company for the rest of your home cleaning needs! Call (800) 654-9647 now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Click here to request service in your area.

General Leather Care Tips

Most leather furniture features a topcoat of protection, which is noted on the tag with a “P.” It has a smooth-grained texture with no nap. With this type of leather, follow these care tips:

• Vacuum as needed using a soft brush attachment; frequency of vacuuming depends on use, but weekly works well as a rule.
• Follow with a soft white cloth barely dampened with water, then dry with another soft white cloth; use only white cloths as dye can transfer to leather.
• Do not use soap of any kind; it can cause color fade and make the material brittle over time.
• Apply a high-quality commercial conditioner for leather every six to 12 months; again, frequency depends on use, so a couch in the family room may need conditioning more often than a chair in a formal dining room.
• Do not place this type of furniture in sunlight; it can cause color fade and dry out the leather.
• Avoid placing pieces near a heat source; it can dry out the material.
• Be careful what you leave sitting on leather furniture; leather can absorb ink from newspapers, and sharp objects will scratch or even create a hole.
• Clean up spills and treat stains immediately.

How to Remove Water Stains from Leather Furniture

That leather chair is probably the most expensive piece of furniture in your home; so, what do you do if you spill water on it? Water can simply be wiped away if it is cleaned immediately after the spill, but old water spills will need to be blended away from the center of the stained area with a cloth. Simply follow these steps to remove a water stain on leather.

1. Test the water. Always test on a small, inconspicuous area of the leather first. That way, if the method does not work or even creates a larger mess, it won’t be easily seen.
2. Wipe up water.If you spill water on your leather furniture and are able to clean it immediately, simply wipe it up with a soft white cloth.
3. Blend old stains. Water that has been left to dry on the piece may leave behind a stain. This requires you to blend the stain with the surrounding area. You can do so by dampening a soft white cloth with water and wiping outward from the center of the stain. Be gentle as you wipe and use drier areas of the cloth as you work outward to blend the stain.

How to Remove Other Common Stains

The item you spilled or caused the stain with itself dictates the method for removal. Here are some tips for how to remove grease and ink stains.

Grease Stains — If your pizza slice slides onto the couch, or if you get grease on your pants and transfer it to the leather without realizing it, head to the kitchen. Follow these steps to remove grease stains:

1. Grab a soft white cloth and cornstarch to use as cleaning products.
2. Blot up as much of the grease as possible with the cloth, then shake a layer of cornstarch on the stain.
3. After letting it sit for 10 minutes, vacuum up the cornstarch with your soft brush attachment. The cornstarch should lift the grease, but you may need to use this method a few times to get it all.

Ink Stains — These are among the most difficult of stains to remove from leather. Let’s start with advice not to follow:

• Do not use alcohol, including hairspray, to remove ink from leather furniture; it can lift the color
• Do not use abrasive cleaners; they will remove a layer of the leather

If you spill ink, contain the mess by using a soft white cloth to lift as much of it as possible. Then consult a professional to remove any remaining stains. You can easily ruin a nice piece of leather furniture by trying to remove ink yourself.

Let Molly Maid Help Clean

Now you know the best way to clean and remove stains from leather furniture so it can stay fresh and protected. Give the rest of your house the same attention with professional cleaning services, and call the experts at Molly Maid! We’ll treat every part of your house as carefully as you treat your leather furniture. Contact your local Molly Maid today or give us a call at (800) 654-9647 for a free cleaning estimate!

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