We all love the smell of new leather. It is a rich and nice scent and how to get odor out of leather. That smell tells us something is high quality. But what do you do when that great smell goes away? Sadly, a bad odor can take its place. This can be a musty smell from being damp. It could be the smell of smoke. It might even be a smell from a pet. As a result, these smells can make you want to hide your leather items.
The good news, however, is that you can fight these bad smells. You do not have to live with them. In fact, with a few easy tricks, you can make your leather smell fresh again. So, you can save your favorite leather jacket, couch, or handbag. This guide on how to get odor out of leather is your first step.
Leather has tiny little holes in it. That is why it is a porous material. Because of these holes, leather soaks up smells from the air. This is why a quick wipe does not always work. The smell is deep inside the material. But do not worry. Before you pay for a pro to clean it, you should try these home methods. This guide shows you the top three ways to remove odors Out of Carpet. Also, these methods are safe for most leather. So, let’s get started and make your leather fresh again.
Why Learning How to Get Odor Out of Leather is Important
To fix a problem, it helps to know what caused it. So, why does leather get smelly? Knowing the cause can help you choose the best cleaning method. Also, it can help you stop smells from happening again. As we said, leather is porous. For instance, it acts like a sponge. It soaks up liquids. It also soaks up tiny bits of dust and smells from the air. That is why a leather coat worn near a fire will hold that smoky smell for a long time. This makes it a hard case for how to get odor out of leather.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Leather Odor?
There are a few top reasons why your leather might start to smell. It is good to understand them.
- Moisture: This is a very common cause. If leather gets wet and does not dry the right way, it can get stinky. Then How to Get Mold Off Leather, mold and mildew can grow on the damp leather. This causes a musty, old smell. It needs a good cleaning solution. This often happens to leather items kept in a damp closet or basement.
- Smoke: Smoke is another big cause of leather smells. Cigarette smoke is a strong one. Smoke from a fire can also get into your leather. The small smoke bits go deep into the leather’s pores. As a result, this leaves a smell that is very hard to get out.
- Pets and Body Oils: If you have pets, you know they can cause smells too. Pet pee, for instance, is one of the worst smells to deal with. It has parts that stick deep in the leather. This makes it a big challenge. It creates a sharp smell that stays for a long time. Even the oils from your pet’s fur can get on your leather. In addition, your own sweat and body oils can cause smells. So, knowing where the smell came from is your first step.
How to Get Odor Out of Leather with Baking Soda
If you need a gentle but strong method, look in your kitchen. Baking soda is a true hero for bad smells. This simple white powder is a great natural deodorizer. It works by soaking up and killing bad smells. Best of all, it does this without any harsh chemicals. This is often the first method to try when you’re learning how to get odor out of leather.
Baking soda works on all kinds of smells. For instance, it can take care of both acid and base odors. This makes it a great choice for many problems. This method is best for smells that are not too strong. For example, it works well on a musty smell or a light smoke smell. So, it is a safe first step in cleaning your leather.
What Materials Do You Need for the Baking Soda Method?
Before you start, you will need to get a few items.
- A fresh box of baking soda
- A soft, clean cloth (a microfiber cloth is great)
- A vacuum with a soft brush end
- A large plastic bag you can seal or a clean pillowcase (for small items)
How Do You Apply Baking soda to Deodorize Leather?
Follow these points with care for the best results. This is a great way for how to get odor out of leather.
- Make Sure the Leather is Dry: Your leather item must be all the way dry before you start. If it’s damp, the baking soda can turn into a paste. This paste is hard to clean.
- Use on Small Items (Bags, Shoes): Put your leather item in the large plastic bag or pillowcase. Then, add a lot of baking soda into the bag. Seal the bag. Then shake it with care to cover the item with the powder.
- Use on Large Items (Sofas, Chairs): For big items, you can put the baking soda right on the leather. Do not be shy. Use a good amount. Put extra on the parts that smell the worst.
- Wait for It to Work: Let the baking soda do its job. For items in a bag, let them sit for at least one to two days. For big items, let the baking soda sit for many hours. You can even leave it on all night for tough smells.
- Clean It Up: After you wait, it is time to remove the powder. Take small items out of the bag with care. Shake off the extra baking soda. It is best to do this outside. For big items, use the vacuum with the soft brush end. Gently lift all the powder away. Check to make sure you got it all. Last, give the surface a quick wipe with your clean, dry cloth.
For more science facts, the American Chemical Society has great info on things like baking soda.
How to Get Odor Out of Leather From Strong Smells like Mildew
Sometimes, you have a smell that is very strong. So, baking soda might not be enough. Tough smells like mildew or heavy smoke need a stronger mix. For these jobs, white vinegar is a great tool. Vinegar is a weak acid. As a result, this helps it break down the things that cause bad smells. It’s a strong answer to the question of how to get odor out of leather.
You might feel nervous about using vinegar on your leather. It is right to be careful. But if you use it the right way, it is very safe. It also works well. The trick is to mix it with water. This makes it gentle enough for your leather. Yet it is still tough on smells.
How to Mix the Right Vinegar Solution for Leather
First, you need to make the right cleaning mix. Never use pure vinegar.
- What You Need: You only need two things: distilled white vinegar and water.
- The Recipe: Mix one part vinegar with one part water in a clean bowl. For example, use one cup of water and one cup of vinegar. It is key to use distilled white vinegar. This helps you avoid stains.
What is the Correct Process for Applying Vinegar to Leather?
This guide on how to get odor out of leather is key for safety.
- Do a Spot Test: Before you clean, you must test the mix. Find a small, hidden spot on your leather. Put a small bit of the mix on a cloth. Rub it on the test spot. Let it dry all the way. Then, check for any color change or damage. If it looks good, you can go on.
- Wet Your Cloth: Dip a clean, soft cloth into your vinegar mix. Then, squeeze it out very well. The cloth should be damp, not dripping wet.
- Wipe Down the Leather: Gently wipe the whole surface of your leather item. Use soft, round motions. You can press a bit harder on very smelly spots.
- Air Dry All the Way: Let the item air dry in a room with good air flow. Keep it out of direct sun. Also, keep it away from heat like a radiator.
Why is Conditioning After Cleaning So Important?
After you use vinegar, you must condition the leather. This step is very important. The vinegar mix can remove some of the leather’s natural oils. These oils keep it soft.
- Adds Back Moisture: Conditioning adds back moisture to the leather. This is key to stop it from getting dry or cracking over time.
- Gives Protection: A good conditioner also adds a safe layer to the top of the leather. This helps guard against future spills and smells.
- How to Do It: Once the leather is dry, put a small bit of a good leather conditioner on a clean cloth. Rub it into the leather in a soft, round pattern. Let it soak in for the time on the product label. This is often 30 to 60 minutes. Last, buff the whole surface with a new clean, dry cloth. This makes it shine. You can find great leather care items at a trusted store like Leather Honey.
How to Get Odor Out of Leather Using Natural Methods
Believe it or not, one of the best ways for how to get odor out of leather is also the easiest. It is also completely free. The simple mix of fresh air and sun can do amazing things for mild leather smells. This method is perfect for a musty smell. It also works for a light smell that seems to hang around.
So, how does it work? The fresh air moves through the leather. This helps the trapped smell bits escape. At the same time, the UV rays from the sun help kill the tiny germs and mold that cause smells. In short, it is a natural and strong way to freshen up your things.
What is the Step-by-Step Process for Using Sunlight and Air?
- Find the Right Spot: First, find a place with good air flow. Outside on a dry, breezy day is perfect. But if you cannot take your item outside, a room with lots of open windows will work too.
- Place Your Item for the Most Air: For a jacket, use a strong hanger. For a bag, open all the zippers and pockets to let air inside. For a couch, try to get air moving all around it.
- Use Only Indirect Sun: This is very important. Direct, hot sun can cause the leather to fade and crack. Put your item in a spot that gets gentle, indirect light. A shady spot on a porch or a room with thin curtains are great options. This is a key tip for cleaning leather without sun damage.
- Give It Time: Let your leather item air out for a few hours. For a stronger smell, however, you might need a whole day. You may even need a couple of days. It is a good idea to turn the item now and then. This makes sure all parts get fresh air and gentle sun.
When to Call a Pro for How to Get Odor Out of Leather
The home methods in this guide work for most leather odor problems. Indeed, they are very safe and work well for how to get odor out of leather. But there are some times when it is better to call a pro for help.
When should you call an expert?
- For Very Strong Smells: If you are dealing with heavy smoke damage from a fire, a pro is your best bet. The same is true for a bad pet pee accident that has soaked deep into cushions. They have special tools and cleaners.
- For Delicate or High-Cost Items: If you have a costly designer bag or a very old antique, do not risk cleaning it yourself. A pro has the skill to handle these items without causing damage.
- For Special Leathers: Things like suede or nubuck need very different cleaning methods. A pro will know just how to treat them.
Of course, it does cost more to hire a pro. But it is a smart choice to protect your costly or special leather items. To learn more about the rules in the leather industry, the Leather Working Group is a great resource.
FAQ – How to Get Odor Out of Leather
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1. Why does my leather item smell bad?
Leather can smell for a few reasons. New leather can have a strong smell from the factory. If leather gets wet, it can get a bad, moldy smell. It can also pick up smells like smoke or food. If you know why it smells, you can clean it better.
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2. What is an easy first step to get smells out?
The best thing to do first is air it out. Put your leather item outside on a nice, dry day. Do not put it right in the sun. The sun can hurt it. A shady spot is best. Leave it out all day. Fresh air can get rid of light smells all by itself.
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3. Can I use baking soda to get smells out?
Yes. Baking soda is great for soaking up bad smells. For a bag or shoes, put them in a box. Add an open box of baking soda. Then close the big box. Leave it for a day. For a couch, just sprinkle baking soda on it. Let it sit all night. Then use a vacuum to clean it off.
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4. Can I use vinegar to clean smelly leather?
Yes, but be careful. Mix the same amount of white vinegar and water. Use a soft cloth. Get it a little wet. Wipe the leather gently. Do not get it too wet. The vinegar smell goes away once it is dry. The bad smell will go away too. Vinegar can make leather dry. Use a leather conditioner on it after.
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5. How do I get out a very strong smell like smoke?
A strong smoke smell is hard to get out. You can try a few things. First, try wiping it with the vinegar mix. When it is dry, try the baking soda trick for a day or two. If it still smells, use charcoal. Put a bowl of charcoal next to the leather in a closed box. Charcoal is great at pulling bad smells out of the air.
