Leather stained by clothing

[Quattro Pete]

I bought a winter jacket recently (dark olive color). After a while I noticed that the seat in my car and the elbow support areas started turning dark. The upholstery is light sand color leather.

I tried cleaning the upholstery with Lexol Leather Cleaner, but it's not doing the trick. What else can I try?

 

[bluestream]

Maybe try Mr. Clean Majic eraser. One of the best things I have ever used. Try it in a remote spot first...

 

[JHZR2]

I saw that at the auto show - tan leather gets badly stained by dark jeans.

I'd try leatherique pristine clean.

 

[hardcore302]

The exact same thing happened to me. Nothing would get rid of it, but after a while ij went away from my bare elbow rubbing it in the summer, lol.

 

[ionbeam22]

Light colored leathers are prone to this, as the top coating used can't be as substantive. I'd go at it a few times with the Lexol Leather cleaner, and if that doesn't work, use a damp rag with saddle soap, and then wipe the soap off.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Try a diluted apc

 

[MKZman]

Originally Posted By: ionbeam22
Light colored leathers are prone to this, as the top coating used can't be as substantive. I'd go at it a few times with the Lexol Leather cleaner, and if that doesn't work, use a damp rag with saddle soap, and then wipe the soap off.


The experts recommend against using saddle soap with automotive leather. It is supposedly too alkaline. It has often has animal oils that are not useful on automotive leather either.

Always use a test spot first before using any cleaners on leather.

 

[RTexasF]

I would use a solution of Woolite & water cut 6 to 1 and a magic eraser. That's one part Woolite to six parts water.

 

[Lakersguy]

A very good upholster shop told me to use Murphy's Oil soap on leather in a car. I was skeptical at first but it does say right on the bottle for car interiors. It works really well.

 

[ionbeam22]

Originally Posted By: MKZman
Originally Posted By: ionbeam22
Light colored leathers are prone to this, as the top coating used can't be as substantive. I'd go at it a few times with the Lexol Leather cleaner, and if that doesn't work, use a damp rag with saddle soap, and then wipe the soap off.


The experts recommend against using saddle soap with automotive leather. It is supposedly too alkaline. It has often has animal oils that are not useful on automotive leather either.

Always use a test spot first before using any cleaners on leather.


Saddle soap will work just fine, as long as you apply it with a damp rag, and then wipe it off. No one is saying to leave it soaking on. The fact that color has been absorbed suggests that the leather's top coating may not be fully intact.

All I will say that the "automotive" leather experts are usually trying to sell you some product, and usually aren't involved in the leather industry or in formulating HII products.

I could be boring and send him off to buy some Neutrad, but a little saddle soap applied with common sense will do just as well.

 

[Falcon_LS]

This will sound rather crazy, but I use WD-40 to clean leather. It's worked really, really well for me and removed stains leather cleaners otherwise did not.

Spray some on a microfibre cloth, and apply it directly to the stain. If it doesn't come off, spray a bit directly on the leather and let it sit for a minute or two then wipe off. It does take a couple of goes (3-4), but it's a decent cleaner. Once you're done, just apply some leather cleaner and conditioner.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Thanks everyone.

I also found this on another forum:

Quote:

Dye Transfer
Is a common problem on lighter coloured leathers; this can be avoided by regular cleaning and the use of a protector. The transferred dye will ‘sit’ on top of the protection and can then be cleaned off by regular cleaning. Using a solvent on leather that has a stain or dye transfer will do two things;
(a) Cause the dye to 'bleed' into the surface making it even more difficult to remove
(b) Damage the finish requiring replacement.
Dye transfer (from jeans, leather belts, etc) can be very difficult to remove; the longer it is on the leather the harder it will be to remove. Clothing dye normally shows as a greyish bloom in seat area. This is usually caused by dark dye transferring from clothing. Particularly avoid brand new (i.e. never been washed) denim jeans, damp knitwear etc (see Leather Master Strong Effect Cleaner (A-Aniline / Non-Coated) (P-Protected / Coated) (See also Leather Master Super Remover)

Use caution if using Magic Eraser (it contains abrasives) on leather as it has been found to damage the surface of pigmented and covered leather, which may require replacement.

 

[roushstage2]

I've gotten blue jean dye out of leather with some Meguiar's APC+ and a leather brush. Magic eraser's are good, but extreme care must be exercised with them. Use very light pressure.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Tried Woolite... no luck. I guess Magic Eraser is next...

 

[Quattro Pete]

Tried Griot's Interior Cleaner - no go.

Tried Magic Eraser - still no luck.

FYI, the parts where the stains are are actually vinyl, not leather (armrests on door and center console).

 

[SteveSRT8]

use waterless hand cleaner like GoJo.

Pumice kind if it really won't budge.

Be VERY careful.

 

[roushstage2]

Might try a dedicated vinyl cleaner. Those generally work very well in my experience.