Last update: 2 weeks ago
White leather sofas are an elegant and bold choice that can make every room look sleek and modern. But it also takes a brave soul to buy a white couch because its colour is the perfect background for all kinds of stains. Dust, dirt, fingerprints, pet hair, and food stains all pop out perfectly on white leather. And if you have children at home, the chances of getting the couch stained or damaged grow exponentially.
But it’s not only about the colour, but also about the material. Even though leather is a sturdy material, the surface is porous, which means it captures oils, and all kinds of dirt can stick to it for good. If you don’t cover it or take regular care of it, you can end up with a yellowed white leather couch in just a few years.
While you can buy expensive leather cleaning detergents, they often contain toxic ingredients, which can cause skin irritations and other unpleasant symptoms. A good alternative is to clean your white leather couch with a homemade cleaner from ingredients you already have in your home.
What can you use to clean a white leather sofa?
White leather might look a bit high-maintenance, but it’s actually pretty low-key — it just needs a gentle hand. You don’t need loads of products to keep it clean. Bicarbonate of soda is handy for lifting light marks and soaking up smells, especially after a takeaway or if your pets treat the sofa like their personal bed.
For regular cleaning, warm water, a small drop of mild soap, and a soft microfibre cloth usually do the trick. If the leather starts to look a bit flat or tired, a cleaner made for white or light leather can help, followed by a leather conditioner to keep it soft and comfy rather than dry and stiff.
What should you not use on a white leather sofa?
This is where things can go wrong. Bleach is an obvious no, but baby wipes, disinfectant sprays, cream cleaners, and neat vinegar can be just as damaging. They can strip the finish and leave patchy marks or discolouration behind. It’s also best to avoid anything too rough or too wet — scrubbing brushes, abrasive cloths, and lots of water can all scuff the leather or dry it out. When it comes to white leather, being gentle always works better than giving it a hard scrub.
How to clean a white leather couch with baking soda?
Baking soda is a magical powder that not only lifts off all kinds of stains but also absorbs moisture and oils, which makes it perfect for cleaning porous surfaces like leather. So, how to clean a leather sofa with baking soda?
- Make a cleaning solution.
You’ll need 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of Borax (a common non-toxic household chemical commonly used in laundry and cleaning products) and around 100ml of water. Place the baking soda and Borax in a bowl, pour the water and stir until the components mix. Depending on the sofa or stain size, you can adjust the number of ingredients.
- Apply the solution to the couch using a sponge or a clean cloth.
Dip it in the bowl, then apply on the stain or area you want to treat and gently rub until it dissolves or the area regains its original colour. Be careful not to scratch the leather surface.
- Wipe fresh spills using a mild detergent and a soft cloth.
You can use soapy water prepared with very small amount of dish detergent for fresh stains.
- Clean any tougher spots with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
The sponge or rag can do a great job on flat surfaces, but you’ll need a smaller tool for hidden spots like stitches, crevices, zippers, and all the places where various parts of the couch meet. The toothbrush is perfect because it’s small and can easily reach all those places.
- Wipe the couch’s surface with a clean cloth until it’s completely dry.
It’s not a good idea to leave cleaning solution residue on leather because it can damage the fabric in the long term.
Remember always to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean the sofa.
Tackling stains & marks on a white leather sofa
White leather looks amazing… right up until the first spill, scuff, or mystery mark appears. If you’ve ever stared at your sofa thinking, “How did that get there?”, you’re not alone. The good news? Most everyday marks are fixable if you’re gentle and don’t panic-clean.
- Grease stains – A dropped crisp, buttery popcorn fingers, a late-night takeaway – grease happens. Sprinkle a bit of bicarbonate of soda or cornflour over the stain and let it sit for a few hours. It quietly pulls the oil out of the leather. Once it’s done its job, gently brush or wipe it away. No scrubbing, white leather really doesn’t like that.
- Ink marks – Pens have a talent for exploding on sofas at the worst possible moment. If you catch it early, lightly dab the mark with a cotton bud and a tiny amount of rubbing alcohol. Go slowly and stop as soon as the ink starts lifting. This is very much a less is more situation.
- Scuffs and shoe marks – Those greyish marks that seem to appear from nowhere? Often just shoe scuffs. A clean white rubber eraser works surprisingly well here. Gently rub the mark, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to get rid of any eraser bits.
How to clean a white leather couch that has yellowed?
Many people get tricked by the good looks of white leather sofas, and they don’t realise that this particular type of furniture is prone to yellowing if not properly cared for.
They usually notice when it’s already too late, and the appearance of the couch has already started to diminish. Here are some tips to help you delay the yellowing process and enjoy your white leather couch for a little longer:
What causes the yellowing on white leather sofas?
A natural oxidation process causes the yellowing of white leather pieces. In simpler words, it’s what leather does when exposed to elements like air, dust and sun over time. Oxidation is a chemical term used to describe the breakdown of the fibres that occurs during this interaction.
All types of leather go through that process, but it’s especially visible on white leather for obvious reasons. While it’s impossible to prevent this process from happening, you can do a lot to slow it down. For instance, keeping the leather well oiled with proper furniture conditioners (like Leather Milk) is a good first step towards preventing yellowing from happening.
Restoring yellowed white leather
Cleaning the couch with the baking soda solution will efficiently take care of many types of stains on white leather, but it won’t help you restore yellowed leather.
Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do to reverse the oxidation process once it has begun. Some people appreciate the sight of aged leather and understand that yellowing is just a part of the ageing process.
If you’re not one of them, regular cleaning and moisturising the leather are good precautions that will help you protect it from getting that yellow tint and keep the white glow of your couch for years.
How to keep your leather couch in good condition?
White leather couches are expensive and very delicate, so you need to pay extra attention to yours if you want to keep them in good condition for longer. Here are some tips which will help you remove stains without damage and prolong the lifespan of your white leather.
You can resort to placing a cover over your leather sofa. They hide the beautiful looks of the leather, but they also keep it protected for years to come, and you won’t have to clean them as often.
Avoid sitting in jeans on the couch. All types of coloured denim can stain light-coloured leather pieces thanks to a process called “dye transfer”. The same applies to placing newspapers and magazines on the leather couch – the ink print can be easily transferred from the paper to the leather.
Do you need a helping hand?
Hire a professional cleaning team!
Takeaways
- Read the manufacturer’s label for instructions on cleaning the sofa.
- Wipe down the couch with a soft cloth to remove any loose dirt and dust, before applying the cleaning detergent.
- Make sure to clean it regularly with a leather care kit and dust it with a soft cloth at least twice a week.
- Allow the couch to dry fully after cleaning before using it.
- You can always hire a professional upholstery cleaning team. They have all the right solutions.
