Leather odors can be relatively easy to deal with on a small scale, but on a large scale they can seem completely impossible. Good quality leather will smell pretty strong for several years, really. So the real question to ask yourself is: Are you sure you want to remove the leather smell from your leather products? Some people actually find the smell of leather quite sexy, and it’s a good indicator that your leather is of a high caliber. Who doesn’t want that leather smell on their leather goods?
But to each their own, and if you prefer your leather product (be it a jacket, car upholstery, sofa or even your bag) to smell like something completely different, then follow the hints and tips below. . For what it’s worth, you’ve got something made from animal skin. You should probably expect it to smell like animal fur.
Elimination of leather odors
* The only true cure (pardon the pun) for leathery musk is age; wait for the smell to wear off as the leather ages, that is. You could probably mask it with something else, but putting something on the leather will probably make it take longer for the smell to go away.
* Masking agents are often used to try to eliminate problematic odors. The problem with a masking agent is that it does exactly that, it “masks” or hides the leather smell; it won’t remove it.
Masking agents are often oil based and can leave a residue on the materials being treated. Masking agents can also trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people, such as runny nose and itchy watery eyes. A masking agent will also dissipate over time and the original leather odor may return, so use it with caution.
Potpourri, air fresheners, The Body Shop Scents, a particularly fragrant shampoo, perfumes, lemon juice, and more are just a few of the many examples you can use to mask that animal-skin stench.
* You may want to go to a tack (horse supply) store, if there is one nearby, and ask them for help. There are all kinds of leather conditioners and cleaners out there, and some of them can help cover up the smell. Murphy’s oil soap, which is always the one cowboys use to clean saddles and boots, might work too (besides making leather shine), but then again, many of those same cowboys usually try to keep the smell of leather!
* On a small scale, leather odors can be removed by simply placing the garment or leather product in an airtight container with baking soda for a few days. However, this restorative treatment may or may not work on this particular odor and is certainly not possible on a large scale.
*Here’s another baking soda hack; Put your leather item in a bag/pillowcase. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on it. Close the bag, shake it well, and then leave it there for at least twenty-four hours. The baking soda should help absorb some of the odors.
* You can also put your leather item in a plastic bag with crumpled up newspaper for a few days; It should absorb the smell. This is also part of the reason why some shoe stores put newspaper inside their leather products (in addition to preventing the shoe from becoming misshapen due to voids inside).
* Activated charcoal can work just as well as the newspaper method, but you don’t want it touching your leather item because it will ruin and stain its surface.
* You can also sponge the jacket with ¼ cup of white vinegar in a bucket or sink of water. Sponge your beloved leather jacket with the solution. Rinse afterwards, then apply the vinegar solution again, then rinse once more and hang to dry somewhere out of direct sunlight as heat can damage leather.
The vinegar will condition and clean the leather and eliminate odors, or at least it will once its own acidity has dissipated from the leather item. You can do this once in a while or when it gets really dirty.
* You can also place pandan leaves on your smelly leather item. Pandan (P. amaryllifolius) leaves are used in Southeast Asian cuisine to add a distinctive aroma to rice and curry dishes such as nasi lemak, kaya preserves (“jam”), and desserts such as pandan cake.
The fresh leaves are usually cut into strips, tied in a knot for easy removal, placed in the cooking liquid, and then removed at the end of cooking. In some places you can buy dried leaves and bottled extract.
* You can also substitute Febreze with most cleaning agents here. Febreze uses a chemical compound called cyclodextrin that has been used in household cleaning and cleaning products for quite some time.
The sugar-like substance does not necessarily “clean” odors from leather, but rather acts like an absorbent baking soda or crumpled up newspaper, to help remove the odor from leather.
* You can also soak leather clothing in a bucket of bleach, isopropyl alcohol, or an ammonia solution for about an hour. Then you will discover that the bad smell has been replaced by a charming hospital smell that will certainly attract the nostrils of the young gentlemen. A new application of leather conditioner may be necessary afterwards.
However, here are some words of caution; Be sure to do a color fastness test on the leather to make sure it won’t fade due to bleach. It would also be advisable to use oxygen bleach instead of chlorine bleach to prevent discoloration and drying in the first place.
Leather FAQ
What is the difference between full grain, top grain, genuine and bonded leather?
Not all leather is the same and it is important to understand the differences when shopping for leather products. Leather is a natural material. It is strong, breathes, insulates and molds to your body. It is a combination of beauty and strength. However, how beautiful and how strong are influenced by the source, cut and process of the leather.
* Full Grain Leather – This is the best leather money can buy. It is taken from the top layer of leather and shows the natural markings and grain of the leather. The natural surface of full grain leathers burnishes and beautifies with use. Full grain leather polishes over time.
This is the exceptional leather used in thick leather goods and leather accessories. Premium quality cow and water buffalo hides are extremely strong and durable. It is used in luxury briefcases and expensive saddles and bridles.
It is this type of leather that has the most “musk” of all other types. This sought after (or not so sought after) scent sets it apart from all the rest.
* Top Grain Leather – This is the second highest grade of leather. Top grain leather is separated from the top layer of stained leather and sanded and refinished. Premium leather does not polish or beautify with use, but is just as strong and durable as full-grain leather.
* Bonded Leather: Bonded leather is the underside of leather. Suede scraps are ground together with glue and coated in a process similar to vinyl manufacturing. Bonded leather is weak and degrades quickly with use.
* Genuine Leather: This is produced from the layers of leather that remain after the upper is separated for the best qualities. These weaker undercoats are known as chamois. (Not to be confused with the fuzzy finish, also known as “suede”). The suede surface is usually restored to look like a higher grade. It can be smooth or rough. Caution: The inferior quality of genuine leather becomes apparent with use.