How to Clean Leather Sofa with Baking Soda: Here's the Answer

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Hello! If you are here, then you are probably looking for how to clean a leather sofa with baking soda. Most people believe that baking soda and other materials like lemon juice, cream of tartar, and white vinegar can be harsh on the leather. Some have also said that it might even make matters worse. But this is not all true. Baking soda possesses some sort of strange, mysterious power that magically lifts stains off surfaces. It also absorbs moisture and oil, which makes it an excellent material to clean surfaces that are porous (e.g., leather).

However, there is the wrong and right way to do this. This is why we have provided this guide that includes all the instructions to follow. So, if this is for you, don’t hesitate to keep reading.

Instructions

Below is a step-by-step guide on all you need to know about cleaning the leather sofa of your choice. The guide will include the tools you might require during the process, how to dust the sofa, how to use a vacuum to clean the sofa, how to remove stains and avoid ruining the sofa. Let’s begin with the tools that you would need.

Tools you need

The goal is to get your leather sofa looking as new as you had bought it. So, it is advisable to invest in getting the right tools before you begin. Don’t be scared, they are easy to find in local stores around.

Baking soda (about a teaspoon should be enough).
Leather cleaner or conditioner: Ensure that you are purchasing the non-toxic one so that you don’t harm your sofa. You can find good and quality leather conditioners in local stores or from a trusted vendor on amazon. So, they aren’t out of reach.
Microfiber cloths: they are softer and less harsh on the leather. So, this is a good investment.
Mild dish soap
And water (get enough water, but about 100ml will do).

Dust a sofa

Dusting is the first step when cleaning your sofa with baking soda or if you decide to steam-clean your sofa. It helps to remove all the particles that could be hiding inside your couch, which can increase your risk of falling sick or getting dust allergies.

There are different methods to adopt while dusting and the one you choose is entirely up to you. You could decide to use a vacuum cleaner (which is more common), a feather duster, a piece of soft dry cloth, a bristle brush, or a lint roller.

The different methods also depend on the kind of particles that are on the sofa. For fur and lint, a lint roller is better, while for heavy and thick dust patches, a bristle brush would do the job better. Either way, ensure that you are gentle with the sofa while dusting. Don’t brush too hard, and don’t be harsh on the material to avoid causing it more damage.

Use soda bicarbonate

Yes, you guessed right. Bicarbonate soda is the same thing as baking soda. If you are in the US, you probably call it baking soda, while people from the UK, New Zealand, and Australia refer to it as bicarb soda. However, they are the same product. Baking soda has many health benefits as well as household benefits. That is why it is commonly used to remove stains from off surfaces (including leather). The best method to apply the soda bicarbonate to the sofa is not to simply pour it. Sprinkling is a better option.

Sprinkle a small on the surface of the sofa and let it sit for about 20-30 minutes. Pouring a thick layer of baking soda on your leather sofa can ruin your chair and also make it difficult to vacuum off in the next process. So, to avoid this altogether, pour a thin layer using sprinkling as the best method for application.

Use a vacuum

This is the next step after applying the baking soda to your sofa. Using a vacuum helps keep your sofa looking neat, and its sucking ability helps to suck out dirt from even the tiniest corners of the chair.

The vacuum cleaner is best for removing the baking soda off your sofa because it is capable of reaching places that your hands or dusting cloths can’t reach.

Ensure to use a vacuum cleaner with an extension to reach all the sides and corners of the sofa, e.g., a brush extension. Its slightly brittle surface helps to remove the soda that might be stuck onto the leather.

How to remove stains?

Apart from just cleaning your sofa, baking soda can also be used to remove stains from surfaces. Though not all surfaces can withstand the chemical composition of baking soda, it works like magic on the right surface. Here is to remove some common stains with baking soda.

Bloodstain: Yes, baking soda can remove those pesky and annoying blood stains from your cloth in no time. To do this, mix baking soda with a small amount of water to make a thick paste. Then apply the paste onto the damp bloodstain. Allow it to soak up the blood for about an hour and a half, and then you can rinse it off. It works like magic!
Sweat stain: If you sweat a lot and you have a hassle removing the sweat stains from your clothes, then you can opt for baking soda. It will also remove the sweat odor. Prepare the baking soda paste, and apply it to the stained area. Allow it to sit in for about one and half hours to two hours. Then brush off the soda and proceed to wash with regular soap and water.
Stain from wine and fruits: It’s always annoying when wine spills on the table cloth, the sofa, or on your white shirt. But fortunately, you don’t have to get rid of the substance just yet. To remove wine or fruit stain, pour a small amount of baking soda on the stain and then follow through with hot water at the back of the stain.
Vomit stains: To remove vomit stains, sprinkle baking soda on the vomit area, and rub it in to remove the smell. It will also absorb most of the stain so that washing it would become easier.

Tips on avoiding ruining a sofa (spot test)

Spot test refers to the process or act of testing a new product or action on a small area of the material to sample its effect before trying it on the entire surface. In this context, it means trying out the baking soda process on a small area of your sofa before using it on the whole leather surface. You should try this out in an area that is non-visible to the eye, like the back of the chair or under the sofa. It is so that you don’t ruin your favorite sofa while trying to make it clean.

Final thoughts

Now that you know all about how to clean a leather sofa with baking soda, you can try it out. Remember to do a spot test before trying anything new. You don’t want to end up permanently ruining furniture. Moreover, you can also use baking soda for other stains. Just follow the process above, and you’ll be fine. Again, remember to do a spot test before trying anything.