Why do leather garments smell?
What a good question, right? There's an explanation for everything, as we'll see below, but don't worry, there's a solution. Keep reading to discover our tricks for eliminating these odors.
Leather is produced from tanned animal hides, which is why products made from this material often give off a peculiar odor. This isn't harmful and is quite natural, but sometimes it's unpleasant due to its intensity.
A very common question we get from our customers is how they can remove the leather smell from their items. And as we always say, at La Tendeta del Cuero we love listening to you, and that's why we're going to give you some tips on how to eliminate the leather smell from your items. Since leather is used to make countless items such as jackets, bags, wallets, backpacks, belts, sofas, fanny packs, etc., it can be annoying when you enter your home, a room, or open a closet.
Today we'll share some tips on how to remove the smell of leather. Keep in mind that not all types of leather can be cleaned equally, as depending on how it's been treated, it can even be damaged. Therefore, if you have any questions, please contact us, and we'll provide you with advice without obligation.
If you want to know what type of leather the product you are holding is, you can check our Guide to Leather Types and Finishes .
TIP #1: LET TIME PASS TO ELIMINATE THE LEATHER SMELL
It may seem obvious, but there are garments that will retain the smell for years!!!
It is not normal, but sometimes it can happen that they last so long depending on the type of tanning they have used.
For example, there are items or garments made with leather from Morocco or India, where camel urine is often used along with other ingredients to tan the leather. This is why some leathers have a stronger odor than others, or they last longer.
Let's say it's domestic or European leather. The best advice we can give you, and the least damaging to your leather, is to let the smell dissipate over time.
The downside to this advice is that you need to be patient… However, there are other, more immediate and effective remedies that will help us eliminate the leather smell. At the end of this article, we show you a professional-grade odor-eliminating product.
TIP #2: AIR YOUR LEATHER CLOTHES OUTDOORS
This is the simplest and most economical way. You just need to let it air dry for about 2-3 days. However, avoid direct sunlight, as this would ruin the color, and avoid rain or humidity, as the leather should not get wet.
It is also the safest technique to prevent skin damage caused by improper application of products.
TIP #3: WATER AND VINEGAR MIXTURE TO ELIMINATE LEATHER ODOR
If the leather smell is extremely strong, you can wipe it with a cloth dampened with a mixture of warm water and a little vinegar. After doing this, it's a good idea to let the leather air out, which will also eliminate the vinegar smell. Once dry, it can be stored in its original place.
TIP #4 - COFFEE TO REMOVE THE LEATHER SMELL
Another way to remove the smell of leather is by using coffee. Use coffee beans, not ground coffee, as this can stain the leather.
It consists of placing the leather object and the coffee beans almost hermetically in a bag or container; a handful would be enough.
We must ensure that they are evenly distributed by shaking the bag or container and leaving it sealed for at least 24 hours. After this time, let it air out for a few hours, and both the leather and coffee scents will disappear.
TIP #5 - BAKING SODA POWDER AS AN ODORS ABSORBER
Baking soda powder has many uses for cleaning the home or for various digestive system ailments. We can also use it as an odor absorber, as it is one of the best products for this purpose.
Place the leather item in a cardboard box, cover it with baking soda, and let it sit for at least 4 or 5 days. Vacuum up the baking soda, and the smell should be gone.
Important: Do not use water to rinse as this could damage your skin.
TIP #6- NEWSPAPER
Because paper is more porous than leather, it's excellent at absorbing odors. You should wrap your leather products in newspaper or packing paper.
The paper fibers act as “wicks” that eliminate odors from the leather. We recommend leaving the leather wrapped in newspapers for at least 24-48 hours.
TIP #7 - LEATHER AND TEXTILE ODOR ELIMINATOR
If all the above tips haven't been effective, you can turn to professional products.
At La Tendeta del Cuero, we have a professional-grade product that effectively eliminates strong leather odors without damaging them. This is Leather and Textile Odor Eliminator.
This product is applied directly to the garment or leather product using the spray bottle, moistening it without soaking it. Store it in its container or box until you are ready to use it again.
We'll repeat the process until we get the desired result. Plus, take advantage of our ongoing promotion and get a 12% discount and free shipping (mainland Spain only).
And that's it for our tips on how to eliminate the smell of leather. We hope you found them helpful.
Greetings and see you next time!!