Lysol wipes and sprays are common products used to clean and disinfect a variety of surfaces. If you have a leather couch or leather chairs, you may wonder whether you can use Lysol to clean leather furniture, too. Maybe even the leather interior of your car and other leather goods, such as your jacket and shoes. Is it a good idea?
Main Topics
Can You Use Lysol On Leather?
You can use Lysol on leather, but only sporadically. The best way to clean leather furniture is with saddle soap or another neutral cleaner. Lysol wipes can provide a quick fix when you have to clean spills or stubborn stains, but the alcohol in the wipes can dry up and damage leather goods.
Can You Use Lysol On Leather Couches?
Using Lysol (or other disinfectants containing alcohol) on genuine leather is not recommended. The alcohol can have various effects on real leather, ranging from a damaged topcoat – which could result in color transfer if the leather is dyed – to breaking down fibers that lead to cracking, flaking, or peeling.
If you want to use Lysol on stubborn stains or to disinfect the couch, always use Lysol wipes which have a lower alcohol concentration (58%) compared to Lysol Disinfectant Spray (79%).
You should also avoid letting the disinfectant dry on the leather – wipe it off with a damp cloth and dry with a soft microfiber cloth before applying a moisturizer.
Can You Use Lysol Wipes On Fake Leather?
Fake leather is made from a plastic base that is then treated with polyurethane, wax, and dye to create the leather’s color and texture.
Depending on the fake leather range, you could be able to use Lysol wipes or spray to disinfect faux leather goods or remove severe stains. However, the alcohol in Lysol wipes could damage the wax coating of some faux leather products, with effects similar to those of genuine leather.
The easiest way to tell how to clean and disinfect your fake leather couch or chairs is to read the product label. If you don’t have it, test the effects of Lysol on a small area before cleaning the entire piece of furniture.
How To Disinfect Your Leather Couch?
Whether you want to disinfect a leather couch or just make sure it’s deep-cleaned, wiping a Lysol tissue on it isn’t the proper way to do it. Follow the steps below to sanitize your leather couch (or seats or car interior) without damaging it.
Things You Will Need:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Microfiber cloth
- Soft sponge or brush
- Saddle soap or mild shampoo
- Hot water
- Leather moisturizer
1. Clean The Dry Deposits
When buying a leather couch, most people think that it won’t gather as much dust as a sofa made of textile materials. However, dust can easily gather in all the nooks and crevices in your leather couch. Debris, such as crumbs, can also find its way behind the cushions, especially if you like to munch on snacks while lounging on the couch.
Thus, the first step to cleaning and sanitizing your leather couch is to get rid of as many dry deposits as possible.
The easiest way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner. Use the furniture brush and the long nozzle attachment to remove the dust and debris.
2. Clean The Couch With Soap
Leather, especially genuine leather, reacts to chemicals in the same way our skin does. Alcohol and vinegar can dry it; this is why your best bet is to clean it with saddle soap or soapy water.
Saddle soap is your best option. This product is formulated specifically to clean and condition leather in a single step.
Apply a small quantity of product onto a clean washcloth and rub it into the leather. Mentally dividing the couch into areas and working on small zones at a time can improve the results.
As you’re rubbing the product, saddle soap will remove superficial stains and get absorbed into the leather, moisturizing it. Wipe the couch with a dry, clean cloth when you’re done to remove any excess.
If you don’t have saddle soap, soapy water is the second-best option.
Open the windows and doors to ensure airflow. Dilute one part mild hair shampoo in three parts water, and wash the couch with this mixture using a soft sponge or washcloth. Again, divide the item into smaller areas for easier cleaning.
3. Sanitize The Couch
If you cleaned the couch with soapy water, sanitize it as you’re wiping the shampoo off the couch. Use plain but hot water (as hot as you can use it without burning your hands).
Wipe the soap off with a cloth or sponge. You should use two water buckets, one with hot water to wipe the shampoo off your couch and another one to rinse the cloth frequently before dipping it in the clean, hot water again.
Let the couch air-dry when you’re done. In the cold season, you can speed up the process with a fan or a hair dryer – as long as you’re keeping it at least eight inches from the leather surface.
4. Condition The Leather
Once the couch is dry, condition the leather with a leather moisturizer, wax, or oil. Apply a small quantity onto a clean microfiber cloth and rub the product on the leather until it is completely absorbed. Use a circular motion while applying the product for the best results.
2 Reasons To Use Lysol Wipes On Leather
As explained, using Lysol wipes or spray on leather isn’t a good idea. However, there are two circumstances when using Lysol can save you a lot of trouble:
To Manage Red Wine Spills
Red wine is one of the most popular drinks, and if you like it, you probably know how stubborn red wine stains can be. A dried red wine stain on a light-colored leather couch can be almost impossible to remove, but Lysol wipes could soften the stain and get rid of it. Remember to rinse the spot immediately with clean water and condition it with leather cream or wax to prevent damage.
To Prevent Staining The Leather With Grease
Another situation when Lysol wipes come in handy is when you drop greasy foods on the couch (including chips, nachos, and other snacks). The oil and grease in these foods can soak into the leather and stain it permanently. You can minimize the damage by degreasing the spot with a Lysol wipe, then clean and moisturize following the steps above.
FAQs
Does Lysol destroy leather?
Yes, Lysol can destroy leather, whether real or faux. All Lysol disinfectants contain alcohol, a substance that will compromise the bonding agent on the leather topcoat. Alcohol also dries out the natural oils of genuine leather and breaks down the fibers in both real and faux leather. Ultimately, constant exposure to alcohol will lead to discoloration, braking, cracking, peeling, or flaking.
Can you use Lysol on leather car seats?
Leather car seats are similar to the leather furniture in your home. You should only use Lysol wipes to clean grease or other stubborn stains, but you should rinse and moisturize the spot immediately after using a disinfectant wipe.
Final Thoughts
Lysol is an excellent disinfectant but not the best choice for cleaning and sanitizing leather furniture. To keep your leather couch, seats, and car interior in top condition, clean the items regularly with saddle soap or soapy water. Don’t forget to moisturize the leather after each cleaning session to prevent cracking and peeling.
