Leather is a material made of tanned animal hide. It is used to make jackets, furniture, shoes, purses, belts and many other products. Although leather is a very durable material, it is more difficult to clean than natural or synthetic fibers. Leather grain can soak up strong smells, such as smoke, food odor, sweat, perfume, mildew or the “new leather smell” from the tanning process. Getting these smells out of leather may require some trial and error, and when in doubt, you can always get the leather professionally cleaned to avoid damaging the item.

1. Dry out wet leather right away. If the leather is wet, or appears to be covered in mold or mildew, you need to remove any dampness quickly. The moisture can damage the leather permanently and create a smell that will be very difficult to get out. There are several simple methods for drying out the leather:

  • Place the leather in a spot in your home that gets indirect sun. Direct contact with harsh sunlight can cause the leather to crack, chip and wear out. Choose a spot that is by a window that filters sunlight or that is behind a screen.
  • Use a blow-dryer on a low heat setting. Avoid bringing the blow-dryer too close to the leather as this can cause it to crack or chip. Run the blow-dryer at a distance over the leather to soak up the moisture and prevent big water stains on the leather.
  • Use a clean dry cloth to wipe the leather dry, especially if you are trying to treat a pair of leather shoes, a leather jacket, or a leather purse. Skip alcohol based products or odor-masking products, like perfume, and use a clean dry cloth to give the item a good wipe. The chemicals in these products can get into the pores of the leather and possibly damage the item.

2. Pack the leather item in newspaper or packing paper. The porous quality of newspaper and packing paper means they are both great for absorbing any bad smells in your leather item. Always check that the leather item is completely dry and that you are using dry newspapers. The loose fiber in newspaper makes it softer and more absorbent than other options, like office paper.

  • Crumple up several sheets of newspaper in a box and place the leather item in the newspaper. Close the box and leave it sealed for one to two days.
  • Check the leather item to see if the newspaper has effectively drawn out the bad smell. You may need to leave the item in the newspaper for another day.

3. Clean the leather with a vinegar solution. The acid in the vinegar will help to counteract bad odors and the smell of the vinegar, which could be a bad odor to some, will also dissipate with the any other bad smells in the leather.

  • Before you use any acid based cleanser on the leather item, do a spot test to make sure it won’t discolor the leather. Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Choose a very small area on the item and dab the vinegar solution on the leather. If there is no discoloration or cracking on the leather, proceed with cleaning the item with the vinegar solution.
  • Use a clean cloth to wipe the surface of the leather with the vinegar solution.
  • You can also use a spray bottle to spray the leather with the vinegar solution and then wipe it clean with a cloth.