Clean Light Leather With Vinegar

[Steven B.]

Has anyone ever cleaned light colored seats with vinegar? I have used white vinegar on black leather to remove mildew but never on light, oyster, smoke, light tan or white. Does it degrade the color on light colored seats/steering wheels?

Thanks!

Steve

[Sandra H.]

Re: Clean Light Leather With Vinegar

Hi Steve,
I have light saddle tan leather front room furniture......I use (2%)milk to initially clean light spots, then follow up with a scrubbing using soap with glycerin, such as Pears. Easy on the scrubbing....use a soft brush.
I know this sounds bizarre, but after long experience with kids and animals, this really seems to work.
Vinegar, I think, tends to dry leather out too much.
I've used saddle soap too, but don't like it much.....and I find commercial leather cleaners to be awfully expensive.
Hope it works for you.....
Cheers, Sandy

[Steven B.]

Re: Clean Light Leather With Vinegar

Thanks Sandy! I seem to recall that I heard about milk somewhere. I will give it a try. I got the white vinegar from an ACD restorer/salad maker. It works on mildew, mold, and dark, set stains. You just use a small amount on a cotton cloth. I should have included that if you are just cleaning with it you have to follow up with a good conditioner. If dyeing the leather a good dye should have a moisturizing agent. The guy I got dye from has lanolin based dyes.

Thanks Again!

Steve

Did you get your seat track solved? Let us know because I have a freind with a '59 who is experiencing the same problem.

[Sandra H.]

Re: Clean Light Leather With Vinegar

I agree, Steve, you do have to use a conditioner after cleaning.....either lanolin, like saddle soap, or glycerin, like Pears soap.
There's a fine line between getting stains out and lifting the leather dye, but I just got done cleaning a couch and had to use milk with a scotch brite pad.
I've used a product called Leather Balm as a final finish and it buffs out nice, but it has silicone in it that can discolor leather in the sun (such as car interior). Don't ask how I know this.
So, still looking for something that has just lanolin and carnuba wax.....or maybe will just make up a batch of that combo and try it.
Haven't addressed the car track thing yet........my art show season starts in early March, so that will have to wait.
I have to remove the entire interior, plus windshield, etc. so I'm thinking it might be a good time to paint the car first.(?) It may be awhile before I get to the seat track.
Beginning to get a clear picture of how this progresses into a body off restoration.
Cheers, Sandy

[James W.]

Re: Clean Light Leather With Vinegar

I only use KIWI brand saddle soap with warm water and a sponge on my light tan (parchment) colored leather seats in my pickup and it works great.

James West

[Sandra H.]

Re: Clean Light Leather With Vinegar

Hi Steve,
The seat rail problem.....I assume you are referring to not being able to slide the seat forward far enough to reach pedals?
I've been fooling around with seat pads, and believe that's the way I will go.
Once the existing seats are recovered with new foam and springs, a coupld of 'booster pads' will probably do it without extending seat rails.
Don't know if this helps you any.
Best, Sandy

[Steven B.]

Re: Clean Light Leather With Vinegar

Hi Steve,
The seat rail problem.....I assume you are referring to not being able to slide the seat forward far enough to reach pedals?
I've been fooling around with seat pads, and believe that's the way I will go.
Once the existing seats are recovered with new foam and springs, a coupld of 'booster pads' will probably do it without extending seat rails.
Don't know if this helps you any.
Best, Sandy

Sandy, I think you are on the right track with the pads versus moving the tracks. My Mom had problems with their '78 (automatic) not being able to reach the pedals or wheel. She put a couple of small pillows behind her and it worked. As for my friend---he just sold his '59 to his son-in-law.

Good Luck!

Steve