Cleaning leather

How to Get Rid of Leather Smell

 
Mary Smith
By Mary Smith. Updated: December 4, 2025
How to Get Rid of Leather Smell
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You can get rid of leather smell by using bicarbonate of soda, water and soda, or white vinegar. We are going to explain how below.

Often, leather goods give off an unpleasant odour that can be irritating to some people. Particularly if the material is new, it can take a long time for the leather smell to disappear by itself. Therefore, it might be a good idea to take some measures to get rid of leather smell from your bag, backpack, shoes, purse, jacket or whatever your leather product may be. For some useful tips and tricks, keep on reading the following article: how to get rid of leather smell.

You may also be interested in: How to Get Grease Out Of a Suede Couch
Contents
  1. Get rid of leather smell using baking soda
  2. Get rid of leather smell with water and soda
  3. Get rid of leather smell with white vinegar

Get rid of leather smell using baking soda

Besides being very useful for general housekeeping, and as a digestive remedy, baking soda is one of the most potent natural deodorisers. It is therefore invaluable when it comes to removing the smell of leather.

There are several different methods for using baking soda to remove the leather smell. One is to place the leather material in a cardboard box and cover it with the baking soda to absorb the odour. Leave it covered for four or five days and then remove all baking soda. You will get rid of leather smell.

Additionally, you can sprinkle baking soda directly onto the leather item, letting it sit overnight. In the morning, simply vacuum or brush off the residue. This technique is particularly effective for larger items like furniture.

How to Get Rid of Leather Smell - Get rid of leather smell using baking soda
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Get rid of leather smell with water and soda

Another top tip for getting rid of leather smell is to dissolve several tablespoons of baking soda in a glass of water and soak some gauze or cotton pads in the mixture. Next, place your leather handbag, shoes, wallets, purses in a cotton or plastic bag along with the soaked gauze and close the box or bag.

The aim here is the same as in the previous case: the baking soda should absorb the smell of leather and leave your garment or accessory smell-free.

For a more prolonged effect, you can also add a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender or lemon, to the baking soda solution. This not only helps in neutralizing the odor but also leaves a pleasant scent on your leather goods.

How to Get Rid of Leather Smell - Get rid of leather smell with water and soda
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Get rid of leather smell with white vinegar

In addition, you could opt for white vinegar to get rid of leather smell quickly and easily, given that this natural product also has powerful deodorising properties. Simply dilute one part vinegar to five parts water to slightly wet the leather accessory or clothing by pouring it into a sprayer and spraying liberally. Then, let it air-dry in a ventilated room (or outside).

To enhance the deodorizing process, consider first wiping the leather surface with a damp cloth to remove any surface dust. After applying the vinegar solution, you can repeat the process if necessary, ensuring the leather is completely dry between applications.

You might also want to discover how to remove smell from clothes without washing.

How to Get Rid of Leather Smell - Get rid of leather smell with white vinegar
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If you want to read similar articles to How to Get Rid of Leather Smell, we recommend you visit our Home cleaning category.

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How to Get Rid of Leather Smell