We started working on this article a year ago and put it on hold because we thought the vaccines were out and within a few months everything would be under control and the article would no longer be timely. Alas, if only that were true. At this point we are almost two years into the Corona virus and it looks like it will be with us for some time.
Porous surfaces tend to kill virus’s quicker than non-porous surfaces, so you’re metal door handles, laminate or granite counter tops, plastics, and even fabrics can harbor viral material. You can easy wipe down a counter top, but what do you do about your clothing – especially materials that are not easily laundered by traditional means?
Many disinfectants and other chemicals are too harsh to use on leather. While bleach and hydrogen peroxide are very effective at killing the virus, you should NEVER use these on leather or vinyl fabrics as it will damage the material.
Alcohol with at least 70% alcohol solution are effective against killing the corona virus but are they safe? Most leathers and imitation leathers have urethane coatings for protection, which is safe to clean with alcohol. But over time, cleaning leather with alcohol can leave it susceptible to damage and discoloration and ultimately we do not recommend it.
So what can you use? Vigorous washing with soap and water will destroy the corona virus. The virus’ are surrounded by a protective envelope that helps them to infect other cells, and destroying that envelope will cause them to die and render the virus ineffective. Soap and water is safe for leather and vinyl, but be careful not to scrub too hard. If the leather has been dyed, then scrubbing too hard could remove the die.
Sometimes well intention-ed people will think that a light colored leather is dirty because the tone is getting darker and they will scrub it vigorously only to find that it continues to darken. Essentially they are removing the dye that was responsible for the lighter hue of the leather.
The best way to clean leather is with a small amount of water and detergent and lightly scrub the material. Micro fiber clothes are helpful to ensure that the rubbing is not too rough. Also, micro fiber material consists of tiny little loops that capture and sweep away dirt and dust particles before they can scratch delicate or shiny plastic surfaces. If using a liquid detergent try to find one that has no color additives and is 100% clear.
Lastly, corona virus is primarily transmitted via air particles and your hands. We recommend that you spot clean your leather and vinyl fabrics when needed and focus on keeping your hands clean and following CDC guidelines for preventing airborne transmission.
The article does a good job correcting the instinct to sanitize everything with harsh chemicals. Leather clearly needs a more measured approach than typical household surfaces.
It’s useful that you addressed both real and imitation leather together since many people don’t know which they have. The guidance applies broadly without overcomplicating things.
I didn’t realize porous materials can actually inactivate the virus faster than non-porous ones, that flipped my assumptions about countertops versus fabrics. The warning about bleach and peroxide ruining leather is especially helpful.
I didn’t know microfiber has loop structures that lift debris before scratching surfaces. That makes a lot of sense for maintaining both leather and adjacent plastics.
The detail about urethane coatings explains why some leathers tolerate light cleaning better than others. It would be interesting to know how to identify coated versus uncoated pieces.
Interesting that you recommend clear, dye-free detergents. I hadn’t considered that colored soaps might transfer or affect leather finishes over time.
Your emphasis on spot cleaning instead of constant disinfecting feels practical. It’s easy to overdo it and end up harming the leather more than helping.
Focusing on hand hygiene and CDC guidelines at the end keeps the advice grounded. Cleaning leather is helpful, but it shouldn’t distract from the main transmission routes.
I appreciate the reminder that microfiber cloths aren’t just soft but actually trap particles. That detail helps justify using them instead of just any rag.
The comparison between cleaning hard surfaces and clothing highlights a real gap in common advice. Most guidance ignores materials like leather that can’t just be tossed in a washer.
The explanation about urethane coatings on most leathers made the alcohol question clearer. I’ve been wiping my jacket with alcohol wipes and didn’t think about long-term discoloration risk.
The soap and water explanation tied to the virus envelope was simple but effective. It’s reassuring that something gentle can still be effective if done correctly.
The note about alcohol being technically effective but not recommended long-term is balanced. It answers the question without encouraging habits that could damage expensive materials.
The reminder that darker appearance can be from dye loss rather than dirt was eye-opening. It explains why some items look worse after aggressive cleaning.
Your caution about not scrubbing too hard is important, especially since people equate more pressure with better cleaning. That’s not always true with delicate finishes.
I like how you clarified that transmission is mostly airborne and via hands. It puts the leather cleaning advice into perspective so people don’t obsess over surfaces unnecessarily.
I’ve always wondered about using hydrogen peroxide on faux leather, so the clear “never use” guidance is helpful. That could have saved me from ruining a bag.
Good point about people over-scrubbing light leather when it darkens. I’ve seen that happen on a sofa and never connected it to dye removal rather than actual dirt buildup.