One common thing with all households is disinfecting items and surfaces, and the process doesn’t get any easier. However, many people use Clorox wipes to clean surfaces, as the isopropyl alcohol in this product helps eradicate germs.
Most leather lovers who seek excellent cleaning methods would want to know if such an anti-germ product can work for this delicate material. So, can you use Clorox wipes on leather?
Clorox wipes do not appear as the best option for keeping leather items clean, as specific leather products can do the job while protecting the natural oils of this animal hide. Here’s what you should know before attempting to clean your leather furniture with this household cleaning product.
Can You Use Clorox Wipes On Leather?
Germs are common and are everywhere; hence the reason such products like Clorox wipes come in handy. It is an excellent option for cleaning different surfaces to disinfect them. You would find this product having a bleach-free formula that contains ammonia, alcohol, and phenol.
Thus, most persons purchase these wipes and employ them for wiping countertops, bathtubs, toilet seats, sinks, and plastic surfaces. There is no mention of leather among the list of surfaces this product’s manufacturer suggests you can clean with Clorox.
What effect does Clorox have on leather? These and similar questions are common amongst most persons keen on ascertaining if this household cleaning wipe, Clorox, would be suitable for disinfecting leather surfaces.
The answer is no; you shouldn’t use this cleaning product to wipe porous surfaces in its form. But, with a few tricks, some folks have “wiped” their leather with Clorox without issues.
Misusing them could destroy the leather or leave an undesirable scent behind. Thus, conducting a spot test beforehand is recommendable, ensuring this product would not damage your leather.
Pros of Using Clorox Wipes On Leather
If you are keen on using Clorox wipes on leather, you must do so with care to keep the leather material in good condition. With that, here are some merits of using Clorox wipes on leather items.
Clorox Comes in Handy for Removing Stains
Rubbing alcohol has been one common solution many leather enthusiasts employ for removing scuffs, fingerprints, and even pen stains on leather. This blend is often “applied” sparingly to preserve the texture of the leather material while getting rid of such stains.
Since Clorox contains alcohol, this piece can remove stains from leather and get rid of accumulated dirt on the product’s surface. All you have to do is to conduct an instant cleaning, wiping in small circular motions, and expect those pesky marks to disappear.
It Works for Faux Leather
Can you use Clorox wipes on fake leather? While most persons scamper to find effective solutions on “how to disinfect leather,” you would find Clorox wipes working pretty well for faux leather.
If you have an upholstered item within your home manufactured from faux leather or vinyl, you can always clean them with Clorox since they are nonporous.
Such Product Can Eradicate Lint
Lint fibers can be pretty common on leather furniture, especially with pets around. The sight of such can be pretty frustrating, as you yearn to keep a clean surface. Not to worry, Clorox can be helpful in such situations.
Thanks to the wipe’s anti-static formula, it emerges as a great tool for getting rid of lint. The good news is that this product saves you time since you can get a wipe and start cleaning these surfaces without much effort.
Clorox Can Serve as a Deodorizer
If you think of effective means of removing smell from leather artifacts, you can try wiping them with Clorox. Bad odors can be uncomfortable, much more for persons with sensitive noses.
The hydrogen peroxide in this household cleaning wipe can break down that awful smell on your leather piece and leave behind a refreshing fragrance. Thus, this might come in handy for homes with pets, as you can use it to clean urine from leather couches.
Cons of Using Clorox Wipes On Leather
Even though there are various benefits of using Clorox to wipe surfaces does not necessarily make this product the right option for leather, considering the attractiveness and suppleness of such material.
Hence, here are some risks you leather fitment face when you wipe them with Clorox.
Desiccates the Leather
The alcohol content of this wipe can have a drying effect on the leather, as it desiccates the natural oils from within this material. Thus, if you don’t condition such items to replenish the oil after using such cleaning wipes on your leather, the leather will start cracking.
Clorox Leaves a Lingering Ammonia Smell
While you may want to restore the pristine appearance of your leather piece by wiping it with Clorox, you may notice that such a cleaning product would leave a lingering smell of ammonia. Like most persons, you would like their leather piece to smell heavenly. Hence, this smell of ammonia may be an issue.
It can act on the Leather’s Color.
The use of Clorox wipes on dark-colored leather items can be pretty tricky; the formulation of this product can lead to “leather lightening.” This wipe’s hydrogen peroxide or alcohol can easily react with the leather finishing, changing its original color.
Such an outcome can be bad for your favorite leather artifact, and you may start seeking means to darken the leather hue using dyes and other available solutions, which is not worth it.
Hacks for Using Clorox Wipes On Leather
- Always conduct a spot test for color change and likely damage before using this wipe on the leather’s entire surface. Wipe an insignificant part of the leather and wait for 10-15 minutes to check for any adverse changes; if none, then you can clean the entire surface.
- Following each use of Clorox on leather surfaces, ensure that you apply generous amounts of leather conditioners. Get an appropriate leather conditioner from hardware stores or leather crafts stores and apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- If you are keen on removing dirt effectively using this disinfecting wipe, ensure that you don’t wipe against the leather grain – wipe across instead.
- Kindly ensure that you don’t exert much pressure while wiping the leather with Clorox to prevent the material from absorbing much moisture.
FAQs
Q: Will Clorox disinfecting wipes ruin leather?
Clorox is an effective product for wiping and removing germs on surfaces in homes and offices. However, it is not the best option if you are seeking how to disinfect leather seats and accessories.
You can decide to use these disinfecting wipes to clean your leather surfaces, but kindly ensure you condition the leather piece afterward. Such action helps replenish the natural oils lost within your favorite leather fitments.
Q: Can you use antibacterial wipes on leather?
Many antibacterial wipes remove dust, fingerprints, stains, and grime from surfaces, including leather, making them the right option for cleaning leather items. These products often have formulations containing alcohol, which can leave leather dehydrated.
One of the basic rules for leather care is ensuring this piece keeps its suppleness, and desiccation is not an option. If you decide to clean your leather clothing or accessory with antibacterial wipes, it will help condition the leather afterward.
Q: Can you use disinfectant wipes on a leather couch?
It is not recommendable to clean leather with disinfectant wipes, as the alcohol can easily dry up the oils within the leather material. The alcohol formulation of these wipes removes germs but can compromise the topcoat of leather items.
Clorox is a common disinfectant wipe and is unsuitable for leather since it also contains alcohol. Such wipes can work for faux leather and help remove tough stains from leather surfaces. However, condition the leather surface once done.
Q: Can I use Clorox wipes on the car interior?
Clorox wipes have an excellent formulation for disinfecting various surfaces and can work well for cleaning your car’s interiors. However, it is crucial to check the materials you would use these wipes on, determining if it wouldn’t pose any damage.
Clorox works well for plastics and various nonporous materials. Can you use Clorox wipes on the leather steering wheel? How about the seats of the vehicle? The alcohol in this wipe can dry your leather, and for fabric seats, kindly ensure that this product wouldn’t have a bleaching effect.
Final Words
Can you use Clorox wipes on leather? First, you can use Clorox Wipes on vast surfaces, including leather. However, they are not the best choice because of their potentially harmful chemical composition that could affect leather items.
The primary ingredients in Clorox wipes include isopropyl alcohol and benzisothiazolinone. These chemicals appear linked to skin irritation issues and may cause dryness and peeling leather hides. Should you decide to use these wipes on your leather products, do so with great care to prevent likely damage.
