[Maintenance] How to deal with stains on leather due to alcohol disinfection

Hello. This is the editorial department of Hallelujah.

Under the influence of the epidemic, alcohol disinfectants and masks have become indispensable items.

People often hear stories of people accidentally touching leather property after disinfecting their hands with alcohol, resulting in stains on the leather.

This article will discuss the causes of alcohol stains on leather and how to improve them if they occur.

Never use alcohol on leather items (including synthetic leather)!

Leather products contaminated with alcohol can pose various risks.

Risks associated with alcohol on leather

color coming off
Once the alcohol adheres to and penetrates the leather, it may dissolve the coating and change the properties of the dye. Moreover, during the volatilization process, the dyes and oils in the leather will also evaporate together, causing fading and deterioration. Therefore, the use of alcohol to disinfect leather surfaces is not recommended. To protect leather, it's best to use cleaning and care products specifically designed for leather.
Coating peeling off
The surface is coated to prevent fading, but most coatings are not resistant to alcohol. Alcohol may peel off the dye or surface coating, causing leather to deteriorate more quickly.
There may be bumps on the leather surface
Leather becomes soft and moist when wet but does not regain its shape when dry, resulting in a bumpy surface.
Alcohol removes oil
Leather needs a certain amount of oil to stay soft and hydrated, and if the oil is removed, the leather will dry out and crack more easily. Therefore, we do not recommend using alcohol to disinfect leather.

 

Using two types of tanned leather, plus alcohol for verification

For a clear comparison experiment, we prepared vegetable-tanned cowhide and chrome-tanned cowhide.

What is vegetable tanned cowhide?
Vegetable tanning methods use plant-based tannins, an ancient traditional method. Tannins are water-soluble compounds that bind to the animal proteins in the leather, causing the leather to shrink.
What is chrome tanned cowhide?
Compared to vegetable tanning methods, chrome tanning can be completed in a short time. The leather becomes soft, has good elasticity and is water-resistant, which makes it easier to process into leather goods.

Use 2 types of alcohol to verify

Source: Rakuten

ヒビスコール Liquid A 1L サラヤ Disinfection Finger Sterilizer

[Yazawa] Sterilizing and deodorizing sanitizer 420ml

Experimental results of two kinds of alcohol dripping on leather

Left: Chrome-tanned cowhide Right: Vegetable-tanned cowhide

Use disinfectant alcohol solution on the upper side and space sterilization and deodorizing spray on the lower side. First we can look at chrome tanned cowhide. There seemed to be no obvious stains after using disinfectant alcohol, but after using space sterilizing and deodorizing spray, some leather showed a white change.

Because I can't see the changes clearly, I use a soft cloth to clean them.

The white stain was easily removed!

In this experiment, there were almost no obvious changes in the chrome-tanned cow leather. However, dark stains appeared on the vegetable-tanned cow leather after it came into contact with disinfectant alcohol, while there were some stains on the parts that came into contact with the space sterilization and deodorizing spray.

Since the leather is still wet, try blowing it with cold air for a few minutes to let it dry.

With timely drying, even brightly colored cowhide with easily visible stains can be successfully restored to its original state!

Advantages and disadvantages of 2 types of leather

Chrome-tanned leather that appears to be free of stains may appear more attractive based on previous inspections, but each type of leather has its pros and cons.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Chrome Tanned Cow Leather

<<Advantages>>

• Not easy to scratch
• Excellent water resistance
• Maintenance is relatively simple

<<Disadvantages>>

• No age change (i.e. leather cannot be aged)
• Because it contains metal components, it may cause allergies in some people
• Because it is a chemical substance, it may produce a pungent smell

Advantages and disadvantages of vegetable tanned cowhide

<<Advantages>>

• Using plant-based materials, friendly to the environment and human body
• Tough and elastic properties
• You can enjoy the charm that changes with time (i.e. the change of the year)

<<Disadvantages>>

• Easily scratched and stained
• Less water resistant
• Requires regular maintenance

▼Leather products using vegetable tanned cowhide

Tochigi Rakuten Camel Made in Japan [JAPAN FACTORY]

Tochigi レザーラウンド二つfold り财布ミニ财布 Green 【JAPAN FACTORY】

If stains remain completely

Never use leather protection cream

If stains remain on the leather, rushing to apply a care lotion may have the opposite effect. Because when you apply care lotion on the upper layer, the oil may penetrate into the leather, leaving the alcohol content in the leather.

Care lotions in this case should not be used to avoid further damage to the leather.

Using water to moisten is an effective method

1. Use a spray bottle, etc. to spray water on the cloth and gently wipe the leather surface.
2. If you feel that the water is not enough, you can gradually increase the amount of water.
3. Once all parts are moist, place in a well-ventilated area to dry.

This way, the alcohol content and moisture in the leather will be drained out of the leather together, making the stain less noticeable. ※Please note that the effect may vary depending on the type of leather.

This is the result of a practical test using disinfectant alcohol.

The area on the underside where alcohol was applied first and then the care lotion seemed to still retain stains. The upper side remains almost in its original state.

If you wish to sterilize leather products, consider the following methods

Use an antibacterial leather care cream. Use a specialized antibacterial spray for leather. Dilute a mild detergent with water and wipe gently with a damp cloth.

Summary of reasons why it is not recommended to disinfect leather with alcohol

Test results show that contacting alcohol with leather may cause color fading, surface coating peeling off, leather surface unevenness, and leather oil loss, leading to various leather deterioration problems. This test result will be a useful reference for those who hope to use leather products for a long time or who are troubled by the same condition.

Looking forward to seeing you again in the next article.