How to Clean Cowhide Leather

Co-authored by Peggy Carlton

Last Updated: April 24, 2025 References

Cowhide leather is commonly used to make a variety of things from furniture to shoes and purses. Because cowhide leather is easy to maintain, you shouldn’t have a hard time keeping it clean. All you need is a soft brush, water, dish soap, and a few cloths to clean your cowhide leather.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Dirt and Stains from Tanned Leather

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Use a soft brush like a toothbrush or a soft scrub brush. Gently brush your cowhide leather to remove dirt and dust before cleaning.^{[1]
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One bowl will be used for cleaning, while the other will be used for rinsing. Additionally, set two to three cloths aside for cleaning and rinsing.^{[2]
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Use a spoon to mix the ingredients together until a soapy solution forms. This bowl will be used for cleaning the leather.^{[3]
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4
Scrub and rinse small sections of leather. Dip a clean cloth into the soapy solution and squeeze out any excess water. Working in small sections, gently scrub the leather in a circular motion. Then dip a clean, dry cloth into the bowl of warm water. Squeeze out any excess water. Gently wipe the section clean with the damp cloth.^{[4]
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- Avoid scrubbing the leather with soap all at once before rinsing the entire piece. Instead, work on small sections at a time.
Since dirty cloths can stain leather, use a clean side of the cloth every time you work on a new section. Additionally, use a new cloth once you run out of clean sections on the first cloth.
6
Air dry the leather. Place the leather in a well-ventilated area to air dry. Alternatively, place it outside under a covered area like a porch to air dry.
- Avoid placing the leather in direct sunlight to air dry.
7
Apply a conditioner once the leather is nearly dry. Dip a clean cloth into the leather conditioner. Rub a light coating of conditioner over the entire surface of the leather.
- You can purchase leather conditioners online, or from your local shoe repair store or discount retailer.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Spot-Cleaning Hair-On Leather

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1
Use a handheld vacuum to remove dirt and dust. Vacuum the leather in the direction of the hair growth. If you do not have a handheld vacuum, then use a wire brush to remove dirt and dust. Gently brush the leather in the direction of the hair growth until all of the dirt and dust are removed.^{[5]
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- If you are cleaning a cowhide area rug, then simply shake the rug outside to remove dust and dirt.
- Try to avoid using a regular vacuum with rotating brushes. The rotating brushes may pull the hair out of the cowhide.
Mix in one cup (240 ml) of warm water. Mix the ingredients together until a soapy solution forms.^{[6]
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3
Blot the leather. Dip a clean cloth into the soapy solution. Squeeze out any excess water. Working on small sections at a time, gently blot the leather with the cloth.^{[7]
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- To reach dirt at the base of the hairs, gently rub the leather.
As you blot the leather, re-dip the cloth into the soapy solution as it becomes dry. Use a clean section of the cloth each time you re-dip it.^{[8]
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Once the leather is clean, fill a bowl with warm water. Dip a clean, dry cloth into the bowl. Squeeze out any excess water. Blot the sections you cleaned until all of the soap is removed.^{[9]
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6
Dry and brush the cowhide leather. Let the leather air dry. Avoid using a blow dryer to speed up the drying process. Once the cowhide is dry, use a soft brush to brush the hair.
- Additionally, do not place the cowhide in the sun to air dry either. The sun may bleach the leather.

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Question

How do I clean light colored leather?

Susan Stocker
Professional Cleaner
Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.

Susan Stocker

Professional Cleaner

Expert Answer

Pour some warm water into a bowl and mix in a few drops of dish soap. Dip a microfiber cloth into the cleaning solution and rub the dirty area with your cloth. Then, wipe up the excess moisture and let your leather dry.

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Question

Can I use shoe polish to condition leather?

Clarah Williams

Community Answer

I wouldn't recommend this, because it can strip the leather.

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Question

I have a dog pee spot on my cowhide. How do I clean it?

Lina DaSilva

Top Answerer

Mix a bit of mild, non-detergent soap with water. Lightly dampen a cloth in this solution and use on the cowhide.

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