Hello mollydog,
Thank you for your question.
Before I searched I had the hunch this would be one of those questions
that have multiple potential solutions with advocates of their own
brand or method of cleaning. You might find that trying one might
preclude trying another as a change may occur from one failed attempt
that will prevent another method working. Kind of like washing a
stained piece of clothing and having the stain set permanently where
it might have been removed with hair spray, for example, in the case
of ballpoint ink. If at all possible, read the methods thoroughly
before trying any of them and test on a hidden part of the furniture
first.
All that being said:
Garden Web suggests soap and water with thorough drying:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cleaning/msg0821593022151.html
Townsend Leather:
http://www.townsendleather.com/leather-care-cleaning.html
"...Blood/Urine
Flush from leather with clear water and soft cloth.
Finished Leather: Clean with Flight Wipes Leather Cleaner, then treat
with Conditioner and Protector.
Aniline Leather: Dry slowly away from direct heat..."
"Flight Wipes" can be found on this page:
http://www.townsendleather.com/products.asp
AllAboutHome.com
http://www.allabouthome.com/tips/cleaning/home.html
"...Fresh blood on leather? Dab on a little hydrogen peroxide. After
it bubbles, wipe it off..."
If you are not offended, Go Ask Alice talks about cleaning a Cat o'
Nine Tails that drew blood:
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0732.html
"...After cleaning with hydrogen peroxide and drying, as above,
recondition the leather with Lexol or saddle dressing..."
So, it seems we are developing a consensus that Hydrogen Peroxide may
be a working solution for your need.
FurnitureStuff.com
http://www.furniturestuff.com/
Care of Leather Furniture
"...Spot Cleaning - As always the quicker you get to a spot or stain
the greater success you will have. Most spills of food and beverages
should be wiped up using a damp cloth with a light detergent soap,
such as liquid hand soap.
All other stains such as ink marks, grease, blood, urine, wax or
gum should be removed using a professional leather cleaner. Just
follow the instructions that come with the product. It is a good idea
to have a good leather cleaner on hand so that you will be able to
address the problem immediately after it happens..."
Karnal Leather
http://www.karnalleather.com/care.html
"...All leather items can last for a lifetime if they are regularly
maintained and treated well. Leather is skin and just as you would
clean your own, you need to clean and nourish your leather to help
retain its durability and texture...
...BLOOD STAINS: Leather becomes stiff and odourous Hand wash immediately...
Leather Tree
http://www.leathertree.com/leathercare.asp
"...Fresh stains from things such as blood and food can be cleaned up
quickly with a damp cloth..."
So, it seems that if the stain is fresh, soap and water may be all you
need. If it has set, peroxide may bubble it out for you. Quality
commercial leather cleaning products may work as well. Note many of
these suggestions refer to fresh stains. Set blood stains appear to be
more persistent.
Tip King has interesting notes regarding blood stains that are worth
noting. Do read this page:
http://tips.tipking.com/cleaning/tip_59.shtml
Among other things, they caution about using warm or hot water as it
will set a blood stain, and that Hydrogen Peroxide is the main
ingredient in commercial blood stain cleaners! Good to know.
Taxidermy.com mention WASCO skin prep for cleaning blood form skins and feathers:
http://www.taxidermy.com/cat/15/clean.html
"...This concentrated low pH detergent washes, degreases, softens,
conditions and disinfects. Powerful, yet gentle, you can trust Skin
Prep to clean dried blood off the finest waterfowl feathers or whitest
fur. It may be used on fish, bird, reptile, amphibian and mammal
skins. Low pH. For best results always use "cold" water and rinse
completely after washing..."
Italian Car Parts shows a product that claims to clean blood from leather seats:
http://www.italiancarparts.com/detail/detail.html
"...Interior Trim Cleaner
The fast and easy way to remove grimy dirt from vinyl, plastics,
leather, and other interior automotive surfaces. Interior Trim Cleaner
is so simple and easy-to-use, just spray and wipe away grimy buildup!
This versatile cleaner quickly removes tough dirt, stains, and grime
from most hard surfaces. Powerful foaming action holds cleaner in
place and reduces messy running and dripping. Powerful and fast
acting. Quickly lifts built-up, dried-on food stains, blood, ink, and
oily dirt..."
To sum up, the following seems to be consensus:
Blood stains should always be treated immediately. Under no
circumstances allow the stain to dry, as it will become permanent.
Remember fresh stains are easier to deal with than old. Never use heat
to tackle a blood stain. Heat sets the proteins within the blood and
you will have a permanent reminder.
If you have marked a leather seat wash with a saddle soap and blot dry
as soon as is humanly possible. There are also branded leather
cleaners and moisturisers you can use so use them as soon as you can.
And aside from soap and water and commercial leather cleaners,
Hydrogen Peroxide has its proponents for cleaning blood stains on
leather.
I hope you have caught this stain in time.
Search Strategy:
clean blood +leather
leather +"blood stain"
blood stain +leather furniture
leather cleaner +blood
I trust my research has provided you with possible cleaners for your
blood stained leather furniture. If a link above should fail to work
or anything require further explanation or research, please do post a
Request for Clarification prior to rating the answer and closing the
question and I will be pleased to assist further.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
