Leather + shampoo =?

November 22, 2013 8:48 AM

Shampoo spilled in my suitcase. My leather boots and leather pumps were stained. I tried absorbing the shampoo but the stains are still there. Home remedies? Take to dry cleaner? Cobbler?

This is the shampoo in question
http://www.makeupalley.com/product/x_showreview.asp?itemid=79236

Boots are soft leather... Not much to say to describe them. Pumps are Frye Regina. Harder leather.

posted by k8t to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (4 answers total)

Not that you asked--but it this was in the US, call the carrier and/or TSA. On a recent flight on Delta, my bottles were opened and not closed properly, and the stuff spilled everywhere. Delta paid up. It's very possible your luggage was selected for a check (and no, TSA doesn't always remember to include those handy notices of inspection.)
posted by Ideefixe at 9:27 AM on November 22, 2013

cobbler is always the best bet for this kind of thing, but if they're black shoe polish might work if you can work it in evenly everywhere. if they're patent or burnished leather, I recently managed to make some got-damaged-in-a-flood boots look pretty nice by giving them a serious rub down with mineral oil.
posted by euphoria066 at 10:52 AM on November 22, 2013

The Ask a Clean Person column has an article that discusses cleaning methods for various leather stains and advice on where to take soiled items if professional cleaning is needed.
posted by copperdrake at 11:05 AM on November 22, 2013

If the leather is dyed a color other than black, I would take it to a pro. If it's natural colored (and not suede), I might try just rinsing and cleaning with leather soap, maybe with a bit of extra water to wash away the shampoo, and then some conditioner (leather conditioner, olive oil, whatever's easiest) afterward. I haven't specifically had to clean shampoo from any of my leather goods before, but I've had a lot of other stains (horseback riding ain't a clean sport), and my hunch is it might take a couple of rounds to get all the staining out and the tone evened to the rest of the piece. Good luck!
posted by po at 1:37 AM on November 24, 2013