How to Remove Stain from Ostrich Leather: 9 Expert Tips You Need To Know

How to Remove Stain from Ostrich Leather – Ways to Keep Your Ostrich Boots Looking as Good as New

Ostrich leather is one of the most popular exotic leathers in large part due to its unique appearance and its soft texture. It also follows that due to its more delicate nature compared to other exotics it requires timely care and attention when it comes to removing stains.

In this article, we will walk through the process of removing stains from your ostrich leather items with the focus on techniques that are both gentle and effective.. With these you will know how to remove stain from ostrich leather so you can keep them looking their best.

Understanding Ostrich Leather

When you own a product made of ostrich leather, it’s essential to understand its properties and how to care for it properly.

Ostrich leather contains natural oils that give the material its characteristic soft and supple feel. These natural oils also contribute to the leather’s clean finish that make it look sleek and sophisticated. What this also means is that ostrich leather can be more prone than some other exotics to showing stains and marks if not cared for correctly.

If you want to maintain that like new appearance for your ostrich leather, you’ll need to clean and condition them regularly and remove any stains as soon as they appear.

There are multiple cleaning methods for getting stains out of ostrich leather, ranging from standard leather cleaners to using a sprinkling of talcum powder onto oil stains. The idea there is to absorb the excess oil before gently brushing it off. No matter which method you end up using you’ll want to avoid using any harsh chemicals or detergents when cleaning ostrich leather, as this may lead to damage and discoloration.

Pre-Cleaning Steps

Ok, so how do you get stains out of ostrich leather? Prep is step one. Before you dive into cleaning your ostrich leather boots, let’s prepare with these pre-cleaning steps.

Removing Loose Dirt

First up, you’ll want to grab a soft brush (a horsehair brush works great here) or in a pinch you could use an old toothbrush with softened bristles. You’ll use these to gently brush off any loose dirt or debris from your boots. As you brush you’ll want to be sure to pay extra attention to any crevices, stitching, or textured patterns where dirt accumulates.

After you’ve removed any loose dirt from your ostrich leather boots, you’ll be ready to clean them thoroughly to remove any stains.

Methods to Remove Stains from Ostrich Boots

Using Leather Cleaner to Remove Stains on Ostrich

Using a quality brand leather cleaner is one of the best solutions to start with when trying to remove stains from ostrich leather. I’d try that first before any other home remedies. To start, you always want to test any cleaning products on a small, relatively inconspicuous area of the leather so you can make sure it doesn’t cause any discoloration.

Once you have confidence that the cleaner is good to use, you can apply it to a soft cloth and then gently rub on the stained area (following the manufacturer’s instructions). Once you’ve confirmed that the cleaner has done its job, you’ll want to followup by applying a leather conditioner to keep the leather soft and well maintained. You’ll always want to follow any cleaning methods with a good conditioning.

Using Saddle Soap to remove stains from ostrich boots

Another option you can try to remove stains from ostrich leather is saddle soap. While saddle soap can strip some of the natural oils since all the other products here have to be followed by conditioning that’s not a unique problem here. Saddle soap can help in removing stains from ostrich boots. You should apply the saddle soap to a soft cloth and then gently rub on the stain in a circular motion. Lightly rinse the area with a damp cloth and then allow it to air dry (out of direct sun or heat) completely.

Home Remedies to Clean Stains on Ostrich Leather

If those don’t work or you just prefer a more natural approach, there are some home remedies you can try to remove stains from ostrich leather.

Cornstarch or Talcum Powder

If you have oil stains on your ostrich boots, you can try dusting the stain with either cornstarch or talcum powder and then letting it sit for 20 to 30 minutes before brushing it off with a soft cloth. The powder will help to absorb the oil and remove the stain. You can try multiple applications if only one doesn’t work.

Cream of Tartar and Lemon Juice

If you need to remove darker stains, then one reported remedy is to mix equal parts cream of tartar and lemon juice to create a paste. Then you apply this paste directly to the stain and allow it to sit for a few minutes then wipe it away with a dampened cloth.

Vinegar or White Vinegar

Vinegar can reportedly be a helpful home remedy for removing stains from ostrich leather. You would mix one part vinegar with one part water and then  apply the solution to a soft cloth or sponge. Gently rub the stain with the cloth – be mindful not to soak the leather in the process. Let the solution air dry naturally, and then wipe the leather with a clean, dry cloth.

Just like when using a store bought product, when using any home remedy on ostrich leather you’ll still always want to test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it won’t discolor the leather.

You can get water stains from wearing your ostrich boots in the rain like the picture above.

Addressing Stubborn Stains On Ostrich Leather

Oil Stains

In order to remove oil stains from ostrich leather you can try talcum powder. Basically you will apply a fairly generous amount of talcum powder directly onto the stain and leave it for about 30 minutes. The talcum powder will help in absorbing the oil and shouldn’t cause any harm to the leather. After letting it sit you can then gently brush off the talcum powder and evaluate your results. For more persistent stains, you may need to repeat the process more than once.

Ink Stains

Ink stains are tough and can be particularly tricky to remove from ostrich leather. You can try dampening a soft cloth with either rubbing alcohol or a gentle acetone-free nail polish remover. From there carefully dab the stain with the cloth while being cautious not to spread the stain any further. Be sure to avoid rubbing the stain, as this can make the problem even worse. Once you see the ink stain start to lift, you can wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth and allow it to air dry.

Another alternative you can try for ink stains is to mix 1 part olive oil with 1 part white vinegar and then use a soft cloth to gently dab the mixture onto the ink stain. Let this sit for a few minutes and then wipe off with a clean, lightly damp cloth.

Salt Stains

Salt stains can come about from exposure to either snow or saltwater. Exposure to salt can and will cause ostrich leather to dry out and could crack if not cleaned promptly. In order to remove salt stains from your ostrich leather, you’ll want to create a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Using a soft cloth, you’ll gently apply the solution to the affected areas, being very careful not to saturate the leather. After the salt stains have been removed you can wipe down the area with a clean, lightly damp cloth to remove any remaining solution. Allow the ostrich leather to completely air dry before conditioning or storing it.

Conditioning After Cleaning

It’s a mission critical step to condition your ostrich boots after cleaning them if you want  to maintain their quality and appearance. This applies regardless of which cleaning method is used as all of them will remove some of the natural oils from the leather.

A good conditioning will not only enhance the look of the leather but also will help to restore its natural oils and help prevent cracking or fading.

When choosing a conditioner make sure to look for a good quality option from a well known brand. To apply conditioner use a soft cloth or sponge and gently rub it onto the leather surface.  You should allow the conditioner to absorb into the leather for a whole before buffing it gently with a soft cloth. This simple process will help to bring out the natural shine of the leather while also removing any excess conditioner left on the leather.

As with cleaning products it’s always safest to perform a color test on a small, inconspicuous area of your ostrich leather item before applying it to the entire surface.

Proper Drying and Storage

To sum it up, as it relates to drying and storage of ostrich leather boots, always use a soft cloth (microfiber cloth works well) to remove stains and excess moisture. Allow items to air dry naturally- away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Lastly, you want to store your ostrich leather goods in a cool, dry environment.

Additional Care Tips

Ideal Cleaning Schedule for Ostrich Leather

To keep your ostrich leather in tip top shape you’ll want to follow an appropriate cleaning schedule. A good practice to get in the habit of is to give your ostrich leather items a light cleaning after each use by using a clean cloth and horsehair brush to remove any dust and dirt.

Less frequently, but once every 3 to 6 months you’ll want to give them a good conditioning. More often if they get rain or snow as water exposure isn’t ideal for ostrich leather.

You’ll want to take care of any stains or spills as soon as possible. It is much easier to try to remove them before they have time to really set into the leather.

Follow the tips in this article to remove stains from ostrich leather and develop a consistent cleaning schedule and you can ensure that your ostrich leather remains beautiful and durable for many years to come.

You can watch a Youtube video that is based on a summary of this article by going here: https://youtu.be/_DHLNhtuRnI