Leather Care & Cleaning
Can You Use Clorox or Lysol Wipes on Leather?
No on real leather: Clorox says not to use its wipes on leather, and Lysol's are for hard surfaces. What to do if you did, and what to use instead.
No, not on real leather. Clorox's own FAQ says not to use its disinfecting wipes on leather. The Lysol FAQ gives directions for its wipes only on hard, non-porous surfaces, and says its disinfectant spray is not recommended for leather. A leather furniture maker also warns that wipes containing alcohol damage the topcoat of finished leather.
This page answers the wipes question. The full method is in how to disinfect leather safely, part of our leather care and cleaning guide.
What each brand says
| Wipe | What the maker says | Leather? |
|---|---|---|
| Clorox Disinfecting Wipes | Bleach-free; for hard, nonporous surfaces; stays wet 4 minutes to disinfect | FAQ: don't use on leather or silk |
| Lysol Disinfecting Wipes | Wipe a hard, non-porous surface and leave it wet 4 minutes | No leather statement for the wipes; the spray is not recommended on leather |
| Any bleach wipe | Products with sodium hypochlorite | Never on leather or hide |
| Alcohol wipes, sanitizer wipes | Alcohol weakens the topcoat; color transfer follows | Avoid on finished leather |
Why disinfecting wipes and leather don't mix
A disinfecting wipe only works if the surface stays visibly wet for the full contact time on the label, 4 minutes for both brands. Most leathers are damaged by direct contact with water. The Clorox product page describes its wipes for hard, nonporous surfaces and does not mention leather.
Already wiped your leather?
- Let it dry at room temperature. Skip the hair dryer and radiator, which can warp and crack leather.
- Moisturize finished leather with a leather lotion on a soft cloth.
- Check the spot. If the topcoat was compromised, the leather is unprotected and color can start to transfer. Signs to look for are in will alcohol damage leather?
What to use instead
- To clean: a leather cleaner or a leather cleaning wipe. Clorox's own leather guide uses a leather cleaning wipe on a couch before disinfecting.
- To disinfect: a disinfecting mist made for finished leather, sprayed lightly after a spot test. Not on suede, nubuck or unfinished leather.
- Faux leather: some makers allow bleach solutions or alcohol on their own PU ranges. Check your maker's care guide first.
Disinfectant sprays get their own answer in can you use disinfectant spray on leather?
Quick answers
What kind of wipes can I use on leather?
Wipes made for leather cleaning. Test any wipe on a hidden area first.
Are Lysol wipes ok for leather?
Not according to its maker: the FAQ gives wipe directions only for hard, non-porous surfaces, and says the spray is not recommended for leather. We found no Lysol statement that its wipes are safe on leather.
What disinfectant can I use on leather?
On finished leather, a disinfectant made for leather, after a spot test; never bleach.
For everyday care after disinfecting, see the Leather Collection leather care instructions on lotion, spot testing and drying.
hosob Editorial Team
hosob articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.