How To Bleach Leather (Without Destroying It)

I often find some basic leather pieces in thrift stores at really good prices, but they could use a little ‘something’ to make them more unique. One of the methods I have used is bleaching leather.

I figured if it was something I wanted to do, it might be something others want to know how to do, so in this post I’m going to share some information on bleach and leather as well as the process if you want to try bleaching leather yourself.

Later this summer I’ll be showing you how I then painted the leather that I had bleached to create a really unique garment!

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that I may receive a fee at no extra cost to you if you purchase a recommended product.

Can Leather Be Bleached?

Yes. You can bleach leather, but an important thing to note is that you need to use a specific type of bleach – every day household bleach will not do the job.

This is because using these bleach types are made from chemicals that will thoroughly degrade the quality of the leather and leave it in an irreparable state.

When bleaching leather, you should only use oxalic acid. It is a naturally occurring chemical that is found in fruits and vegetables and is the safest option to use on leather. In addition, oxalic acid will make your leather lighter without damaging the structure of it.

I love and use Angelus Preparer and Deglazer.

Oxalic acid should only affect the color of the leather; unlike bleach-based products, it won’t adversely affect the natural finish and material. However, you should also keep in mind that the results of bleaching leather will vary depending on the type of leather you’re using as well as the color.

You may notice that some leather will lighten with the first application of oxalic acid, while others will take two or more to see any visible changes. To be safe, try applying a small amount of oxalic acid to the leather to observe how the fabric will react – a bit like a patch test that we do when colouring our hair!

How To Bleach Leather

First buy the right type of bleach. I use Angelus Preparer and Deglazer which is a ready prepared solution. Once you have yours ready, we can begin bleaching your leather.

On a side note: hydrogen peroxide can be an alternative option, but results are considerably more random so use this at your own risk.

Step 1: Prepare The Solution

If you’re not using a ready prepared solution like me, then the recommended mixture is one-part oxalic acid and three to four parts warm or hot water. This will dilute the naturally-occurring bleaching substance enough not to be too harsh on the leather. Mix the concoction well.

Step 2: Wipe The Solution

Let the mixture cool down. Then, using a clean and soft cloth, apply the oxalic acid solution to the surface of the leather. Wipe the solution gently and try not to put too much pressure. Just use a thin coating of the solution thoroughly on the leather’s surface.

Step 3: Let The Solution Dry

Wait for at least 10 minutes and check if the oxalic acid solution has dried. Now, observe how much the color of your leather has lightened up. Is it the result you wanted? Great! You’re done with the process.

However, if the shade has only slightly lightened, you can apply another coating of the solution and wait another 10 minutes.

Step 4: Finishing Up

Once satisfied with the results, you can apply the leather dye. This is optional but recommended. You can choose dip-style or brush-on leather dyes, which you can purchase at your local supermarket.

I have a selection of Angelus Acrylic Leather Paints which I’ll be applying. I’ve added a small photo below for you to get an idea of how these look.

Other Things To Consider When Bleaching Leather

Bleaching leather is not for the faint hearted. It takes time and you’re unlikely to ever get a fully lightened look to the leather you are trying to bleach.

That said, here are some other things to consider if you’re intending to give it a go yourself.

Do Not Bleach Faux Leather

Faux leather does not have the properties of genuine leather, and using oxalic acid on it will be detrimental to the fabric. If you mistakenly bleach faux leather, you will get disastrous results as its synthetic fibers can not handle the chemical’s effects. Bleaching faux leather will leave it severely damaged and will most likely be out of commission sooner rather than later.

Do Not Soak The Leather Too Long In Bleach

One of the worst mistakes you can make is allowing the bleach to sit too long on your leather. Darker colored leather won’t have too much issue with this, but lighter shade versions will. Specifically, lighter shade and white leather might suffer from visible yellowish stains if you let the bleach sit too long on its surface.

If you are bleaching white leather, keep an eye on it at all times. The moment you see some form of discoloration consider this an alert that you should wipe off the solution as fast as possible. To further prevent the risk of discoloration, I highly suggest diluting oxalic acid in five to six parts of water.

My Results

I thought I should share the final results of some experiments I did to show you how bleaching leather – and suede – comes out.

If you want to alter the drape of your leather, why not fuse leather to fabric using this method? It’s a method I learned at the Rouland Mouret studio in London!

Share it out to others!