Question on leather upholster stain

Scott Crowder

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Jul 13, 2022
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Poulsbo
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Scott Crowder
So I get this customer who spilled chocolate on the seat of his leather couch. He first used rubbing alcohol on it, then used some shelf bought leather cleaner and conditioner. Then he called me.
The spot is about 3x2 inches, dark stain. It feels rough when you touch it. Give it a day or two and a white substance appears on it. I cleaned it, using the same stuff I've had work great for years, but the spot wouldn't come out and what surprised me is he calls a few days later to say the white substance, - which came out instantly when I cleaned it, just wiped right off - has reappeared.

I told him don't do anything to it. give the leather some time. I'd ask around and see if anyone has any ideas.

Scott
 

Numero Uno

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Ma
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Caesar
Well the dark is the chocolate which in its own way has re dyed it . The rough is merely the dried on substance which formed a caked layer .The white is the time break down of said substance .Being summer it is drying and powdering off...Give it time and tell him if anything .Just manipulate it and brush it with a towel .Either cotton or microfiber .If it is a protected leather distilled water .Versus any type off cleaning agent. The pores are releasing the given stain over time. Ad for discoloration that may be permanent. A ounce of hydrogen peroxide alcohol to 11 ounces purified water .Might might slowly lighten it over time . Spot check it once a month doing the above .If you do the h2o2 /water procedure .It might have been treated at store or factory with a leather protector .If so higher chance of discoloration removal over time will work...You did not mention suede do I am assuming it is not...Regards... Th white also could be the store stuff he bought breaking down since it cannot penetrate the protected leather...
 
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FB7777

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Quite possible he already removed the chocolate stain…

along with compromising the dye

rubbing alcohol in untrained hands on leather is risky business

Time to purchase some decorative pillows
 

Scott Crowder

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Poulsbo
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Scott Crowder
Quite possible he already removed the chocolate stain…

along with compromising the dye

rubbing alcohol in untrained hands on leather is risky business

Time to purchase some decorative pillows
Pretty much what I thought. I tried to tell him, but he doesn't want to listen.
 

icleancarpetz

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Rafael Samson
Pretty much what I thought. I tried to tell him, but he doesn't want to listen.
give him back his money and move on.
its Cheaper to refund back the money. He may continue to use your services in the future but on the other hand he may be difficult to deal with since he knows you will give him back his money If he just says I am not happy. refund Back the money and don’t work for them again.

it was already damaged before you touched it.

numero uno has great input but probably not worth going through all that since your gonna spend more time trying to correct then what the job was worth.

Count your loses and bail out.
 

Scott Crowder

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Poulsbo
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Scott Crowder
give him back his money and move on.
its Cheaper to refund back the money. He may continue to use your services in the future but on the other hand he may be difficult to deal with since he knows you will give him back his money If he just says I am not happy. refund Back the money and don’t work for them again.

it was already damaged before you touched it.

numero uno has great input but probably not worth going through all that since your gonna spend more time trying to correct then what the job was worth.

Count your loses and bail out.
Oh no, it's not like that. He isn't unhappy with me. His deceased wife loved that couch and he doesn't want to give up on cleaning it.
 

Jim Pemberton

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Jim Pemberton
So I get this customer who spilled chocolate on the seat of his leather couch. He first used rubbing alcohol on it, then used some shelf bought leather cleaner and conditioner. Then he called me.
The spot is about 3x2 inches, dark stain. It feels rough when you touch it. Give it a day or two and a white substance appears on it. I cleaned it, using the same stuff I've had work great for years, but the spot wouldn't come out and what surprised me is he calls a few days later to say the white substance, - which came out instantly when I cleaned it, just wiped right off - has reappeared.

I told him don't do anything to it. give the leather some time. I'd ask around and see if anyone has any ideas.

Scott

The stuff he did is likely the problem.

If it was a protected leather (most of what's out there), that rough feel could mean he removed the outer protective coating. If that's the case, only an experienced leather restoration shop can fix it. Some furniture stores know people who do that for damage claims that they deal with.

If it is aniline leather, then there is dye damage for a certainty, and the white haze might be from the conditioner he used. That too would take an expert.

Sentimental value is something that is easy for people to take lightly, but you obviously care about your customer. Still, you didn't kill the sofa, or his wife, and you shouldn't take something on your shoulders that you can't remedy for him.
 
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