Does Leather Absorb Smells? Yes, and Here Is What That Means When You Buy

Yes. Leather takes up and holds moisture from the air, and cleaners say smells such as smoke, perfume and mildew get trapped in it too. How much it takes up depends on the finish, and some smells may never fully leave.

This guide is part of our hub on leather properties and uses. For the smell new leather has on its own, see what leather itself smells like.

Why leather holds on to smells

A Bayer AG paper on shoe leather says leather can absorb, store and pass on water vapour very efficiently. It can take up to 25% of its dry weight in liquid water without feeling damp, and once wet it is hard to dry again. That is the same trait that makes leather breathable.

Care brands and cleaners describe the result in plain terms. One specialist cleaner says leather soaks up smells like a sponge.

We found no lab study that measures how much smoke or perfume odor leather takes up. The link between moisture uptake and smell is how the trade explains it, not a measured result.

Which leather picks up the most

Smoke, perfume and damp: what each one does

• Cigarette smoke. Smoke residue can collect on furniture, clothing and dust. It may stay for long periods even after airing and normal cleaning. That research covers furnishings in general, not leather alone. For removal steps, see removing smoke smell from leather.
• Perfume and hair spray. Skip them while you wear leather, as Leather Collection's care page advises.
• Musty smells. A musty smell can mean mold. Mold generally grows after 2 days at 90-100% relative humidity, or 10 days at 80%. The US EPA warns that mold in porous materials can be hard or impossible to remove completely.

Buying secondhand leather: sniff before you pay

Used and vintage leather can carry smells from food, mildew, mold, perfume, sweat and smoke. Because smoke residue can outlast cleaning and mold can be impossible to remove fully, smell the item before you buy it:

1. Sniff the outside, then the lining and pockets separately, so you know where the smell sits.
2. Treat a musty or mildew smell as a reason to walk away or ask about returns.
3. A light smoke smell is a risk, not a certainty. Price it in.

One specialist cleaner warns against ozone treatment for leather, saying it can cause permanent damage. That cleaner sells its own odor service, so ask any cleaner how it treats leather before handing an item over. For home methods, see how to get odors out of leather.

Storing leather so it stays fresh

Store leather in a well-ventilated, cool, dry place, away from hot attics and damp cellars, as Leather Collection's care page advises. The same page says to cover it with breathable cloth, such as a cotton sheet, rather than plastic. Both steps are in the Leather Collection care instructions.

Damp storage matters most, because it is also how mold starts.

FAQ

How long until leather stops smelling?

For the smell of new leather, one maker says it usually fades after a few weeks of regular use and correct storage. Picked-up smells vary. Smoke residue can last a long time.

Does leather hold scent well?

Yes. Leather takes up moisture from the air, which is why perfume can linger on it. That is also why the store advises not spraying perfume while wearing leather.

Can you get cigarette smoke out of leather seats?

The sources we found do not say how fully it comes out, and smoke residue can outlast normal cleaning. Before buying a used car or sofa, smell the seats and treat a strong smoke smell as a cost. Smell is only one check on a used item; how to tell real leather from fake covers the others.