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If you’re a fan of the luxurious glamour that leather furniture can bring, you should know how to maintain and keep the shiny and sleek look. Leather furniture does not need a ton of maintenance all the time, but that doesn’t mean it needs absolutely no maintenance whatsoever. That’s why we’re going to teach you how to properly care for your leather furniture. That way, you can prevent any long-term damage and keep them looking like they are brand new! However, it’s important to know, leather is a natural material. This means that it will naturally stretch and tear over time if you use them regularly. That being said, here are some step-by-step instructions on how to clean and maintain your leather furniture.
(Pictured: Bolsena Sofa & Loveseat)
1. Figure Out What Type of Leather you Have
Before you can begin to even think about cleaning the leather upholstery, you have to find out what type of leather it is. You mostly just need to know if it has a protective coating or not. That way you know what you can or can’t use and if you need to be super gentle. If your furniture is shiny and stiff, then it probably has a protective coating on it, meaning you can use tougher cleaning methods. However, if the leather is looking more matte, it probably does not have any protective coatings, meaning you have to be gentle since it will be extremely delicate. To truly test what type of leather you have, you could always do the water drop test.
The Water Drop Test: This test is where you find a small, unnoticeable spot on the leather upholstery and put a tiny drop of water on it, or dab it with a wet finger and wait a couple of minutes. Then, you’ll clean it off. If the water beads up and sits on top, your leather has a protective coating. If not, then it’s pure leather with no coating. Just a warning, this test will change the leather, which is why you should do it in a small spot that won’t be noticed.
2. Vacuum Your Leather
One of the best parts about having leather upholstery is that crumbs, pet fur and dander can not cling on because it does not have a woven texture. That means that you can simply vacuum up any little particles that you see. To make sure that your vacuum will be gentle on the leather upholstery, you need a soft brush attachment. This will make sure that it removes the dust and dirt without scratching and damaging the leather.
3. Spill Something? Clean it Up ASAP!
If you end up spilling something on your brand-new leather furniture, you need to make sure that you clean it up immediately! Before the spill soaks into the leather upholstery, grab a microfiber cloth and dab away the liquid. Don't wipe! However, if it is too late and the spill has soaked into the upholstery, grab your microfiber cloth with distilled water and dab the stained area away. Next, you let the spot air dry, never ever use heat to dry off the leather! For those whose leather doesn’t have a protective coating, wipe down the entire area with a damp cloth to prevent any water lines after drying.
(Pictured: Luigi Sofa & Loveseat)
4. The Deeper, Stubborn Stains
For dealing with the most stubborn of stains, you’ll need to use a different method. If your leather has a protective coating, this method is for you. Mix mild, unscented soap and lukewarm water, spray that on a microfiber cloth and rub it around the stain using circular motions. For oil-based stains, you’ll need to use baking soda and any ink-based stains will need you to use diluted rubbing alcohol. Keep in mind, you should never be spraying any solutions onto the leather directly! Then, you’ll wipe off the solution with a clean cloth and let air dry.
For those who have a much more delicate leather upholstery to work with, you can not ever use any oils, detergents, conditioners or even tap water to clean up any stains. These will cause permanent damage to the leather. Instead, you should be using specific foam cleansers that are made for your unprotected, pure leather upholstery.
5. How to Get Rid of Scratches & Marks
You might notice that your leather furniture has developed some small scratches and marks over time. Don't fret! There are a couple of ways to get rid of them. The first way is by rubbing your finger over the blemishes. The natural oils in the leather will take care of everything else and, like magic, the scratches will disappear. Next, you could take a clean cloth and some leather oil or conditioner and buff the scratches and marks out, just like how it was before.
6. How to Prevent Further Damage
We’ve helped you figure out how to clean your leather furniture, but now you have to learn how to maintain it so you prevent any further damage from happening. Genuine leather will dry out over time and become brittle and crack. There are ways to help increase the durability and longevity of your leather upholstery so you can enjoy the luxurious look for a long time. A routine you could start doing is applying a manufacturer-recommended conditioner once or twice a year. You’ll take a damp cloth, apply the conditioner to the cloth and then rub it on the leather in circular motions. Let that sit overnight and then buff the leather with a clean cloth in the morning.
Another tip is to make sure that your leather furniture is kept away from direct sunlight and any heat sources to prevent fading, cracking, and flaking.
(Pictured: Colleton Sofa & Loveseat)
With everything that you have learned today about how to take care of your leather furniture, we hope that you’ll now be able to clean and maintain the shininess and luxurious look of the leather upholstery like a pro! From cleaning the crumbs and pet fur to taking care of those pesky stains, you know exactly what to do. If you don’t have any leather furniture, or you want more, and you’re looking to buy some, you can view our online selection right here! You could also visit us in our superstore to get advice and see the furniture for yourself at 4200 W Kellogg Dr.
