How to Take care of Leather Sofa
Leather sofas and couches are elegant pieces of furniture that last a lifetime. They gain character with use and look better with age. But like all things classy and elegant, they need to be cared for. Keeping this in mind, we have collated some pointers on how to take care of leather sofa in particular and all other leather furniture in general. Check out this guide below to clean, maintain and take care of your leather furniture and keep it looking brand new for years to come.
1. Cleaning is the Key for Care of Leather Sofa
Clean your leather sofa every week otherwise, it may look a bit worn out. Make it bi-weekly if your furniture goes through a lot of use. Follow the below-mentioned steps for a thorough leather cleaning.
- Brush, wipe and clean off any dust and dirt on the leather upholstery with a soft microfiber cloth. Then use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to clean any dust and grime settled into the corners and crevices of the sofa. If possible, use a narrow angled attachment to clean the crevices properly. Vacuum the entire surface and also under and between the cushions.
- Next, dampen a soft cloth in distilled water to wipe the leather upholstery. Ensure that the cloth is damp and not too wet. You do not want water to soak into your precious leather furniture. Distilled water is used as it does not contain any chemicals that may damage the leather finish.
- Let the sofa dry naturally before sitting on it. This way the leather upholstery will retain shape without developing any creases. Do not use any heat to dry the leather quicker. If weather permits, open some windows so the air dries the damp naturally.
- After the leather has dried, buff the leather upholstery to maintain its beautiful brand-new shine. Use a soft microfiber cloth for this purpose. Any scratches and scuffs accumulated over the years also fade through buffing.
- If possible, get a specialized mild leather cleaner that can be used on all types of leather including aniline, semi-aniline, and pigmented. Use it once monthly to clean the leather sofa.
2. Use Conditioner to Take Care of Leather Sofa
Leather has natural fibers and contains oils that keep the upholstery soft and supple. But regular use wears off these oils which may lead to drying of the leather and cracks in the upholstery. Regular application of leather conditioners and creams solves this issue and keeps your leather sofa in pristine condition. Use conditioners and creams recommended by the furniture manufacturer. Apply these lightly all over the upholstery twice a year with a soft microfiber cloth.
3. Strategic Positioning
Yup, you read it right. Positioning is the key to the longevity of your leather furniture. Extended exposure to heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, or sunlight causes dryness and cracking in your leather furniture. Place your leather sofa in a spot that is not too close to air conditioning units, fireplaces, radiators, and bright sunlight. Avoid heavy exposure from these heat sources and your leather furniture will look and feel new for years to come.
4. Cushion Care
Take care of the leather sofa by maintaining its cushions. Plump your sofa cushions every day to maintain their shape so they provide amazing support and look great in the process. It takes hardly a couple of minutes and keeps the creases and cracks from forming through extensive use.
5. Cleaning Spills
If you spilled any liquid then quickly use a dry cloth or sponge to absorb the liquid. Emphasis is on the word “quickly” so the spill does not soak into the leather. Do not wipe hard but blot gently at the spillage to absorb the liquid. Use a little water if required to prevent any stains from forming. You can also use a mix of warm water and mild soap for this purpose.
6. Removing Ink and Mold Stains
Maybe you dropped a pen on your leather sofa and it left an ugly ink blotch. Prepare a mixture of warm water and rubbing alcohol and gently wipe at the stains to remove them. Remember, this advice applies to relatively fresh stains. But if the stains are darker or have set in, then get the help of a professional cleaner to save and take care of leather sofa or any other furniture.
7. Permanent Marker Stains
Use any aerosol hairsprays for any permanent marker stains on your leather furniture. Spray the stained area and leave for a few minutes to clear the stains.
8. Removing Oil or Grease Stains
Baking soda is a wonder cure for any oil and grease stains on leather. It absorbs the oil and grease. Sprinkle it on the stained area and wait for a few hours to witness the magic. But as mentioned above, it works for relatively fresh stains. For persistent and stubborn stains, take the help of a professional cleaner.
9. Cleaning Wine Stains
For fresh wine stains, whether red or white, use this fix to avoid the stain setting in. First, remove the wine spill by blotting it with a dry cloth or sponge. Then make a solution of mild soap with warm water. Ensure that the solution is foamy and has plenty of suds. Use another sponge or dry cloth to apply the foam to the affected area. Then use another dry cloth to dab it all away and leave the affected area to dry naturally. Apply a leather conditioner afterward. If the stain persists, use the services of a professional cleaner.
10. Take Care of Leather Sofa Through Other Precautions
There are some other precautions that you need to keep in mind to take care of your leather furniture. Do not put any wet clothes, sharp objects, or metal appliances with sharp corners on your leather furniture. Under sharp objects consider keys, scissors too. And it’s a bummer but sometimes your pets may scratch the upholstery due to their sharp claws. So, if you are a proud parent to any pet, consider covering your sofa with a special blanket or cover. Also, for light-colored leather upholstery, avoid using dark-colored cushions or throws that may leave their color.
Takeaway
Give a little bit of regular care and attention to your leather sofa to maintain its elegant and timeless looks. Follow the above-mentioned pointers on the care of leather to preserve and maintain your beautiful leather furniture.