You can’t beat the luxury of a handsome leather sofa, and you will want to ensure it stays that way. Wear and tear is inevitable, unfortunately, but as long as you clean and care for your leather properly, the material will only improve with age, like a fine wine.
Whether you already own a magnificent leather sofa or recently picked up a vintage leather chair to go with your 70s interior vibes, just like skin, leather requires regular care to look its best.
Leather sofas and all other leather furniture need to be dusted with a dry cloth and receive a monthly application of leather cream to keep the material soft and moisturised. Leather cream is also what you use to clean up any dirt or stains that crop up.
To clean your leather furniture, you will need saddle soap, water, leather cream, and a soft cloth.
Start by giving the leather a wipe down with a dry, soft cloth to remove any dust. For mild stains, try to wipe them away with a damp cloth. Using another soft cloth, then thoroughly dry the leather.
You can then re-moisturise the sofa with the leather cream with a clean cloth. Let it sink in, then buff to a shine if you’d like.
Serious stains and damage will need the services of a professional. Avoid trying to remove any stains with solvents or harsh cleaning products, as this could cause further damage.
Tips on How to Care for Leather
Now that you know how to clean your sofa, we have some tips to help you care for it so that it lasts a lifetime.
Design your furniture layout in a way that protects the leather
If the leather is starting to crack, it may be due to ambient conditions, such as extreme temperatures and a lack of moisture. This means you should avoid placing leather furniture close to radiators, open fires, or windows that get a lot of direct sunlight.
Moisturise the leather regularly
If the leather looks more distressed in some areas, then look for a leather treatment that is made for that type of leather. Keep in mind that less is more when applying any product to leather, and make sure you test it on a small patch first.
For coloured leather, be extra careful and know in advance that any product will most likely darken the leather.
If the leather gets cut or torn, turn to a professional for help.
Cleaning leather can be a DIY job, but repairing leather is certainly not, so don’t run the risk of damaging the leather further by attempting to fix it yourself. Contact a professional who will be able to make the right repairs.
If you have local cleaners that advertise leather or suede repairs, it may be unlikely they will have experience with leather furniture repairs, so always look for a professional leather restorer.
If you’re looking for leather sofa refurbishment experts, talk to us today.