Advice on Care and Cleaning of Leather Sofa

Leather furniture is a stylish detail in the interior and a sign of wealth. To make it delightful for you for many years, take care of proper care and cleaning. We will tell you how to properly clean a leather sofa at home.

Rules for the Care of Leather Furniture

The surface of the leather has a porous structure, so the dust that settles gradually penetrates the material, and as a result, it becomes more and more difficult to remove it every day. To prevent this from happening, vacuum the sofa once a week.

Wipe the sofa regularly with a damp cloth. Do not forget about folds and seams, they always collect a lot of dirt.

Check periodically for stains or scuffs on the sofa. The sooner you find the defect, the more likely you are to get rid of it like professional Upholstery Cleaning Services.

All food and drinks leave a mark on your skin, so try to keep them as far away from the sofa as possible. This is especially true for baby food. If you spill something on the sofa, collect the liquid with a soft, dry cloth – the main thing is that it does not have time to be absorbed into the material. If you find a cut, cover it with liquid skin.

Apply a skin care product, such as a leather conditioner, to your skin once a year to add shine and keep the surface from drying out.

Tips on How to Properly Clean Your Leather Sofa

Do the first cleaning of your leather sofa immediately after purchase. Use a special cleaning agent and a soft brush for this. After a couple of minutes, remove the remnants of the product with a napkin.

When the surface is dry, apply a special cream. It is convenient to do this with a soft cloth. The cream will create a protective coating and it will be easier to clean the sofa in the future.

For all subsequent cleanings, follow this sequence:

1. Vacuum the surface.
2. Remove residual dust with a damp cloth.
3. Check for debris. Treat stubborn stains with a special cleaning agent.
4. Remove the agent and wipe the entire surface with a dry cloth.
5. Apply a moisturizer or conditioner to your skin.

A steam cleaner can be an alternative to a vacuum cleaner. Walk several times over the entire surface, stopping at the dirtiest areas. Then wipe off excess moisture with a soft cloth.

If you notice a stain, apply the cleaner to the stain and blot with a tissue. Do not rub the dirt on your skin as this will only increase the size of the stain. And do not scrub the surface too long and thoroughly: you can damage the structure of the material by rubbing the pores.

Damp skin can easily develop mould or mildew, especially in poorly ventilated areas. Therefore, do not forget to wipe the sofa with a dry cloth after cleaning.

Leather Sofa Cleaners

Look at the documentation that you were given upon purchase – it will tell you what kind of leather the sofa is upholstered in. Use this information as your guide when choosing a cleaning agent. Many manufacturers write what exactly can and cannot be used to clean a particular model.

If you’ve lost your documents, choose a neutral cleaner and test it on an inconspicuous spot. Wait for the material to dry – sometimes the defect can only appear on a dry surface.

Buy a cleaner as soon as the couch is in your home – don’t wait until you find the first stain on it.

Home Remedies for Cleaning Leather Furniture

Small dirt can be removed with a soft cloth and soapy water. To prepare it, mix two tablespoons of liquid soap and a spoonful of ammonia in a glass of water. You can use apple cider vinegar instead of soap.

Soak a cloth in this solution and wipe the surface, then walk again with a dry cloth.

The cosmetic milk will help remove the stain from the skin. Apply the product to a rag and walk over the contaminated area, and then remove the residue.

Special Cleaning Products

Special cleaning agents require a strict dosage – never pour them by eye, otherwise, you can irreparably ruin the sofa.

For general cleaning, choose mild, gentle products with a rich foam, and apply spot removers to stains.

Removing Stains from Leather Furniture

The accumulated dust can be easily removed with regular soap and water, but some stains need a special touch. Let’s figure out how to deal with such pollution.

Greasy Stains

If the stain has just appeared, sprinkle it with salt and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the salt and wipe the skin with a soft cloth.

Baking soda will do the trick for old stains. Dissolve a spoonful of baking soda in a glass of warm water, stir, and then wipe the stain with this solution until foam forms. Remove the remaining foam with a tissue and repeat the process.

Blood

Cold, soapy water can help clear fresh blood from the sofa. Never use warm water – this way you fix the stain on the skin, and it will be ten times more difficult to remove it.

An aspirin tablet dissolved in a glass of water will help against dried bloodstains. If you can’t remove the stain the first time, go over the solution again.

Paints or Felt-Tip Pen

An alcohol solution will help against stains from markers or pens. Dampen a cotton ball and gently remove the stain. Do not use acetone for cleaning, it can ruin the skin.

Alcohol tends to evaporate oils, so be sure to apply a moisturizing conditioner or cream after cleansing.

Traces of Tea, Juice or Coffee

If you spill tea or coffee on the leather sofa, vodka, rubbing alcohol or perfume will help you. Wipe the skin with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture, and then sprinkle with salt. After a couple of minutes, brush off the salt and walk over the stain with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol.

Red wine stains are the hardest to remove. The sooner you clean the sofa, the more likely you will be able to save it.

Wax or Gum

Regular ice will help clear the sofa from traces of gum or wax. Wrap it in cellophane or a thin rag and apply it to the stain. Wait 10-15 seconds, and then remove the stain with the blunt side of the knife.

How to Remove Mould and Mildew from a Sofa

Fungus or mould on leather furniture appears due to high humidity in the house or excess moisture on the surface – after wet cleaning or from spilled drinks.

A vinegar solution will help to deal with mold or mildew. Mix it at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 100 ml of water. Wipe the infected surface with a cotton pad with a solution, and then remove the residue with a dry cloth – this must be done before it is absorbed into the skin. An alternative to vinegar can be a special agent against fungus or mildew. It is easy to find in a furniture store.

Check your sofa periodically for mold – the longer it lives on the skin, the more difficult it will be to remove.

How to Clean a White Leather Sofa

The white sofa looks more impressive than its black brother, however, it is much more difficult to care for it.

If you prefer home remedies, use a mixture of beaten egg white and half a glass of milk for cleaning. Dampen a rag in it and wipe the surface of the sofa.

Warmed milk, ammonia or vinegar in a low concentration will cope with fresh greasy stains. For light stains, toothpaste will help: wipe some of the toothpaste on a soft-bristled brush and gently wipe away the stain.

After cleaning, do not forget to apply a moisturizer – it will prevent the skin from drying out and protect it from dust and high temperatures.

What can not be used to Care for Leather Furniture

When choosing a cleaning agent, immediately exclude from the list the usual stain removers, detergents with abrasive particles, grease-removing gels for dishes, and chlorine products. The same goes for hard brushes and rags.

Never use sharp objects. The skin is easily cut and scratched; to get rid of the marks, you will have to buy a special product.

Caring for Leather Furniture after Cleaning

Leather upholstery loses its elasticity over time and begins to crack this happens because natural fats evaporate from the surface. Use a moisturizer like cream or conditioner to slow this process down.

Maintain a moderate humidity indoors, ideally no more than 70%. Dry air is also not good for the skin – it can dry out the material, leading to cracks.

Keep your leather sofa away from radiators and direct sunlight. Do not place the sofa closer than a meter to a radiator or heater.

If you are planning to leave for a month or more, throw a special cape made of natural material over the sofa. It will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface.

Conclusion

The secret to the durability of a leather sofa is prevention. At least once a month, wipe with a damp cloth and solution over the entire surface, and once a week check for new stains. And then your leather sofa will serve you for many years and retain its presentable look for a long time.