Courtesy: Freepik
Leather is a fragile material and should be treated with care, whether it’s luxe or faux leather. From your leather couch to other leather furniture, it’s important to clean and treat them regularly to keep them in good condition. It’s even more important to know the best cleaning methods for leather furniture. Here is everything you need to know about cleaning leather furniture.
These cleaning supplies will do more harm than good
Some cleaning products can leave your leather furniture looking worse than it was before the ‘cleaning process.’ The most common cleaning mistake is using too much water; this can lead to swelling and discoloration because leather is porous.
Ammonia, bleach, and other harsh chemicals remove the natural oils in leather and lead to permanent damage. Steamers, two-in-one, and all-purpose cleaners shouldn’t be used on leather as they can damage the material.
How often should you clean your leather furniture?
Generally, you should wipe away dust from leather couches and chairs with a dry microfiber cloth once a week. However, how often you clean your leather furniture depends on the environment, usage, and manufacturer’s care recommendations.
Regardless, you should clean it as soon as possible whenever there are stains or spills. This will prevent any lasting damage to the leather. You can also condition your couch every six to nine months.
How to do a routine cleaning
While it’s true that it is a fragile material, leather is quite easy to clean. For routine cleaning (the cleaning you do every weekend), you only need natural dish soap, a soft microfiber cloth, and distilled water.
Dip a microfiber cloth in a mixture of dish soap and distilled water and wring it out to remove excess water. Clean the leather with a damp cloth. Dampen another microfiber cloth with distilled water and wring it out, then wipe the leather again to remove the soap residue. Finally, wipe the leather again with a dry microfiber cloth.
Removing stains
Your stain removal method depends on the type of stain you’re dealing with. However, there is a general method that can help in removing different stains. First, you should clean the stained area with a dry cloth.
Make a solution of equal parts white vinegar and distilled water in a bowl. Then, dip a microfiber cloth in the solution, wring it out, and clean the stained area. Then, pat the cleaned area with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any excess liquid.
Conditioning
In case you were wondering, conditioning leather means making a seal that protects the material from dirt, oils, and others. It’s recommended to condition your leather furniture once or twice a year.
To condition your leather, mix a small amount of coconut or olive oil with some drops of liquid soap. Then, dip a microfiber cloth in the mixture and apply it to the leather in circular motions. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before wiping the whole surface with a dry microfiber cloth.