Leather is a surprisingly durable, long-lasting, supple, and luxurious upholstery material that adds an opulent feel to any room, but just like all furniture, daily use can lead to normal wear and tear, as well as stains. Fortunately, leather is a material that is less porous and easier to clean and care for than upholstery. With just a few household items, you can restore your worn down and stained leather couch so that it looks brand new!
Before you start cleaning, verify that your couch is still under warranty to make sure you don’t void it. Always follow the manufacturer’s guide when cleaning your furniture and be mindful of the products you use to clean your couch. Products containing bleach and ammonia or sanitizing wipes can damage the leather and its finish. Avoid cleaning products with harsh chemicals such as alcohol, shoe polish, window cleaners, hair spray, and nail polish remover with acetone. Even be wary of olive oil! None of these are designed for use on your leather couch. Instead, you’ll want to use gentle and natural cleaners such as dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, and products that are specifically designed for use on leather.
The good news is that removing inevitable stains is not difficult at all. The trick is to treat them as soon as possible. To start, fill a bowl with a mixture of warm water and dish soap. Dip a clean cloth into the bowl and wring it out so that it’s damp, not wet. This step is especially important as too much water can actually cause stains. With your damp cloth, dab or rub in small circles around the stain until it’s completely buffed out. Don’t rub back and forth as this can cause additional wear and tear and can harm the leather’s surface. Once you finish dabbing, use a dry rag to dry the couch from top to bottom. Whatever you do, don’t skip this step! Water tends to weaken leather if it’s left to dry on its own. You can also substitute your dish soap water with a diluted vinegar and water solution to wipe down soiled and problem areas on your sofa.
If your leather couch has a grease stain, use a dry cloth and a little bit of baking soda to absorb it. If the grease stain has already dried, sprinkle baking soda onto the area to draw the grease out. Let it sit for a few hours before brushing it off with a rag. If you have mold, mildew, or even an ink stain on your leather couch, then rubbing alcohol is the key to removing it. Simply dab alcohol onto a cotton swab then gently wipe the stain until it clears. Also, if you want to eliminate dark-colored stains from your white and beige leather sofas, mix equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar, then combine it into a paste. Apply the paste to the stain and leave on for ten minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth. Be wary of using stain-removal products, as some can do more harm than good. Always test a cleaning product on an inconspicuous part of the furniture just in case things go awry.
To maintain the upkeep of your leather couches, experts typically recommend keeping it away from the sun to prevent fading, avoiding exposure to other heat sources like fireplaces or radiators to prevent cracking, and to clean and treat your leather at least once or twice a year. The best way to treat your furniture is with a leather cleaner and conditioner.
Before you treat your couch, you want to start by vacuuming the couch to get rid of crumbs and lingering dirt. Use the brush attachment to get rid of dust and don’t forget to remove and clean the cushions, undersides, and the edges. After you’ve thoroughly vacuumed, you want to use a leather cleaner that is designed to help break down dirt and stains. Spray the cleaner onto a dry cloth rather than directly onto the furniture to prevent it from leaving spray marks. Starting at the top, lightly wipe the cloth around the couch, making sure to clean every edge, nook, and cranny. Work your way down to avoid uneven polish spots. Once you’ve finished cleaning, wipe away any excess cleaner before using conditioner. Grab a leather conditioner of your choice and apply a small amount onto a clean cloth before applying to your couch, being mindful not to oversaturate it. Leather conditioners are great treatment choices as they usually contain healthy oils to help make your couch appear fresher, stay moisturized, and smell phenomenal! Allow the conditioner to dry for an hour or more, giving the product enough time to seep in.
With these simple steps, your leather couch will be cleaned, polished, and resembling a sumptuous textured, brand-new sofa. With regular dusting and cleaning, not only will you prevent wear and tear and cracking, but you’ll also be able to enjoy your couch for many years to come!
