Luxurious leather furniture never goes out of style and has a timeless appeal. Here’s how to clean leather furniture so that you can enjoy it for years.
Regular leather cleaning
At least twice per month, clean your leather furniture’s cushions with a microfiber cloth or your vacuum’s hose with a soft bristle brush attached. Don’t forget seams, crevices and beneath the cushions.
Once a month, clean your leather furniture by dampening a clean cloth and wringing it thoroughly until it is just damp. Wipe down the cushions, arms and back. Then dry all these areas with a clean dry cloth. Once dry, apply a leather conditioner cream to your furniture. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the conditioner matches the kind of leather you have.
If you find a sticky substance such as wax or gum on your leather furniture, chill the area with an ice pack. Then gently pick off the substance with your fingernail, a spoon, or some other tool that lacks a hard edge that might damage the leather.
Dealing with stains
What about that coffee, wine or food spill on your beloved leather?
If the stain is not ink or a greasy substance, always begin with a clean wet cloth that you’ve wrung until it’s damp, not soaked. Dry with a clean cloth. This alone may lift the stain.
If not, use a clean, damp cloth with a small amount of gentle soap such as dish soap. Rinse with a clean cloth dampened with water only, then dry with another clean cloth.
When cleaning stains, use a gentle circular motion and move inward from the edges to the center of the stain. Do not use a side-to-side motion nor a motion scrubbing outward from the stain, since both these methods could spread the stain farther.
Difficult stains
Two types of stains bear special consideration.
- Treat ink stains with alcohol on a clean cotton ball. Dab gently until the stain lifts. Do not rub. Afterward, pat the area dry with a cloth.
- To remove grease stains from leather, apply a layer of baking soda to the stain. Leave the baking soda for several hours to absorb the grease, then brush the powder away. If the stain is still visible, wipe the leather with a clean cloth dampened, not soaked, with water. For more difficult grease stains, use a damp cloth with a bit of mild soap.
If these home methods fail to remove stains from your leather furniture, contact a professional leather cleaner or the manufacturer for help.
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