How to Clean Leather Upholstery
Leather furniture has an air of sophistication, a timeless appeal and durability that attracts many to invest in leather furniture for their home, but how do you clean leather upholstery?
31/10/2021
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Investing in leather furniture for a living room, study or office is money well spent, as leather furniture has a long lifespan when properly cared for. Nothing beats leather furniture for timeless sophistication, and you only have to look back in history to see how the leather Chesterfield became a valuable piece that is still in demand today. In fact, the Chesterfield sofa design is even more popular now than it was then.
We have determined that leather furniture is a popular choice for many homes, but it is also important to maintain and care for leather furniture if you want it to last. Leather furniture may not require as much maintenance as furniture upholstered in fabric, but it does still need occasional cleaning and conditioning to keep the leather supple and prevent cracking. Follow the tips below to keep leather furniture soft, comfortable and looking good.
Pre-Treatment for Leather Furniture
Spoil your leather furniture to a regular treatment that will extend the lifespan and prevent cracks later on due to the leather drying out. But before cleaning your leather furniture, make sure to use a vacuum cleaner to get deep into seams to remove all traces of debris.
Before performing any of the treatments below, always pre-test on an inconspicuous area to ensure the products won't affect the colour.
GOOD TO KNOW: Never use a brush on leather furniture as this will damage the surface of leather.
Cleaning with Saddle Soap
With the increased popularity of leather furniture of late, there are now suppliers that offer saddle soap for the cleaning of leather furniture. Check online and you can easily order the supplies you need for maintaining and cleaning leather furniture from suppliers such as takealot.com.
Saddle soap is the number one choice for cleaning leather upholstery. This mild detergent, glycerine soap is ideal for cleaning the surface of leather and removing any stains or smells. Saddle soap also removes any build-up of oils from the body and loosely ingrained dirt that will eventually damage the leather if not cleaned away.
As with any other type of upholstered furniture, the quick attention to spills is essential to prevent these from not only damaging the leather but also soaking into the cushions or seat and possibly encouraging the growth of mould.
Cleaning with White Spirit Vinegar
Nowadays, every home should have a bottle or two of white spirit vinegar because there are so many uses for this. It can be used as a cleaner for leather upholstered furniture. You can also use white spirit vinegar to remove mould and mildew but only use a small amount on a clean, soft cloth to wipe over the affected areas.
As a regular surface cleaner for leather furniture, mix a spray bottle of white spirit vinegar and olive oil in a ratio of 2:1 and keep this with your cleaning supplies. Shake well before use and lightly spray over the furniture and wipe away with a soft cloth. Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil will cover up the vinegar smell and refresh your leather furniture.
To remove tough stains or food stains, combine a mixture of Maizena and lemon juice to make a thickish paste and leave this on for about 30-minutes before wiping away with a slightly damp soft cloth.
Conditioning Leather Furniture
Regular conditioning of leather furniture is essential if you want leather furniture to remain soft and supple. As a natural material, leather can dry out or dirt can accumulate on the surface causing the leather to become dry and brittle. With regular cleaning and ongoing maintenance, this can be prevented.
Beeswax is the most common product for conditioning leather furniture and is available at various online sources. As a natural product, beeswax conditions leather and allows it to bend and flex for daily living, preventing drying out and possible damage.
Coconut oil is another natural product that can be used to condition leather furniture. Apply lightly with a soft cloth, leave on for about 10-minutes and then buff to remove scuffs and light scratches.