How to Care For Your Leather Furniture

While some items in your home are not complicated to clean, leather furniture is not one of them. Sensitive material such as leather requires special treatment, whether it’s a sofa bed or a piece of office furniture. Luckily, you can take care of these pieces in a few simple ways. Take a look at our easy steps to care for your leather furniture and keep it looking great.

Avoid areas with fluctuating temperatures

As with all types of furniture, room temperature is one of the keys to maintaining it in good shape. This is why you should store your leather items in a climate-controlled environment. You can keep your leather goods in humid, hot, or cold areas. Using charcoal briquettes or cat litter can help you reduce the humidity in your storage area. Charcoal briquettes can be stored in small plastic containers and will reduce the smell of your leather items. Another option is cat litter which is inexpensive and effective at reducing the smell of your leather furniture.

Fluctuating temperatures are not suitable for leather furniture long-term. For best results, make sure to keep your leather items away from large windows and fireplaces. If you have pets, don’t leave them on leather pieces – they will wear out faster. Caring for your furniture also requires cleaning the stains and other damage, for which you should also use a high-quality leather cleaner. Keep in mind that if you use natural cleaning products to maintain leather furniture, they will sit better on the surface if the room temperature is steady. To prevent further damage, clean the area thoroughly and avoid placing leather furniture in places with fluctuating temperatures.

Vacuum regularly

When caring for your leather furniture, it is crucial to vacuum regularly to remove dust and other debris. Using a vacuum with a hose attachment works best for this purpose and can freshen up your home. Make sure not to over wet the cleaner so that it causes damage to the leather. Similarly, you should remove loose cushions from sofas and chairs often. When taking care of leather upholstery, clean the furniture regularly to remove dust and dirt.

Regular vacuuming will also help maintain the quality of your furniture long-term. Dust and dirt can get embedded in crevices and cracks, so vacuum underneath cushions to ensure that dust is not trapped. Using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment will help you clean tufted areas and seams without damaging the finish of your sofa. Consider deodorizing your leather furniture by applying baking soda and leaving it on for 30 minutes before vacuuming it.

Avoid treating stains with water

When it comes to cleaning your leather furniture, water can be the least effective liquid to use, just as ammonia-based cleaners. Professional cleaners would tell you to avoid treating stains with certain liquids since these can damage the surface of our leather furniture. Although water and ammonia can clean stains, they can cause damage to the leather. To avoid this, try a solution of half olive oil and one-fourth vinegar. All you need to do is apply it to the stain and leave it to soak for five minutes. Then, use a clean cloth to blot excess. If water and ammonia solutions don’t work, try a solution of washing-up liquid and water.

The correct order of cleaning is another thing you should keep in mind. Always start by cleaning the stain in a hidden area before proceeding with the rest of the furniture. First, dampen the cleaning cloth with distilled water or mild soap. After applying the solution, gently rub the area with the cloth. You should make sure to use a soft cloth to prevent water spots. Once the stain has been absorbed, leave the leather to dry naturally before using it again.

Protect unprotected leather from sunlight

While it is possible to get away with leaving your leather items out in the sun all day, exposing them to sunlight can cause them to become stiff and inflexible. Therefore, one of the best ways to care for your leather furniture is to limit the potential damage. In case you are in the middle of your moving process, you will have to keep delicate pieces protected, especially if you need to keep them in storage long-term. Unprotected leather is highly susceptible to stains and fading, so if you want to keep your leather items looking as good as new ones, make sure to apply a leather protector and avoid abrasive substances that can damage the surface. Keep in mind that unprotected leather is not easily cleanable, as it lacks the pigment layer that protects it. Many manufacturers recommend using a soft brush attachment on a vacuum cleaner.

Clean with leather cream

If you’ve noticed a stain on your leather furniture, you may have wondered how to clean it effectively. If you move your leather furniture from one location to another, it’s possible to create a few stains. During the moving process, there’s a chance of spilling or scratching the surface, which is why you’ll need to refresh it and clean the pieces after the move. Experts from nycministorage.com advise using professional packing supplies when relocating leather furniture to a new home or office. Before packing furniture for relocation or storage, consider getting a protective cream for it.

Leather creams containing oils or lemon juice can be great for protecting the furniture from new stains. All you need is a clean microfiber cloth to apply the cream. Applying leather cream to clean these pieces will keep them soft and supple. Once you apply the cream, you can simply wipe it off with a dry cloth, buff it to a shine, and it’s ready to use. Make sure to use a high-quality brand, as cheap versions might not be as effective.

Hopefully, our tips on how to care for your leather furniture helped you simplify and speed up your cleaning process. Whether your furniture is brand new or antique, caring for it will make it look fresh, last longer, and save you money in the long run!