How to Clean Leather Furniture and Retain its Perfect Look?
In This Article
Times and trends change but leather furniture always remains fashionable. It looks good and gives any living or dining room an elegant and sophisticated look. How to clean leather furniture so that it retains its luxurious look for a long time?
It is not so difficult to clean furniture with leather upholstery. You need to know what can be used and what is not recommended. In this article we will show you how to clean leather furniture at home without using chemical products.
Leather Furniture Care Tips and General Rules for Cleaning
Caring for leather furniture begins with its proper placement. There are two principles that will help you reduce the risk of damage:
- keep leather furniture away from direct sunlight;
- avoid close proximity to heating sources – fireplaces or stoves.
It should be noted that leather is a material capable of both absorbing moisture and giving it away under the influence of temperature or changes in air humidity. For the normal preservation of leather furniture, it is necessary to maintain the moisture content of the leather coating at a level of at least 10%. This can be achieved if the average relative humidity of the room is 65-70%.
It is better to save leather furniture from constant contact with blankets, toys and other things that have coloring properties.
Dust can be removed by using a vacuum cleaner with a soft nozzle or a soft cloth dipped in water. If it is not possible to remove the dirt with clean water, it is best to use a mild soap solution.
Before proceeding with cleaning, read the manufacturer’s instructions for your furniture. The upholstery material, the type of dye used and a list of recommended care products should be indicated. If such a document is not available for any reason, make sure that you test any cleaning product on a small inconspicuous area of the chair or sofa, as some cleaning products may change the color of your furniture.
How to Clean Dark or Colored Leather Upholstery?
Start cleaning by removing dust with a vacuum cleaner, it is recommended to use a nozzle that does not leave scratches. Dust tends to accumulate in the crevices, folds and seams of furniture, so use a thin nozzle for a vacuum cleaner to remove it.
Take a soft cloth, moisten it slightly and wipe the surface of the chair/sofa.
If there are no stains, simply apply a solution of soap and water on the entire surface. Wipe the soap with a dry cloth, lightly polishing the surface.
How to Clean White Leather Furniture?
Cleaning white leather furniture requires more attention. You need to make sure that the upholstery will not be damaged. You can use milk, egg white, or vinegar solution.
Warm some milk. It should not be hot! Take a cotton swab, soak it in the milk and wipe the stained area. Carefully polish with a dry cloth.
Beat an egg white and half a glass of milk. Soak a cloth in it and wipe the surface of the sofa/chair.
Toothpaste will help against simple dirt. Apply a little paste on a soft-bristled brush and gently wipe the stain. After cleaning, do not forget to apply a moisturizer – it will not allow the skin to dry out and protect it from dust and high temperatures.
How to Remove Stains From Leather Furniture?
If you find a stain on the surface of leather furniture, do not worry. Use our instructions for removing certain types of stains from leather upholstery.
Pen or Marker Marks
Spray the stained area with regular hairspray and wipe with a dry, clean cloth. An alternative is to wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in undiluted rubbing alcohol. Moisten a cotton pad and gently remove the stain. Alcohol helps the oils evaporate, so be sure to apply a moisturizer after cleaning. Do not use acetone for cleaning as it can damage the leather.
Grease Stains
If the stain has just appeared, sprinkle it with salt and leave for 10-15 minutes. Then remove the salt and wipe the leather surface with a soft cloth. Baking soda will help you remove old stains. Dilute a spoonful of soda in a glass of warm water, mix, and then wipe the stain with this solution until foam forms. Remove the remaining foam with a napkin and repeat the process again.
How to Clean Blood Stains from Leather Upholstery?
Cold soapy water will help clean the sofa of fresh blood. Do not use warm water as it will fix the stain on the leather and it will be way more difficult to remove it. An aspirin dissolved in a glass of water will help against dried blood stains.
Coffee or Tea Stains
To remove stains from tea or coffee, first wipe the upholstery with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture, and then sprinkle with salt. After a couple of minutes, brush off the salt and go over the stain with a cotton pad dipped in rubbing alcohol.
How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Leather?
Red wine stains are the hardest to remove. The sooner you clean the surface, the more likely you’ll be able to save it. Blot up excess wine. Sprinkle baking soda over the wet stain and wipe. If the stain remains, mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water. Apply only the foam with a sponge. Rinse well with a clean damp cloth and wipe dry. Apply leather conditioner.
Remove Wax or Chewing Gum
In this case, regular ice will help. Wrap it in cellophane or a thin cloth and apply it to the stain. Wait 10-15 seconds, and then remove the stain with the blunt side of a knife.
How to Remove Mold Stains from Leather Upholstery?
Wipe mold with a solution of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol. Gently wipe the area with a damp cloth. Let dry. It is recommended trying the solution on an inconspicuous area of the leather upholstery first.
Now you know how to clean leather furniture. It is not difficult but make sure that you do not use chemical solvents or other aggressive agents that may damage the leather beyond repair.