If you take care of it right, leather is one of the most durable natural materials. It is mostly used for furniture, car interiors, clothes, and accessories. While it has the capacity to last long, it does need a little care to stay in good shape.
Learning how to clean and care for leather furniture is a simple approach to extending the life of your leather goods. A few easy measures go a long way toward making it look good and performing well in everyday situations. The procedure differs for natural and faux leathers, but it consists of only a few simple stages.
When cleaning leather furniture, there are several factors to consider, including the cleansers used, the type of leather furniture being cleaned, and the type (if any) finish on the leather.
Here are four steps on how to clean leather properly:
1. Know Your Leather
The cleaning procedure you use is determined by the sort of leather you’re working with. Finished leather (also known as treated leather) has a protective coating, but suede and unfinished leather (also known as untreated leather) do not. A tiny amount of saddle soap on a polished leather couch is fine, but even mild soap can be too rough for the softest leathers.
2. Collect Your Cleaning Supplies and Tools
It’s a good idea to use the brush attachment to gently vacuum your leather sofa cushions, including underneath them. To clear dust, simply use a dry microfiber cloth. Then, you’ll need your preferred cleaning solution and additional instruments to remove stains and enhance the material.
Here are some of the tools you’ll need:
- Microfiber cloth
- Cotton wool
- Vinegar (white)
- Purified water
- Mild soap
- Mild rubbing alcohol
- Essential oils and leather conditioner
3. Remove Stains as Soon as Possible
The easiest technique to deal with liquid stains is to blot them with a soft cloth as soon as possible to remove as much moisture as possible. Then, swab the affected area with a gentle, damp towel (warm water, no soap).
Here is how you can freshen up your leather furniture with different types of cleaning materials (again, know your type of leather and always pre-test in an inconspicuous location first to determine the end results first):
- Cleaning with vinegar: Make a solution of white vinegar and distilled water in equal parts (as much as you need). Using a clean cloth, gently wipe the solution over your leather objects until they are damp but not soaked.
- Cleaning with lemon and oil: Combine two parts olive, walnut, or coconut oil with one part lemon juice and apply with a moist microfibre cloth. Then, using another clean towel, buff it in.
- Cleaning with baby soap: Make a solution of warm water, baby soap, and a few drops of natural detergent. If the leather is very dirty, you can add a little vinegar to increase the strength. This mixture will also work as a leather conditioner, cleaning your furniture and protecting it from new stains.
- Using commercial cleaner: To remove filth and stains, combine a few drops of commercial leather cleaner with water or apply it to a moist cloth. As with all leather cleaning, remove any remaining cleaning solution with a damp cloth.
4. Moisturize the Leather
To restore moisture, apply a leather conditioner or a leather cleaner after cleaning the leather with water. Using a brush, sponge, or microfiber cloth, gently rub the leather conditioner into the leather in a circular motion.
Conclusion
Leather’s ability to breathe and the way it reveals veins, ticks, and scars (called “beauty marks”) make it difficult to clean without the necessary tools and knowledge. Thankfully, a pro can explain colours, dyes, pigmentation, structure, and leather properties. Leather cleaning experts are also best at cleaning leather furniture properly using the right cleaning tools and materials to make your valuables last longer.
Don’t let a stain on your leather furniture and other items become a DIY nightmare. Work with our experts at Chem-Dry Imperial, the best in providing professional leather furniture cleaning in Ottawa and surrounding areas. Contact us today!
