With the appropriate cleaning and maintenance, you can keep your leather furniture looking new for years. Leather is known for its durability, which is one of the reasons it’s a popular choice for sofas and chairs. Wrinkles can add a distinguished look to a piece of furniture, but large scuffs and tears in the leather can be an eyesore.
When properly attended to, leather furniture will age with style and grace. Owners can help keep their leather furniture looking rich and supple by following these simple dos and don’ts:
You will drastically reduce the lifespan of any type of furniture by doing nothing at all to it. Many people expect that leather couches and chairs will be fine without any special attention. Those who choose to ignore and neglect their leather furniture will soon be wondering why it looks dirty and damaged. Homeowners should also be diligent about quickly cleaning up any spills on their leather couches, chairs, and ottomans.
Leather is harder to stain than fabric but that doesn’t mean a spill can wait – it needs to be cleaned as soon as possible. First, any excess spillage should be carefully removed before it does further damage. A dry, soft cloth can be used to blot the area. Often, spills can be removed before they stain the leather without the need for additional cleaning products. A wet cloth can be used on some spills if dry blotting is not enough, but applying water to a grease stain could make matters worse. Greasy or oily stains may need professional attention so owners are cautioned against spilling food on leather furniture. A mild water-based cleaner can be used on especially hard-to-remove stains that are not oil-based, but no products should be applied without first conducting a spot test.
Dusting your leather furniture on a regular basis is one the easiest ways to keep it looking new. It will keep it clean so the dust isn’t forced deep into the creases as people sit on it. People who are committed to maintaining their leather furniture should also consider cleaning and conditioning it every so often. There are many suitable cleaning products that can be used to wipe down leather furniture and cushions.
Saddle soap effectively removes built-up dirt and dust while also improving the appearance of the leather. Microfiber and other lint-free rags work well for cleaning and maintaining this type of furniture. Special conditioning products, sometimes called hide food, can be used to refresh and rejuvenate the appearance of leather upholstery.
Many people assume that older leather furniture gain their distinguished patina naturally over time but that isn’t really the case. If you let it sit and collect dust it will look old in a dirty way. The distinctive look of well-aged leather comes from properly caring for the piece when it’s not in use, and from knowing the right way to clean it. Royal Interior Cleaning will clean and revitalize your leather furniture so it will age like a fine wine.
