How to take are of leather furniture

Liv Butler
Authored by Liv Butler
Posted Tuesday, June 1, 2021 - 10:33am

Leather is one of the most fashionable, durable materials in the world. Even small leather corner sofas can last for years. However, every piece of furniture that is made from leather is really expensive, so if you buy one, you have to make sure that you know how to clean it properly.

It takes some specific know-how to keep the leather look good for years, especially if you use it often. Additionally, there is more than one type of leather, so you have to know exactly what kind of leather you have. Here, you will find some useful information that will help you keep your leather furniture in the best possible condition!

Identify the Type of Leather You Have

The first step when thinking about how to clean leather furniture is to find out if you have aniline, semi-aniline, or full-grain leather. Each of these types has different needs of care, so before you start cleaning your furniture, you need to identify the type of leather you have.

Full-grain leather is the strongest type of leather, and it is the most expensive one as well. It is the most durable type of leather that can be found in many products. It does not need much maintenance as it is very resistant to scratches and other natural damages. You can buy a lot of items made from this kind of leather, such as sofas, couches, and chairs.

Aniline leather is also very popular because of its softness and texture. However, it is not as strong as full-grain leather, which means that scratches are a big issue for aniline leather. This type of leather is more delicate than any other type; therefore, cleaning it requires extra care.

Semi-aniline is a medium between full-grain and aniline. It has some protection from natural damages, and it still looks good on the surface. Semi-aniline leather needs a little bit of care after some time.

Use a Soft Cloth

Before you start cleaning your leather furniture, make sure that you have a soft microfiber cloth or towel on hand. You can use any kind of soft material that will not leave scratches on your furniture. Never use any kind of fabric that has been treated with chemicals to avoid damaging your furniture. The best thing to do is to choose the cotton material as it will not leave any scratches on your furniture.

Clean It Gently

Even though the materials used in modern leather furniture are better than in the past, they can still be damaged easily. You need to know how to clean your furniture properly if you want to preserve its beauty for years. Always clean your furniture gently without using too much force.

Avoid Using Chemicals

If you do not want to damage your furniture, then you should refrain from using any kind of chemicals that will leave stains or scratches on the surface. To make sure that you keep your leather clean and shiny all the time, you should use a soft cloth with a little bit of water. Make sure that the water is not too hot because it can damage your furniture.

How to Clean Leather

In order to keep your leather furniture in good shape, you should clean it regularly. To do so, you should prepare some cleaning products and follow the steps below:

  • Use a damp cloth to wipe off any dust or dirt from the surface of the leather.
  • After that, you can use a small amount of mild soap and rub it in circles on the surface. If the leather is stained, use a soft scrub brush.
  • Make sure that you use warm water and not hot or cold water because it will damage the piece.
  • After you are done with that, you should blot the leather dry with a soft cloth.
  • Then, you should apply a thin coat of leather conditioner over the entire surface of your piece. Wait for the conditioner to dry, and then repeat the process several times, if necessary.

How to Safely Store Leather Furniture

When you put your leather sofa in storage, it is best if you put it on the backside so the surface is protected from scratches. The same goes for your other pieces of furniture made of leather. You can also put newspapers or rags under the legs of your furniture to prevent it from damaging the floor.

Another good way to store your furniture is in a plastic covering made for this purpose. It will protect your furniture from getting damaged by moisture or dust, and it will prevent scratches from various objects that might fall on your leather sofa. This way of storing furniture is recommended especially if you want it to be in pristine condition for many years!

Summary

Leather furniture is very expensive. That is why most people invest in a piece of high-quality furniture that will last for years. However, you cannot just buy a leather sofa and leave it in your living room or bedroom without doing anything else, or it will lose its aesthetic value pretty quickly. There are some things that you can do in order to make sure that your leather furniture lasts for as long as possible. You will need to put some effort into the maintenance, but it will absolutely be worth it.

If you don’t use your furniture for a very long time, you should put it in storage and cover it with newspapers or rags. This way, you will be able to keep it in good condition for many years to come. Taking care of leather furniture can be difficult to do if you don’t know what you are doing. To make things worse, if you use the wrong products, you can end up damaging the leather to a point where it is unfixable. Hopefully, after reading through this article, you have learned how to properly care for your leather furniture and fixtures.

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