5 Cleaning Tips & Tricks: Care for Your Leather Furniture

A gorgeous leather sofa is a darling, and it is a worthwhile investment for your living room. It is super stylish and can be contrasted with a paler hue on accent accessories – a white coffee table, a designer rug in lighter shades, and soft-coloured walls can accomplish just that.

But it requires a little more loving than its fabric counterparts. Much like wine, your leather furniture is bound to age well if maintained with proper care. Here’s a quick guideline on how you can keep your leather furniture in mint condition and ensure it lives well through time.

Regular maintenance is essential

Dust it regularly with a vacuum to remove the layer of dust that builds on the surface – otherwise it can work its way into the creases and dry out your leather. This leads to cracking and getting damaged over time. Use a damp cloth to wipe thoroughly and ensures it is dried. Condition your leather sofa every 6 to 12 months to protect it against damage. Be sure always to test any conditioner on an inconspicuous area first. You can also work with a professional to get this job done effectively.

Wipe down spills and stains quickly

Leather does not stain as easily as upholstery furniture. But it is still crucial to clean up stains and spills with a soft, dry cloth quickly once you spot them. Liquids can easily be absorbed and cause discolouration on leather, and grease stains from food can be tough to remove. One way you can try is to blot the stain with a microfiber cloth, cover it liberally with talcum powder and let it sit overnight before brushing it off the next day. As every type of leather may be different, be sure to consult the leather cleaning experts first.

Prevent sun damage 

Keep your leather sofa out of direct sunlight. Long-term light exposure can cause fading and cracking. Strong sunlight can take a toll on your leather over time, causing the leather's natural oils to evaporate and this leads to damage. If you do need to position your leather sofa in front of a window, invest in some curtains or blinds to shade your furniture from the sun.

Use the right leather cleaners 

Solvents and commercial cleaners can be too harsh to use for cleaning your leather couch – opt for a soft cleaner that is made specifically for leather to avoid any damage. Squeeze it onto a clean sponge, and clean the dirt and oils off your couch in a circular motion. Use a cotton towel afterwards to dry it off. This can work to help remove dark spots too, which is usually an effect of oil damage on leather.  Always test it on an inconspicuous area first though to be sure you like the results. 

Fix scratched areas

It is common for leather furniture to get scratches due to everyday use. Get rid of the little scratches as soon as possible to prevent them from worsening and turning into bigger ones. Use leather oil or condition and rub it in a circular motion to help lessen the appearance of the scratch. Leave to dry and apply some leather conditioner to maintain a good level of oil and wax in the leather. Remember to remove the excess product after treatment with a dry cloth. For deeper scratches, rub olive oil with a cotton-swab applicator into the affected area and allow to dry for an hour before wiping it off with a clean cloth. Otherwise, it may need attention by a professional as serious scratches that are left untreated can become permanent tears.  Always consult the leather repair experts and test it on an inconspicuous area first though to be sure you like the results.

If you have treasured leather sofa that can’t be saved anymore or are simply looking for a new leather couch, check out our range of leather furniture at Finn Avenue. Some of our 2 and 3-seater sofas are made not only from top-grain leather, they are French Novillo Calfskin Leather, usually reserved for luxury products due to its softness, fine grains and durability. For more choices, we also carry velvet and linen upholstered sofas in beautiful designs. Complete your home with our furniture accessories including side tables, coffee tables and dressers.

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