If you know the right way to clean and care for leather furniture, you will no longer need to cover it up every time you expect visitors. Here are valuable tips to keep leather looking as good as new.
Check the Type of Leather -
The first step to cleaning this natural fabric involves understanding the type of leather you are working with. You can get clues by reading the tiny instructional tags attached to the unit. The manufacturer usually includes cleaning and maintenance tips on these tags or includes a pamphlet detailing the same. If you can't locate it, you can contact the retailer to inspect the type of leather. Companies handling reupholstering projects can also help determine the type of leather because they deal with varied upholstery fabrics on a daily basis.
Daily Vacuuming To Remove Dust -
Leather attracts dust and dirt like a magnet. Hence, in order to keep it lively and bright looking, you should dust it at least once a week. You can dust it manually with a microfiber dust cloth or use a vacuum cleaner for a thorough clean up. A vacuum cleaner gets rid of dust that settles deep in the creases. Use a soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the leather.
Protect from Direct Heat
Prolonged exposure to heat weakens the material's integrity causing it to wear out faster. As such, leather furniture should not be kept in direct sunlight. Also, it should not be positioned near a fireplace.
Cleaning out Stains
Stains and spills mar the appearance of leather. It includes ink stains, food spills, gum, newspaper prints, water marks, urine, paint and crease. The directions of stain removal differ according to the stain. Some are easier to remove while others require commercial grade cleaning agents because they are deep set. The best preventive tip is to try to remove a stain as soon as it appears. You are likely to get favorable results if you act fast. If you allow the stain to soak, you might need to call in a furniture cleaning professional to restore it to its original condition.
Use a Leather Conditioner
After you clean a leather surface, dry it completely using a clean rag. Thereafter, apply a commercial grade leather conditioner to it. The leather conditioner preserves the color and the natural sheen of the fabric.
Other Tips:
- Whatever product you use, remember to test it first similar to the 24-hour test we do for cosmetic products. Different types of leather respond differently.
- When you use a cleaning agent or the regular water and hand-wash solution, make sure you do not saturate the leather.
- Dry the leather item in the sun once in a while. It will help prevent mold growths.
Discolored and torn leather fabric cannot be repaired at home. It needs a professional to look into the job. In most of these situations, reupholstering leather furniture is the only fix. Hence, inspect the furniture properly before you choose a solution.
