How to properly care for leather furniture

Optimal care for leather furniture

Daily care of leather furniture

The surface of natural leather has a porous structure, so it is important to regularly remove accumulated dust, which over time can penetrate the material. To do this, it is sufficient to wipe the furniture with a dry, clean cloth every few days. You can use special microfiber or flannel cloths.

If the stains are too stubborn and require damp treatment, you can moisten the cloth slightly with distilled water. This water does not contain salts or impurities that can dry or damage the skin.

It is worth noting that aniline leather, that is, untreated, should not be wiped with a damp cloth, as this can lead to darkening, roughness and loss of color surface. If there is a need to clean such furniture, it is better to ask for help from professionals.

It is a good idea to vacuum your leather furniture about once a week using a soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the leather. Taking care of leather furniture at home is not very difficult, the main thing is to do it regularly.

Professional care for leather furniture

Over time, the leather on furniture loses its natural moisture and oils that make it soft and supple. To keep leather upholstery in good condition for a long time, it is recommended to treat it with a special conditioner at least once every six months. The conditioner has a similar composition and consistency to a cream and provides protection to the leather from cracking. Special leather care products and conditioners can be purchased at furniture stores and auto parts stores, as they are also used for car leather interior care.

Over time, leather furniture inevitably becomes darker, and stains can appear on the surface, which are difficult to remove on your own. Therefore, once a year it is worth turning to professionals for professional cleaning. It is more convenient to call a master at home, as it will save time compared to taking the furniture to the dry cleaner yourself. In addition, transporting furniture can entail the risk of damage to sofas and chairs. After cleaning the furniture, you can ask the handyman to treat it with an air conditioner for extra protection.

What to do if the upholstery of leather furniture is accidentally damaged?

If you accidentally encounter a situation where the upholstery of your furniture is damaged, there are several methods that can help restore it to its original condition.

If liquid gets on the leather surface, you should wipe it off immediately to prevent it from being absorbed. Then wipe the spot with a cloth soaked in distilled water and dry it.

If small scratches have appeared on the furniture from, for example, fingernails or from sitting on a leather sofa in jeans with buckles on the back pockets, you can repair the damage yourself with a product known as "liquid leather".

In the event that gum is stuck to the leather sofa, it is not advisable to try to remove it with a knife, as this may scratch the surface of the leather. Instead, put some ice cubes in a bag and apply it to the damage for a few minutes. When the gum freezes, it will easily separate from the surface.

To remove greasy spots on the skin, immediately sprinkle them with talcum powder or fine salt, as these products absorb grease well. After a few hours, wipe the soiled area with a dry cloth.

Small scuffs can be repaired with special products such as dyes, liquid leather or repair gel. A furniture salon will be able to help you and choose the best option for your case. However, in the case of serious damage, such as a scratched sofa or a chair gnawed by a dog, it is recommended to contact specialists to restore the product.

Now let's look at what actions are not recommended with leather furniture. Hard brushes and abrasive sponges should be avoided, as they can lead to scratches and scuffs.

It is also not recommended to use home remedies to care for leather furniture. Although you can find many tips online on how to remove stains with lemon juice, vinegar, or ammonia, such products can ruin the surface of the leather, even if they help remove the stain.

The use of cleaners not designed for leather is also unacceptable. All-purpose cleaners, solvents and bleach can have a negative impact on the appearance of the furniture.

Prevent premature wear and tear on leather furniture

To prevent premature wear and tear on leather furniture, there are a few rules you should follow:

1. Position sofas and armchairs at least 50 cm away from radiators and avoid placing heaters close to furniture to prevent them from drying out.
2. During active sunshine, especially at noon, cover the windows with curtains or drape the area of the sofa or chair with a plaid to prevent the upholstery from fading due to sunlight.
3. Monitor the humidity level in the room by maintaining optimum values between 40% and 70%. In the winter, when the heating season is on, it is recommended to use humidifiers, and in periods of high humidity to air the room more often. This will help maintain the softness and resiliency of the leather upholstery.
4. When away for long periods of time, cover furniture to avoid dust on sofas and chairs.