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Many people choose leather furniture to furnish their home.   Some choose leather for its luxury and beauty, others because it can hold up to the demands of a busy family. Whatever your reason, you have made a big investment. With a few leather cleaning tips and a little elbow grease, you can keep your leather furniture looking beautiful for many years to come!

The most important of leather cleaning tips is to check your furniture's label before you do anything!   This will give you exact care instructions to prevent damaging your furniture. Next, be sure you have the right supplies on hand. Purchase a premium leather cleaner that contains natural oils or you can make one yourself. For homemade leather cleaner, mix together 2 cups linseed oil with 1 cup vinegar. Stock up on soft, lint-free cloths.

Some leather cleaning tips you can use at regular intervals to keep your furniture looking beautiful are:

Weekly: Dust with a soft cloth to keep your furniture dust-free.                        

Monthly: Vacuum with the brush attachment, vacuuming up all food crumbs beneath the cushions. These are abrasive and left for too long, will scratch and damage the leather on the underside of your cushion.

Every few months: Apply a premium leather cleaner with a soft cloth or sponge. Leave on for a few hours.   Wipe excess off with a soft cloth in a circular motion. This will give your leather a lustrous shine and provide a protective finish. 

STAIN REMOVAL

Stain prevention is the best way to keep your leather furniture looking new for years. To prevent staining, fading or scorching, keep your leather furniture out of direct sunlight, and away from cooking areas and heat sources.   Close your blinds or curtains during the sunny part of the day. Avoid smoking on or near your leather to avoid burns and smoke stains. Cover your furniture for high risk activities, such as polishing your nails, gluing, coloring with ink pens or paints, feeding or changing a baby, eating greasy foods or drinking colorful punch (especially with unfinished leather).

Because leather is porous and stains easily, the most important of leather cleaning tips is to IMMEDIATELY clean up spills using a leather-specific cleaner. Tougher stains might need a different approach.    To remove bubble gum, dry with a hair dryer until gum is completely dried out. Gently remove with a clean, white cloth. Follow up with a leather conditioner.   For the next few leather cleaning solutions, test first in a small, inconspicuous area, since some can remove the dye in your furniture along with the stain. To remove mold or mildew mix together equal parts isopropyl alcohol and water, spray onto moldy area, and gently wipe with a clean, white cloth. Continue to rotate cloth to clean spots as it gets dirty (you may need a few cloths for large jobs). Allow to dry away from the sun.  For ink or nail polish, pour acetone-free nail polish remover directly onto a clean, white cloth. Blot gently over stain, rotating cloth to avoid re-depositing the stain. Hairspray also works great on ink and other more difficult stains. Spray right on soiled area, gently wipe,  repeat until the stain is gone. Toothpaste is a great abrasive stain remover when your stain calls for it. Apply directly onto the stain, gently rub it in,  then clean off.   Avoid using this on high-gloss leather as it will scratch. 

With a these easy leather cleaning tips, a little elbow grease and an ounce of prevention,  you will ensure a long, beautiful life for your leather furniture!

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