Leather furniture looks laconic, sophisticated and elegant at the same time. But it requires special care to maintain its attractiveness for many years. Let's figure out how to properly care for leather furniture.

How to care for leather furniture
How to care for leather furniture?

Preventing problems

Problems can arise due to the incorrect placement of the chair or sofa. The fact is that the skin is sensitive to environmental conditions, if they do not suit her, she will answer negatively. Leather furniture should not be placed near heating devices. It should also be protected from direct sunlight. The room temperature should not rise above +28-30 degrees.

It is believed that leather is a rather demanding material that requires a lot of attention and special care.
It is believed that leather is a rather demanding material that requires a lot of attention and special care.
Important! Skin may be damaged from pet clawsIf your beloved furry friend likes to sharpen his claws on furniture, it is better to choose a different material.

The humidity in the room should be not less than 65%. If your apartment is dry (which is especially common in winter due to the active operation of the radiators), buy a humidifier. Otherwise, you risk soon discovering cracks on the leather surface.

Regularly wipe the furniture from dust, using a clean dry microfiber cloth, at least once a week vacuum, using a nozzle with soft bristles. Small particles easily penetrate the pores, clogging them. Twice a year, treat the surface with a special protective leather care product. You can find it in a furniture store. As it gets dirty, clean the product using special compositions, intended for leather furniture. Most often they can be found on sale in the form of napkins.

How to Clean and Care for Leather Furniture
How to Clean and Care for Leather Furniture

Poor quality dyed clothing or bedding can leave a mark on light skin. Be careful: if the dye lingers on the surface, it will be difficult to remove.

Care products

Cleaning agents are selected taking into account the type of material. For example, the same compounds used to clean aniline surfaces are not suitable for varnished surfaces.

Leather furniture
Leather furniture
Important! Powders, abrasives, solvents are not used for leather at all! They damage the material. Household bleaches and stain removers are also not suitable. Special household chemicals designed for cleaning leather are required.

The following formulations have received good user reviews::

Leather Cleaner

Cream conditioner used for cleaning both genuine and artificial leather regardless of its color. Active components penetrate into the pores, effectively removing impurities from there. The cream helps restore the structure, gives the skin shine, protects against drying and ultraviolet radiation. Can be used not only for furniture, but also for shoes or bags.

HG 4 in 1 for leather

Suitable for removing dirt from natural or dyed leather. It is not recommended to use it for cleaning suede and nubuck. The product creates a protective layer on the surface that repels dust and dirt. When used, the leather becomes more elastic and more resistant to wear.

Unicum

Suitable for all leather products. Restores the original appearance of the material, prevents cracks and peeling. Has a light pleasant aroma. Forms a thin protective layer, protecting against moisture and ultraviolet radiation.

Migliores

Cleaning liquid in spray form. The special nozzle ensures ease of use and reduces consumption. The product removes most of the dirt, while being completely safe for people and animals. Moisturizes and protects the surface of the furniture.

Ethamine of Lys

A remedy with 100% environmentally friendly composition. Gently removes any dirt from the surface, moisturizes, prevents cracks. Natural beeswax in the composition forms a thin protective film on the skin. The product is non-toxic, its vapors will not cause harm to health when inhaled. If it gets on the skin of the hands, it will not cause irritation.

Urgent measures: what to do if you stain your furniture

If you spill a drink on your sofa or stain it in some other way, you will have to act immediately. Moreover, specific measures depend on the type of contamination.

Oil, fat. Immediately blot the stain with a napkin or dry cloth. Then sprinkle some sorbent on top. Talc, flour or table salt will do. They will draw out the part of the oil that has managed to be absorbed, and also get rid of the specific aroma.

Chewing gum. Do not use a hair dryer to melt the gum. Also, do not use a blade to scrape it off the surface. It is better to freeze the gum with a few ice cubes. After that, it will be possible to remove it with a light movement of the hand.

Drinks: tea, coffee, juices, wine. Shake off (don't wipe, just brush off) the drops as quickly as possible. Then use a special cleaning agent. If you don't have one at hand, apply a small amount of soap foam to the stain and leave for 5-15 minutes. Then remove with a cloth soaked in warm water. And act quickly, otherwise the stain will become ingrained and will be difficult to remove.

Felt-tip pens, pens. Traces can be removed using a cotton pad soaked in alcohol. Special alcohol wipes also work well on such stains.

Melted chocolateGlycerin soap will help get rid of the stain.

Important! When removing a stain, move from the edges to the center. Otherwise, you risk stretching the stained area and spreading the dye further.

What is not recommended to do

Don't leave colored clothes, blankets or children's toys on a light-colored sofa for a long time.The dye can seep into the pores, making it difficult to remove.

Avoid using soap solution. Water and alkali contribute to the appearance of cracks on the surface, as they dry out the delicate material. Rubbing the sofa with a damp cloth is also not worth it: such “care” also provokes cracking.

It is important to properly care for leather furniture
It is important to properly care for leather furniture

If the product is damaged anyway

Small cuts, holes or cracks can be sealed liquid skin. A special adhesive composition will also do. On dark leather, abrasions can be removed with orange peel. But do not use it to reanimate light leather; warm milk is more suitable here.

If the damage is severe, you will have to do it leather upholstery re-upholstery. The color and texture will be selected taking into account your wishes.

Glycerin, a sponge, and a soft cloth can help restore the shine lost due to regular use of furniture. But the effect will not last long, and restoration measures will have to be repeated after a couple of weeks.

Frequently asked questions

How can I be sure that my new cleaning product won't damage my sofa's surface?

Test it first on a small, inconspicuous area, like under the seat.

What safety rules should be followed when cleaning leather furniture?

Wear gloves to protect your skin. Avoid getting the chemicals in your eyes or on mucous membranes; do not touch your face until the procedure is complete. If the product does get in your eye, rinse it with plenty of warm water. Children and pets should be removed from the room. It is recommended to open the windows.

When is the best time to contact a dry cleaner?

If you are not sure of your abilities, the chosen cleaning agent or you have not gotten rid of stains after cleaning, you should contact professionals. It is also better not to experiment with complex stains on your own.

Is it possible to dry the surface with a hair dryer after cleaning so as not to wait too long for drying?

Never dry the leather surface with heating devices. You risk getting cracks and spoiling the appearance of the product.

What else should you consider when caring for leather goods?

It is important to clean with light, smooth circular movements. Do not apply excessive force, make sudden movements or jerks.

Video tips on caring for leather furniture