Cleaning your leather furniture requires a little more attention and care. We have listed some tips below to help you properly clean leather and preserve its beauty.
However, be sure to test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area first to ensure you won’t damage your piece of furniture. Remember not to rub too hard, as this will push the dirt further into the leather.
Lightly soiled or sticky areas
These are easy to clean with mild, all-natural soap. Use light passes, rinse the cloth often and wring it well. Finally, wipe away with a dry cloth to keep the leather surface dry.
Water stains
These are often caused by condensation from a glass, as the water drops dry. Use a clean sponge soaked into lukewarm water and wring it as dry as possible. Wipe the spot without scrubbing. Wet the rest of the leather so that the entire surface can dry uniformly.
Oil stains
For cleaning oil stains on your leather furniture you have to act fast. A good solution to absorb the oil is using cornstarch. Rub the powder into the stain with your fingers and see how heating will help the cornstarch absorb the oil faster than the leather. Vacuum the powder off and repeat if needed.
Ink marks
Ink is a dye and ink stains are absorbed quickly. Small stains often disappear as the leather takes them in. But, if you don’t want to dissolve color from your leather, avoid treating large stains on your own. You’d better trust professional leather cleaners.
Mold or mildew
Spray the leather with a mild solution of vinegar and water. This will have disinfecting effect. Try to wipe it quickly to prevent soaking in.
Heavily soiled areas
Use a natural leather cleaner, as cleaning products that are not designed specifically for leather can strip away the leather’s natural oils, causing it to dry out and crack over time.
