If you have leather furniture, it’s probably the showpiece of your home. It’s nearly always more expensive than cloth furniture, it feels so soft and luxurious, and it lends any room an air of sophistication. Therefore, you’re sure to want to take care of it in the right way. Like any other home furnishing, leather furniture gets dusty and suffers spills, stains, or marks over time, but cleaning leather requires special care and attention – using the wrong product could ruin your beautiful sofa or chair. Trust this advice from your Austin home cleaning company!
Fortunately, It’s Cleaning Time has some answers for you! This article is the first in a two-part guide to caring for your leather furniture. Next time we’ll talk about spot-cleaning marks and stains, but for now, here’s the procedure for basic care:
- To begin with, vacuum your sofa, chair, chaise lounge, or other leather furniture with a soft brush attachment. Be sure to suck up any and all dust, crumbs, or other debris. If these particles stick around for the wiping-down step, they could scratch or become ground into the leather.
- Bleach, ammonia, harsh cleaners, and even plain water can all damage your nice leather by dehydrating or discoloring it, so don’t even think about using them. Instead, use one of these three solutions: equal parts white vinegar and water, water mixed with a few drops of commercial leather cleaner, or moisturizing soap (such as Dove) and water. Always test any solution on an inconspicuous part of the leather before using on the whole sofa.
- Use a soft cloth (microfiber is best) to clean the leather with the solution you’ve mixed up. Always wring the cloth out, so it’s only damp, not soaked, before applying to your furniture. Use the cloth and cleaning solution to go over all of the leather.
- Gently dry the furniture with a clean towel. Do not use a blowdryer or fan, as this may dehydrate the leather.
- After cleaning, condition your leather to restore its shine. Mix together one part white vinegar and two parts linseed or flax seed oil. Use a soft, clean cloth (not the one you used to wash the leather) to apply the conditioning solution with broad, circular motions. Let it sit for six to eight hours or over night. Then buff the furniture with yet another clean cloth. You may have to buff the item twice before sitting on it.
This procedure should be carried out every three to six months. On a more frequent basis, simply remove dust and debris from your leather furniture with a feather duster or vacuum with a soft brush attachment. Then turn and fluff any cushions to keep them from developing wrinkles over time.
It’s Cleaning Time is proud to be your go-to source in Austin for home cleaning assistance. We offer a range of services and schedules to fit your needs and your budget. And stay tuned to our blog for helpful tips on how you can keep things clean at home between our visits!
