Caring for the leather furniture and upholstery in your home is easier than you might think! After all, many people prefer leather furniture simply because it’s easier to maintain than more traditional furniture fabrics like cotton, wool, or silk. Leather is durable and low maintenance, and it you have small children (who like to spill their drinks) or pets (that shed a lot), you’ll quickly learn that it’s an easy-to-clean, fluid resistant option.
Though leather is relatively low maintenance, many people aren’t sure how to properly clean it. How do you keep surfaces from getting scratched, faded, or marred? How do you prevent general wear and tear?
Step 1: Find out what type of leather you have
Many people aren’t aware that there are different types of leather, and that each different type has slightly different maintenance needs.
For example, types of unfinished aniline leather, though soft and velvety, are more sensitive to staining and fading, requiring more cleaning and maintenance. Aniline leathers aren’t given a protective pigmental coating and often have mild surface grains or spotting for a more natural look.
Other types of protected leathers, like semianaline or pigmented leathers, are more stain-resistant and durable, but often have a slightly stiffer feel. Because they’re coated in pigmented oils and waxes, they tend to have a more uniform surface sheen and are much more likely to endure long-term wear and tear, but might feel a little less comfortable.
It’s important to be aware of which type of leather clads your furniture and do some research to determine best maintenance practices. So, if you‘re thinking of buying a sofa or chair, consider asking the sales associate for more info about what type of leather you’re buying. If you already have a leather sofa and aren’t sure what type of material it’s made of, a good place to start is simple to check the tag before researching its maintenance needs.
Step 2: No matter what type of leather you have, plan to clean it regularly
When properly cared for, leather can actually start to look better over time. If it’s ignored, it can quickly start to look a little worn out. Plan to follow these steps once per week:
- Use a soft cloth or a vacuum equipped with a soft brush attachment to brush away any dirt that might have settled on the surfaces.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe your sofa down. Make sure you don’t soak your furniture too much, and use non-chlorinated water where possible to prevent long-term chemical staining.
- Let your sofa dry naturally and avoid sitting on it until its finished to avoid creasing.
Step 3: Oils and Cleaners
On top of the steps above, we also recommend purchasing a proven and tested leather cleaner and using it to clean your sofa at least once per month. It’s also recommended that you use a specialized conditioner on your sofa in order to keep the sheen looking pristine.
Other Steps
Here are some tips for general leather maintenance:
- To prevent dryness and cracking, position your leather furniture away from direct sunlight and heat
- Regularly plump your sofa cushions
- Wipe up spills as quickly as possible with a soft, dry cloth
Going Forward
Before After
Before After
Leather is often chosen for being durable, and low-maintenance. What many people don’t know, however, is that even if your leather does get damaged, scratched, stained, or worn, it’s actually very easy to restore. At New Creations, we’ve developed cutting edge innovations to help maintain leathers and keep any type of surface looking good, and one of our technicians can come directly to you on short notice to provide all your restoration needs!
Visit here for before and after pictures, and contact us for more information!
