We're sorry, but this page can not be found. If you typed the page's address into your browser, please check your spelling. If you are visiting from another site or a search engine, it may be that the page has recently moved. In that case, please send us an email Leather is one of the most durable, long-lasting types of upholstery available. That's why leather furniture is typically so expensive. Knowing how to maintain and clean your leather furniture (with ingredients you probably already have in your stockpile!) can help protect your pricey investment, keeping it looking amazing for decades to come. Leather cleaners and maintainers can cost up to $10. It costs $2 or less to make your own cleaners and leather nourishers. That's a savings of 80 percent! 1. Wipe down your leather furniture with a clean, white cloth once a week. The white cloth not only removes dust and debris, it doesn’t leave behind any dyes like colored washcloths could. They also make it easy to see when you have removed every speck of dust.
2. Vacuum your furniture once a month or so to remove any deep down dirt or grime. 3. To nourish the leather, mix together two parts linseed oil with one part white vinegar. Mix or shake this “hide food” thoroughly. Pour a little bit of it onto a soft cloth and gently wipe the surface of your leather furniture. Work in circular motions until the entire surface is covered. Allow the furniture to sit for about 10 minutes and then buff the leather with a soft cloth until it's shiny. Clean your leather furniture with a damp, soft cloth. Just be sure the cloth is damp and not soaking wet. For tough dirt and grime, use a gentle moisturizing soap like Dove or baby shampoo. Lather the soap on with a cloth, being sure not to over-wet the leather, which can damage it. Do not rinse off the soap, just buff it away. The soap actually works as a leather conditioner. Never use strong detergents, alcohol or harsh chemicals to clean your leather furniture. All of these can permanently damage it.
Ink stains: Remove stains like ink by dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover. Gently rub the spot until it disappears (this might take a couple of tries) and then blow dry it on the lowest setting. If the stain is particularly stubborn, rub a thick coat of non-oily, non-gel cuticle remover onto the leather. Allow it to sit overnight and then gently wipe the stain away with a damp cloth. Dark stains: Dark and protein-based stains (like mud, blood and food) can be removed by mixing together a paste of one part cream of tartar and one part lemon juice. Rub the paste into the stain and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Add another layer of the paste, really rubbing it into the stain and then remove it with a damp sponge. Buff the leather with a soft cloth until it's dry. Water stains: Water rings and stains can be removed with mayonnaise. Just apply the condiment in a thick layer and allow it to sit for a couple of hours. Wipe the mayo off (along with the water stain) using a dry cloth and allow the leather to dry.
Edit ArticleHow to Clean a Leather Sofa Leather furniture requires specific methods of care. With regular maintenance and the right products, you can keep a leather sofa clean and in good condition. Use the tips below to clean your leather sofa. Dust the sofa thoroughly. Pay special attention to the spaces between the sofa's seat cushions. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the larger debris, then wipe all over with a clean, soft cloth. This ensures that dust and dirt will not be pressed into the leather as you continue the cleaning process. When using the vacuum, be careful not to scratch the leather with the plastic cleaning attachments. Carefully observe where the sofa most needs cleaning. When cleaning leather, a less-is-more approach is called for. If there are only a few grimy spots, concentrate on those areas and leave the rest alone as much as possible. Wipe down relatively clean areas with a clean, damp (not wet) cloth. That’s all it really needs.
For cleaning suede or nubuck sofas, you will need a different approach than the one described here. See this guide for more advice on how to clean suede. For lightly soiled areas, wipe down with a damp, soapy cloth. This is good for big patches of light soiling that would be tedious (and expensive) to clean with leather cleaner. Use a mild, all-natural soap that does not contain Sodium Laurel Sulfate or the like. Harsh soap will cause the leather to dry out. Do a spot test first in a part of the sofa that is hidden from view. Don’t rub too hard, as this will just push the dirt further into the leather. This method is also good for cleaning off anything sticky and water soluble Use light passes, and rinse the cloth often. Wring the cloth out well so it’s not too wet. Alternate with a clean dry cloth to wipe away loose dirt. This should also keep the surface of the leather relatively dry. If there is any mold or mildew, lightly spray the leather with a mild solution of vinegar and water.
Try to use as little liquid as possible, and wipe quickly to keep it from soaking in too much. The vinegar is a mild disinfectant and should kill any mold. Buy a leather cleaner for more heavily soiled areas. 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. Look for a good saddle soap or natural leather cleaner that contains natural beeswax and not too many petroleum products or solvents. The best cleaners are wax rather than oil-based. This allows the cleaning product to condition the surface of the leather, but not soak in too much and change the way the leather “breathes.” Contrary to popular belief, neatsfoot oil is not the best treatment for leather. However, it’s ok in small amounts. Remember that leather is a natural material, and every piece is a little bit different. You may have to try several different cleaners before finding one that works for your particular sofa.
Spot test the cleaner. Clean a small spot that is not easily visible before using it on the entire sofa. Make sure that the leather has dried fully and that no stains or discolorations are left behind before using the product on the entire sofa. Many leather cleaners contain solvents that can discolor the leather. Apply the cleaning product with a damp cloth. Dip the damp cloth into the cleaning product. Applying medium pressure, rub the surface of the leather with a circular motion. Dampen the cloth lightly. A cloth that is too wet will leave stains on the leather. Start with areas that are the least dirty (but still need cleaning). Then work your way to dirtier areas. This keeps the dirt from spreading. Change or clean the cloth often. Keep reapplying cleaner and using a clean part of the cloth until you have cleaned all the parts of the sofa that need cleaning. Wipe excess cleaner from the sofa.This may or may not be possible, depending on the type and severity of the stain.
Stains that are deeply set in or contain stubborn dyes may not come out. Go back over the stain with a heavy duty leather cleaner that is mildly abrasive. In a pinch, you can use a bit of toothpaste. Wipe off completely when you’re done. Remember to spot test any cleaners you use first! If the stain does not come out easily, don’t keep scrubbing it, as this may damage the leather. Remember sometimes it’s better to just leave well enough alone. Consider just flipping the cushion over, if possible. If all else fails, consult a professional cleaner. They may be able to remove the stains for you or at least give more detailed information about how to remove your particular stain.When the sofa is completely dry, put a light coating of leather preservative all over the sofa. Again, use a natural, wax-based leather conditioner for best results. Condition your sofa regularly to keep the leather supple and protected. Do this at least once a year. Buff the sofa all over with a clean cloth.
This will make the leather shine. Show more unanswered questions If you use a leather conditioner after cleaning your sofa, confirm that it's gentle. Do not use leather conditioner on your sofa too often; every 6 to 12 months should be sufficient. You may need to dilute some cleaning products with water before using them. Read the directions on the product you choose. Dusting your sofa regularly will make cleaning easier. Wipe down your leather sofa once a week with a dry cloth to keep it clean. You may also cover your leather sofa with a sheet when it's not in use. Keeping your leather sofa away from sunlight and heat will help to maintain its appearance and condition. Clean up any spills or stains as soon as possible after they happen. It’s a lot easier to remove new stains before they have dried and set in. When you buy your sofa, keep it in good condition by having it professionally treated. Don't forget to test any product or cleaning technique in an inconspicuous part of the sofa first.