You have to clean and maintain leather furniture in a special way. There are several commercial and homemade products that you can use to clean your leather sofa. By regularly maintaining your leather sofa and using the right products, you can keep it clean and in good condition for years to come.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Remove dirt
Step 1. Remove large pieces of dirt with a vacuum cleaner
Use the handle of your vacuum cleaner to remove all the dirt from the sofa. Focus especially on the cracks and folds in the sofa.
Step 2. Use the brush head of your vacuum cleaner
Place the attachment with the brush on the handle of your vacuum cleaner and run the brush over the leather of the sofa. The bristles are soft and are less likely to scratch the leather of the sofa.
Step 3. Dust the sofa
Use a feather duster or microfiber cloth to lightly dust the entire surface of the sofa. Make sure to remove all dust from the sofa before proceeding with cleaning, as the dust can scratch the leather.
Method 2 of 4: Cleaning the sofa regularly
Step 1. Make your own cleaning mixture
In a small bucket or bowl, mix equal parts water and white vinegar. It is best to use distilled water at room temperature. Tap water may contain other chemicals that can harm the leather.
You can also use a leather cleaner from the store to clean the sofa. Read the instructions on the packaging so that you use the product correctly
Step 2. Dip a cloth in the mixture
Wring out the cloth thoroughly. Make sure that the cloth is only damp, rather than soaking wet. Too much moisture can damage the leather of the sofa.
Step 3. Scrub the bench lightly
Start at the top and then work your way down. Gently scrub the leather off the sofa. Treat a small portion at a time. After a few strokes, rinse the cloth in the mixture and wring it out.
Step 4. Wipe the couch dry
Use a clean cloth and wipe dry a small section of the leather at a time before moving on to the next section.
Method 3 of 4: Removing stains
Step 1. Remove grease stains
Hair, care products and foods can make grease stains on a leather sofa. When you see that there is a grease stain in your sofa, it is best to try to remove it immediately. Wipe the surface of the leather with a leather cleaner and then dry the leather thoroughly. If the grease stain is still in the couch, try sprinkling baking soda or cornstarch on it. Let the powder work for a few hours and then brush off the residue.
Step 2. Remove ink stains
Gently blot the ink stain with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol. Be careful not to soak the leather. When you have removed the stain, clean the surface of the leather with a damp cloth and finally dry the spot thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Step 3. Remove stains caused by liquids
Sometimes drinks like coffee, tea or red wine can get spilled on your leather sofa. It is best to wipe off the liquid immediately and not let it dry on the surface of the leather. When you have mopped up the liquid, carefully clean the leather with a leather cleaner. Do not forget to completely dry the surface of the leather with a dry cloth after cleaning.
Method 4 of 4: Maintaining the sofa
Step 1. Prepare a mixture yourself
Put 500 ml of white vinegar in a bowl and add 10 to 15 drops of lemon oil or tea tree oil. Stir the mixture lightly to mix the oil and vinegar together.
- You can also use a store-bought leather care product instead of a homemade mixture. Read the instructions on the packaging so that you use the product correctly.
- Do not use olive oil, as this can damage the leather over time.
Step 2. Apply the mixture to the entire bench
Dip a corner of a clean cloth in the maintenance mixture. Rub the mixture gently into the leather in circular motions. Let the mixture dry overnight on the couch.
Be careful not to soak the cloth with the mixture or make the sofa too wet. The liquid can damage the leather of the sofa
Step 3. Polish the sofa with a clean cloth
The next day, gently polish the leather sofa to make the leather shine again. Start at the top of the bench and work your way down. Polish the leather using small circular motions.
Service every six to 12 months to keep the leather soft and shiny
Tips
- Test any cleaners you want to use on a small area at the back of the leather sofa before applying them to the entire sofa. Discard the product if it damages the leather.
- Use soft microfiber cloths to avoid scratching the leather.
- Treat your sofa with a maintenance product every six to twelve months.
Warnings
- Read the cleaning instructions that came with the sofa before applying any cleaner or care product to the leather.
- Read the packaging of all store-bought leather cleaning products before applying such a product to the leather.
- Most types of soap can damage the surface of the leather.