A leather sofa is an investment that can last you many years. Their durability makes them an attractive alternative to fabric sofas. Yet they still need regular maintenance. Heat, light and dust can cause damage over time, leading to cracks or discolouration in your sofa. Luckily, maintenance is easy and takes just a few minutes out of your cleaning routine. Here’s how to care for your leather sofas!
Assess The Leather Type
Some leather sofas are aniline or semi-aniline, meaning they are dyed with soluble pigments. This means the leather retains a more natural look, but also leaves it more vulnerable to damage. If you have an aniline or semi-aniline leather sofa, it may be best to use leather cleaners as soap can discolour or damage the fabric. Most leather sofas however are protected sofas, and therefore they are easier to clean. This guide is more tailored to maintaining a protected leather sofa.
Dust or Vacuum
When you are vacuuming or dusting your living room, be sure to take a couple of minutes to tend to your sofa as well. The leather material is much easier to clean than fabric sofas, and a quick job to remove dust shouldn’t be time consuming. Removing potentially abrasive dirt and dust can keep your sofa looking better for longer.
Wipe It Down
Every 6 to 12 months, it is recommended that you give your leather sofa a wipe down. Use a soft cloth with a very mild soap solution, as harsher soaps or detergents can damage your leather. Wipe the sofa down and rinse it with a clean damp cloth. Blot any extra liquid up.
Condition
For extra longevity for your leather, you can use a leather conditioner after wiping the sofa down. Apply this conditioner with a soft cloth. This helps to prevent cracks in your sofa, keeping it soft and looking its best. It’s important that you use a purpose-made leather conditioner so as not to accidentally cause damage to your leather. While you only need to condition every 6 to 12 months, this can add years of life to your leather.
With a bit of regular maintenance, you will find that leather sofas can last you for many years! And remember to get it professionally cleaned once a year to prolong its life! You can see here how we do it. Like our Facebook page for more videos and photos.
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