How to Clean, Condition and Protect Leather

One of the more resilient, low-maintenance surfaces for home furnishings is leather. Leather is a material that immediately adds beauty and class to a space. In fact, leather sofas are an expensive investment you have made for your house. However, it comes with the additional baggage of regular and correct maintenance. But if you take the right precautions, maintaining a leather chair, sofa, or ottoman is fairly easy. It is essential to maintain them because them in order to extend their lives. Here’s how to recognise, care for, and maintain leather upholstery in home so that it always looks wonderful.

Have a look!

Recognize your leather. Depending on the type of leather you’re working with, you will need to apply a specific cleaning method. Suede and unfinished leather don’t have a layer of protection, while finished leather does. A good amount of saddle soap can be used on a polished leather couch, but even mild soap can prove to be too abrasive for the most sensitive leathers. To be sure that the cleaning agent doesn’t harm the leather, test it beforehand in a discreet area.

Avoid using DIY cleaning chemicals. While cleaning leather, avoid using regular cleaning agents and instead use water or leather-specific cleaners. Common household remedies like white vinegar, baking soda, etc. can be abrasive and aggravate the problem on delicate leathers.

Immediate treatment of stains. Liquid stains should be immediately removed. Start by blotting them with a soft cloth to remove moisture. Once blotting is done, clean the area with a soft, moist towel and warm, soap-free water. You can also use leather cleaner. To prevent leaving a water stain, avoid rubbing and follow it by some blotting again.

Moisturize. Once you have cleaned the leather, start using a leather conditioner for restoring moisture. Use a brush, sponge, or microfiber cloth to rub the leather conditioner into your leather in a circular motion with soft hands.

Dry cleaning for stubborn stains. If stubborn stains such as grease, ink, etc, are not been removed by thorough spot cleaning, it is time to dry clean or call a professional.
However, some stains can mend over time. Leather is a highly tough material, therefore there are times when letting the stain sink into the leather is the best course of action, even though it can take weeks or even months.

Safeguard your leather. To keep your leather products in good condition, frequently wipe dirt and grime off of them. Waxing can make some items more water-resistant, like shoes. Sprays that provide waterproofing may be useful for some items, such as leather jackets.

Keep it away from the sun’s rays. The softness of leather is a result of the material’s inherent dampness. It will eventually dry out from prolonged exposure to sunshine, which will lead to the material separating. Avoid storing leather items in direct sunlight or using this method to dry them out if they get wet. It would be better if they were allowed to dry naturally without additional heat.

How To Condition Leather

You can create your own oil-based leather conditioner at home if you’d want to use one. A wonderful barrier is created by mixing one part vinegar with two parts linseed oil or flaxseed oil while conditioning leather to prevent future stains and other harm. Spread this mixture evenly over the leather surface in small circles, and then let it sit overnight. The excess can be wiped away and buff the leather the following morning with a clean rag. The mixture will absorb some of the leather. This way you can easily condition leather with DIY tricks. It is important to maintain leather as the health risks associated with dirty upholstery cannot be neglected.

How to protect leather?

It is recommended by experts to clean and condition your leather items at least once every three months. While store bought solutions can withstand six months of usage and abuse, they provide the most protection when applied around every three months, or around the time the product’s inherent water repellent properties begin to wear off.
Maintaining leather’s moisture, suppleness, and smoothness is key to protecting it. Leather dries out and is more prone to cracking if it is constantly exposed to moisture or wet air without additional conditioning.

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If you are unsure about the reasons to clean your leather upholstery, give us a call right away! We shall enlighten you on the same and provide all the necessary information related to leather upholstery cleaning. Contact us today!