Cleaning Leather Furniture

Cleaning Leather Furniture

The best thing to do with dirty or stained leather furniture is to check with the manufacturer. They may have suggestions or cleaning codes posted on their website, or through a hotline. Always test your cleaning method on part of the furniture that is not often visible, like the back of a leather sofa or loveseat. This can help avoid unsightly mistakes!

We can’t guarantee that the methods described in this article will not further damage your leather furniture, as there are many factors including the type of leather and the nature of the dirt or stains that you’re cleaning. Be gentle and careful, starting off with a restrained approach until you are certain that your furniture is safe.

Everyday Cleaning

A soft cloth lathered with moisturizing soap can be used to remove dirt and grime from your leather sofa. Don’t allow the leather to become too wet, and don’t rinse it off after washing it. Use a soft cloth to buff the leather, and polish it as usual.

Maintenance

Look into over the counter leather conditioners or consider using hide food to nourish your leather surfaces. Hide food is made with one part white vinegar, two parts linseed oil: shake well and apply to the leather with a circular motion using a soft cloth. Cover the entire surface and rub it in thoroughly. Let it sit for about ten minutes, then use a soft cloth to buff the surface for a nice shine.

Cleaning with Water Based Liquids

Due to the quality of modern dyes, water based cleaning liquids will not usually stain a leather sofa. Dab or blot the liquid onto the surface of the leather, but don’t scrub or rub with it. Carefully blot the leather with a paper towel or soft cloth until the cloth is dry. Allow the leather to air dry.

Grease or Butter Stains

NEVER use water to clean butter or grease stains on your leather furniture! Dab the surface of the leather with a soft towel until you’ve absorbed as much as possible. Afterwards, wait a day or so to let the stain “cure”, and have another look. Usually the oils will absorb into the leather and the stain will vanish. Try using leather sofa cleaner if the stain persists.

Cleaning Ink Stains

To get ink stains out of your leather loveseat or sofa, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and carefully rub it over the stain. Afterwards, use a blow dryer to dry the area. If that doesn’t do the trick, try using an acetone-free nail polish remover. Use a soft cloth to rub a small amount of polish remover on it, and the stain should vanish almost instantly. Afterwards, use a leather cleaner and conditioner to remove any trace of the nail-polish remover and moisturize the leather.

Dark Stains

Dark stains can be removed from a light colored sofa with a mix of one part lemon juice and one part cream of tartar. Apply the paste to the stain and let it set for about 10 minutes. Rub another layer of the paste into the leather, then remove with a damp sponge and moisturizing soap.

Wrapping Up

After you’ve performed any of these cleaning methods on your sofa, you should apply quality leather conditioning cream or some hide food to keep your leather in good condition.

Related Articles

If you're looking for interior decorating tips check out our Real Design home decor tips.

If you're interested in buying leather furniture check out our Leather Furniture Guide and our article on Cleaning Leather Furniture.

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