People who own leather furniture often need cleaning tips to ensure they keep their items conditioned properly. This material is particularly sensitive to stains and damage, so it needs regular attention to stay in excellent condition. It’s helpful to remember that the material should be cared for like it was skin, even though it has been removed from its host and repurposed. Because of this, removing dirt, while necessary, is not enough to keep the furniture from deteriorating. It must be treated with the proper emollients with regularity to ensure it doesn’t dry out or crack. Here are 10 leather cleaning tips to keep in mind when maintaining furniture:
- This material is extremely sensitive to spills and liquid stains. As soon as anything is spilled on the furniture, it must be removed from the surface immediately. This substance is highly porous, like living skin, and will quickly soak up any liquids. Once this occurs, it will be much harder to get rid of the stain.
- This furniture normally comes with tags that offer many leather cleaning tips. This information can help a homeowner decide which substances to use when conditioning the item.
- Many cleaners are too harsh for this type of furniture. Even soap that is appropriate for hard leather may be too much for the softer material commonly used on sofas and chairs. In general, anything with ammonia or alkaline can damage the furniture beyond repair, so avoid them completely.
- A good substance to use when treating this type of furniture is any mild soap that can be safely used on people but care should be exercised even with these products, especially on brushed leather.
- Before using any soap or water on the furniture, use a soft brush to remove any dirt. This should be done regularly, because solid debris can scratch the furniture. This will also allow the material to breathe and prevent any microbes from growing.
- One of the most important leather cleaning tips to observe is maintaining the furniture’s finish. This is normally done with a product sold for this purpose particularly, or some form of oil. The substance should be applied a few times and buffed on with a soft cloth.
- Avoid using any oils that contain silicon or wax. These may permanently adhere to the surface of the material and make it sticky.
- To protect the furniture from cracking or drying out, keep it out of direct sunlight and move it away from anything that produces heat.
- Professionals should be hired to treat the furniture when it is damaged or badly stained. This is necessary to restore and preserve the material.
These leather cleaning tips will help a homeowner maintain the look and feel of the furniture. However, when these aren’t enough, it’s best to hire a professional to thoroughly treat the material. Unlike most fabrics, leather is extremely difficult to restore once it is damaged and it is sensitive to many things. Technicians certified through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC, are trained to maintain this type of furniture covering properly. With this expertise, these professionals can often restore a piece of furniture to its original quality and beauty.