Purchasing new furniture can be a tough decision, there are lots of options available to choose from, and one of the things you may not even think of or take into consideration is how you are going to care for the furniture. Different furniture materials require a different level of care, to ensure that the piece lasts as long as possible.
One of the most popular types of furniture is the leather sofa. But before you finalize your purchase, it is important that you know how to properly care for your pieces. If you are going to make the investment into a good leather sofa, you want to ensure it is looking as good as new for as long as possible!
So, have a read on below at some of the best tips to care for your leather sofa:
No DIY Cleaning Combinations
When it comes to cleaning leather sofa, it is probably best to steer clear of your homemade cleaning concoctions; it is best to keep to targeted cleaning products made for leather. These types of homemade cleaning products can actually end up doing more harm than good, and what’s worse it could result in avoiding the warranty of your product.
If you see marks on your leather sofa, the best first step is to try getting the marks out with a bit of water. You don’t want to skip this first step as a lot of the time, the marks could come out with some water. It is also important to not use too much elbow grease. If the marks aren’t coming out with water, then you’ll have to find something a bit stronger, that is made specifically for cleaning leather products.
Cleaning Protected Leather Sofa
There is a difference between protected and unprotected leather sofa, so the cleaning process of these two different types should be different as well. When it comes to protected leather, it can actually withstand heavier use as well as stronger cleaning products.
Although, it is important that you steer clear of any cleaning products that contain alkalies or ammonia. These types of cleaning products can damage the furniture to a point that it can no longer be repaired. Other types of products that you should look to avoid include detergents, furniture polishes, saddle soap or any other abrasive materials.
Cleaning Unprotected Leather Sofa
When it comes to unprotected leather, you have to be a bit more careful that you don’t damage it. You should aim to start off with some less harsh options to see if that can fix the issue before moving on. You should start with something like a simple dusting with a clean dry cloth and vacuuming (with a brush attachment).
You could even try gently wiping the furniture with a cloth that is damp or using an approved leather cleaner. It is a good idea to get recommendations from the company you purchased the leather sofa from, as they would have a lot of suggestions on what works best on the type of leather sofa they sell. When cleaning it is also a good idea to test any products on a section of the furniture that isn’t highly visible, that way if there are issues you don’t have to stare at it all the time!
Cleaning Spills
Something like a couch is going to get a lot of use, and if you are eating or drinking on the couch, then there is an increased chance of spills. Any spills need to be cleaned as quickly as possible, to prevent the limited chance of damage. If you have a spill, you should lightly blot the section with a clean white cloth, then use a slightly damp cloth if needed.