Leather furniture is elegant and luxurious, making it a great addition to your home. However, in order to keep it looking that way for years to come, it is crucial that you clean your leather furniture on a regular basis. Not only does this keep it clean, but it also extends the life of the leather, keeping it supple and soft. Here are our tips for cleaning leather furniture properly.
Determine the Type of Leather You Have
There are many different variations of leather, but the most common types used in home furnishings are:
- Protected
- Aniline
- Nubuck
It is important to identify which type of leather you are working with because each has its own unique care requirements. The type of leather can also determine which cleaning products you can use without causing any damage. If you are unsure, always test your cleaning product on an area that is not readily visible, like underneath a chair or the back of a sofa.
Clean Your Furniture
Start by vacuuming your furniture, including in between and under the cushions. This gets rid of major pieces of dirt and debris so that you have a smooth surface to work with. Next, spot clean any visible stains to help remove them more easily.
The next step is to thoroughly clean the leather to loosen up any remaining dirt and bring it to the surface. Be sure to completely rinse away any residue to prevent it from drying out your leather. Once your leather furniture has dried, you’ll be able to see if additional spot-treating is needed.
Apply a Conditioner
After you have finished cleaning your leather furniture, you’ll want to apply a conditioning treatment to lock in essential oils to keep your leather looking great. At this stage, you can also apply protectants to prevent future stains and other damage from sunlight.
Trust Chet’s Cleaning
Cleaning leather furniture is a detailed process that requires proper care and know-how to do so correctly. In fact, professional leather cleaners go through extensive training to master the process and obtain the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification. Not fully understanding the process for cleaning leather furniture can result in damaging your furniture, shortening its lifespan or even requiring it to be replaced altogether. Because of this, it is often better to trust this task to the professionals, rather than attempting to do it yourself.
Here at Chet’s Cleaning, we are highly experienced in cleaning leather furniture and can keep yours looking its best throughout the years. Learn more about our leather cleaning services and schedule a free consultation or contact us today. We proudly serve clients in Detroit and throughout the surrounding areas.