Art Van and other furniture stores have been boasting tent sales, anniversary sales, best-of-the-summer sales, just-because-we-want-to sales, and so many other sales all summer long here in Metro Detroit. Okay, so we made some of those up, but you get the point. Furniture stores are always offering great deals on furniture. But once you leave the store, it’s not like a car that you take somewhere for routine maintenance … the responsibility falls on you to maintain that major investment, whether you DIY or hire leather cleaning professionals to come to your home. Perhaps it’s a healthy combination of both!
There are some simple things you can do on your own to care for leather furniture and keep it looking great for years.
- Check the tags. We suggest doing this first because for many furniture brands, trying to clean an item yourself could void the warranty. Plus, there could be instructions on the tag for exactly what to do if you do need to clean the leather. Remember, leather is far different from upholstery and should be treated differently.
- Stay away from chemical cleaners. Products found on store shelves could do damage to the leather over time, and by the time you realize the leather is deteriorating or fading from the product, the damage is done and may be irreversible. Plus, these chemicals could break down the leather over time, and cause skin or other irritations for people and pets. Never, ever use ammonia or bleach.
- When there is a spill, blot it up immediately. When you wipe a spill, it just spreads across the surface, causing more problems.
- When there is a spill, don’t use water to treat it. Again, just blot it up. Remember, while leather is durable and somewhat water-resistant, it is absolutely not waterproof. If you want to use a non-harsh cleaner yourself, always be sure to test it in a hidden place. Then, wait until that cleaner fully dries before making a decision as to whether or not it’s okay to use in a more visible place. Or, if this is a big spill, or there are a lot of different spills over time, it’s likely wise to give a professional cleaning service a call.
- Vacuum your couch! Plus, if you have pets, consider using a lint roller to pick up hair and other debris regularly. The cleaner you keep the furniture, the longer it will hold up.
- Take furniture placement into account when laying out rooms with leather furniture. Leather furniture exposed to direct sunlight can result in fading and damage to the leather itself. If you have a specific sunny place you want the furniture, consider adding a UV-filtering film to windows.
Last but not least, when the leather does need a professional cleaning, contact Chet’s Cleaning today. Our technicians are highly trained and certified to handle even the most valuable of leather furniture and work hard to get it looking “like new” in no time.