The Do’s and Don’ts of Leather Furniture Cleaning

Leather furniture is a great investment in any home. While often a higher price point than fabric, leather furniture tends to be more durable, age more gracefully, cleans easier and is hypoallergenic. It also can add a more expensive and sophisticated feel to any room and matches most décor.

However, if you just shelled out the cash to purchase a piece of leather furniture for your home, don’t take a damp cloth and start wiping away. There are some pretty big no-no’s when it comes to caring for leather, and some other things that get a resounding YES from the leather cleaning pros at Chet’s Cleaning. Let’s start with the no’s…

No, No!

1. Take care with water. If there is a spill on your leather furniture, sure – go ahead and wipe it up! A little water is not going to hurt the leather overall. However, you should avoid wiping the whole couch down with water. Think of the leather like your skin – it needs to be moisturized to stay healthy and vibrant. Water can actually break the bonds of essential oils in the leather, weakening the leather over time.
2. Don’t just condition. Imagine how greasy your hair would work if you strictly conditioned and never cleansed it with shampoo. Your leather furniture is the same. While the conditioner is what makes it silky smooth and glowing, a good cleaning will get rid of dust, dirt, and dander that could otherwise get stuck in the conditioner sludge and eventually weaken the integrity of the leather. This is where a professional leather cleaning service, like Chet’s Cleaning, can really help. Hiring professional leather cleaners, applicators, and techniques can extend the life of your furniture, and even help make sure your warranty stays intact. Sometimes, self-cleaning and conditioning can void an item’s warranty, so be sure to check your paperwork!
3. Put away the household cleaners! This relates to #2 on this list. The simple truth is using a household cleaner could really damage your beautiful leather furniture. If pH levels don’t match that of the leather, you’ll soon end up with cracked, dry, needing-to-be-replaced leather.

Yes, Yes!

Okay, enough of the no-no’s, there are some things you can do to properly care for your leather furniture pieces in between professional cleaning and conditioning.

First, add dusting the furniture to your chore list. Simply removing dust regularly will keep the leather shining, and keep any dirt from working its way into the fibers. It is also a good idea to vacuum in between the cushions from time to time, especially if you have a toddler or pets who might send extra fur – or Cheerios – between the cushions.

If there is a spill, don’t rush in with a household cleaner. Just grab a dry cloth and wipe it away as quickly as possible. Use as little water as possible to get it cleaned up.

Lastly, if there is any area that you think needs a little TLC or repair work the next time Chet’s comes for a visit, just let us know and we can handle it with our professional cleaners and tools that will soothe, not damage, the leather.

Having professionals do the work for you will pay off over the long term as your furniture will last longer, look better, and feel luxurious for years to come. If you live in the metro Detroit area Chet’s Cleaning can help, contact us today for a free consultation!