A leather chair or couch brings grandeur to any room. It adds a subtle grace to your decoration style, whether it’s modern, classic, or laid-back retro. Your investment in both comfort and style can look, smell, and feel new and hold its value for many years …
But leather furniture does need you to care for it to keep it from getting ruined. (Don’t worry, though—it’s pretty simple.)
Here are 5 key things for how to care for your favorite leather furniture:
1. Regular cleaning: a dry cloth and vacuum cleaner
A weekly cleaning of your leather is the best care you can give it. Simply vacuum loose dirt from the corners and wipe the leather down with a soft, dry cloth.
2. Avoid water, solvents, soaps, or ammonia
The most common mistake people make is using water and soap to clean leather furniture. This can cause drying and cracking, and some leather types will stain immediately on contact with water. Additionally, strong solvents or cleaners with ammonia could bleach the leather.
3. Avoid direct sunlight and heat
Like your own skin, leather is sensitive to sunlight and heat. If your leather chair sits very close to a sunny window, use a window treatment to shade it. If you love to sit read on your couch by the fireplace, try to keep it a little farther away so the heat doesn’t dry out the leather.
4. Bi-annual cleaning
Use a factory-authorized leather protection conditioner at least twice a year. You can do this yourself, or if you prefer, have a professional (hey, that’s us!) clean and apply the proper protectants. Be sure to focus on the nooks and crannies such as seat cushions and arm rests. Always test your cleaner and conditioner in a hidden spot before using it on the entire piece.
5. Know when to call in a professional
Don’t try to handle difficult stains by yourself—and I’m not just saying this because my company cleans, restores and repairs leather furniture.
Some stains, such as ink, may be particularly persistent, and tackling them yourself may cost you more money in the long run, especially if you have to replace an entire leather chair or ottoman. Professionals like our trained technicians at HammondKnoll can perform much more detailed work, and professional leather care isn’t only for when there’s a specific stain or issue. Professional preventative maintenance and cleaning can help preserve your favorite furniture for many years.
I and all the other technicians here at HammondKnoll have been caring for leather and upholstery around Tacoma, Seattle, and the Puget Sound area for many years. So trust me when I say that just a little bit of care for your leather can not only save you money in the long run … but it also makes sure your favorite, relaxing furniture continues to be your favorite for many years to come.
