How to Clean Leather Furniture

Most people find leather furniture to be a lovely, versatile item of furniture. It's considered to be kid friendly and to wear very well. Also, many believe leather retains its look and quality longer than other types of furniture. Leather is a natural rather than a manufactured material. Thus, it is believed to keep people cool in a warm environment and to keep people warm in a cool environment. In essence, air passes through the leather to provide the user with a comfortable seat.

Even so, some people refuse to buy leather because of not knowing how to properly clean it. So, if you are the proud owner of leather furniture, such as chairs or sofas, what are the best methods or products to clean leather furniture and maintain it?

Before trying any of the cleaning ideas below, test them out on an area of the leather furniture that will not be noticed in the event the color of the piece is altered by the cleaning method you select. Down near the bottom of the piece of furniture, on the side, or up under the arm rest on the side may be some of the best out-of-the-way places to test-run your cleaning method.

Weekly Cleaning
When you are doing your weekly house-cleaning, it is best to use a small vacuum cleaner attachment to clean leather furniture. Just vacuum the piece all over to remove surface and embedded dirt and dust. This should keep the surface fairly clean, if done regularly. According to HGTV, leather furniture can be kept clean by vacuuming weekly.

For a deeper cleaning, you might want to use a nice, fluffy barely damp cloth with some moisturizing soap. Gently rub the soap into the areas of the leather where one's skin might come in to contact. Use very little water when dampening the cloth. It is not necessary to rinse the soap off. Just use another clean cloth to wipe or buff off the soap residue.

Spills
If liquid or food items are spilled or dropped on leather, wipe them up immediately with a soft, clean cloth. Wiping the leather clean right away is very important. If you do not wipe off the liquid or food item in a timely fashion, it will soak in to the surface of the leather.

Stains
If a spot on leather is oil- or grease-based, avoid using water to clean it. Just use a nice, dry, clean cloth to wipe it off and allow time to air-dry.

Equal parts of lemon juice and cream of tartar can be mixed and the pasty mixture spread onto stained areas. Let it set for at least 10 minutes. It will soak in to the leather. Then, place more of the mixture on and rub it into the area. With a slightly wet cloth or sponge, use mild moisturizing soap and rub lightly into the surface. Now, take a clean cloth and buff off.

Product Use
Of course, there are products designed specifically for cleaning leather pieces which can be safely used. Just remember to use these products sparingly and to follow the product instructions. Usually, leather cleaning products come in sets that include leather cleaner and leather conditioner. The cleaning product is used first, followed by the conditioner to prolong the suppleness and appearance of the leather.

According to the Michigan State University Extension office, one should never use any other types of cleaning products on leather. Various cleaning products and solvents contain ingredients that can be quite damaging to the leather and should not be used. Although it can be tempting to try a product you have in your hands on cleaning day, don't do it. Products containing ammonia, solvents, polish, oils, and the like must not be used to clean leather under any condition. Unless the product says it is specifically designed for leather, it is wise not to use it.

Cleaning leather furniture can be easy, if you know what type of products and materials to use. Keep your leather furniture looking fresh and clean using the above techniques.