How to Clean a Leather Upholstery Chair
If your leather upholstery chair is stained or dirty, there are some simple tips you can follow to ensure that your chair stays looking like new. First, avoid using baby wipes and DIY cleaning solutions. Instead, treat the stains right away. The best way to clean a leather upholstery chair is to use a mild solution, such as olive oil and vinegar. If these do not work, you can also use toothpaste to remove stains.
Avoid DIY solutions
Whenever possible, it is better to use cleaning solutions made specifically for leather upholstery, such as leather cleaner. Homemade solutions can be harsh on untreated leather. For instance, baking soda, white vinegar, cream of tartar, or lemon juice can damage the leather. Moreover, they can also void the warranty of your leather furniture.
To properly clean leather furniture, it is important to follow some simple steps. First, test the cleaning solution in a small area before applying it on the entire piece. It is important to use a microfiber cloth that is damp, not soggy. Then, gently scrub the leather to remove stains, dirt, or marks. After cleaning, make sure to allow the leather to dry. Never use heat to dry the leather.
You can also mix white vinegar and water, but do not use a high concentration of the liquid. It can cause the leather to become lighter or cause excess wear. Moreover, it is not recommended to keep leather furniture in a damp room. It can also cause mold.
Avoid direct sunlight
If you want to maintain the quality of your leather upholstery chair, it is important to prevent exposure to direct sunlight. Although it may be harmless on occasion, the ultraviolet rays of sunlight can damage the fabric. The best way to protect leather is to place it in a cool, shady area or in a garage.
In addition to avoiding direct sunlight, it is also important to clean the leather furniture in a controlled environment. This is because leather is not suited to extreme temperature changes, so exposure to sunlight can cause the leather to crack and fade. Using a dry, clean terry cloth towel to wipe off spills is an effective way to avoid sun damage. You may also use baking powder or talcum powder to absorb any oil or grease. If you don’t have these materials, you can purchase a leather furniture cleaner from a furniture store or manufacturer.
Avoid cleaning with baby wipes
If you have leather upholstery on your chair, it is crucial that you avoid using baby wipes to clean it. They are too alkaline for leather and can cause it to peel or crack. This is due to the chemicals in baby wipes. These wipes may also not completely remove all stains.
Disinfectant wipes may work well to clean some messes and dirt, but are not recommended for cleaning leather. The high concentrations of alcohol and ammonia can cause the leather to dry up, which will make it crack and peel. These are not good signs for finished leather. While baby wipes work well for light stains, you should use other cleaning products if you want to avoid cracking or peeling the upholstery.
Another way to clean leather upholstery is by using a paste of baking soda and water. You should allow the mixture to remain on the stain for 15 minutes before wiping it off. Repeat this process if needed. For tougher stains, you may have to use a mixture of water and vinegar. This mixture will break down the stain and remove the dirt.
Treat stains immediately
If you have a spill on your leather upholstery chair, it is best to treat it as soon as possible. You can use a mixture of olive oil and vinegar to make a stain remover spray. However, do not use ammonia-based products as they may damage the leather. Another alternative is to use toothpaste to remove stains.
If you are unable to get rid of a stain immediately, use rubbing alcohol to remove it. This is a natural cleaning agent that can be used to remove grease and ink stains. If the stain is ink-like, you can also use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
