How to Clean and Care For Leather Furniture
Avoid applying harsh chemicals to leather furniture
If you have leather furniture, it’s important to avoid harsh chemicals that can damage its surface. Avoid using water-based cleaning solutions that have alcohol or silicone as the main ingredient. Also, avoid placing leather furniture in direct sunlight to prevent cracking and fading. Always follow care instructions from the manufacturer to ensure that your furniture stays in good condition.
When applying a chemical, it’s important to test it first. Ensure that the product won’t damage the leather’s finish by dabbing it on a small patch of the leather. Then, wait 10 minutes and watch for any changes. In the worst case scenario, you can call a professional to repair your leather furniture.
You should avoid applying fingernail polish remover on leather furniture, as the acetone in the product will strip the color and leave a big, bleached patch. Window cleaners are another chemical you should avoid. These products often contain alcohol, which will rot the topcoat on leather furniture.
Avoid rubbing liquid or food stains into leather
When cleaning a stain on your leather furniture, it is important to avoid rubbing the stain. This can result in large, dark stains. To prevent this, you should first dampen a sponge and apply it to the stain. Do not rub the stain with the sponge; instead, blot it. Then, clean it up with a clean cloth.
If the stain is greasy, you can try blotting it out with a clean cloth and using an absorbent agent such as baby powder or corn meal. Allow it to sit for about 12 hours. If the stain is still there after that time, remove the absorbing agent.
Another way to clean a stain on your leather furniture is to use an olive oil or vinegar stain remover instead of water. Always avoid using ammonia-based cleaners, as they can cause harm to the leather. You can also use toothpaste to remove stains and scuffs.
Protect your leather furniture from UV damage
There are a number of ways you can protect your leather furniture from the damaging rays of the sun. The first is to avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight and try to keep it in an area out of the sun as much as possible. You can also purchase window tinting films that will protect your furniture from harmful UV rays.
You should also try exposing your furniture in different angles so that the effects of the sun are evenly distributed. This will make the damage from the sun less noticeable. Sunlight affects all fabrics differently, and fabrics made from acrylic are more resistant to the sun than those made from silk or polyester. However, these materials will eventually fade.
You can use UV protectant on your leather sofa to help it last longer. However, you should keep the sofa out of the direct sunlight as much as possible. Leaving it in the sun for long periods of time can cause the leather to crack and fade. It is recommended to move your leather furniture to a shaded area or garage when not in use.
Protect your leather furniture from fire
When buying a leather sofa, make sure it is flame resistant. Although leather couches are made of upholstered fabric, they can catch fire if not protected against fire. In fact, the most common cause of upholstery fires in the home is a smoldering cigarette. It is important to protect your leather furniture from fire by keeping it away from fire-prone areas such as kitchens. You should also check whether it has fire safety tags before purchasing it. They can be found on the inner side of the sides and cushions. The tags have information on manufacturing date and batch number.
Another way to protect your leather furniture is to avoid placing it near heat sources such as radiators and heaters. Heat from these sources can dry out the leather and cause cracks and fading. You should also place it away from direct sunlight, as this may cause the leather to fade.
