How to Clean Genuine Leather
If you want to clean your genuine leather furniture, there are several tips you should follow. First, do not expose your upholstery to extreme temperatures. This will cause stains to appear on the leather before it can dry. Aside from that, you should also avoid using DIY cleaning solutions that use abrasive materials. In addition, avoid rubbing ink stains with a microfiber cloth.
Avoid areas with fluctuating temperatures
To keep your genuine leather furniture looking its best, avoid placing it in areas with fluctuating temperatures. Locally elevated temperatures may accelerate the deterioration of leather, especially in hot display cases or near radiators in storage areas. These conditions increase the risk of protein denaturation and desiccation.
Keep your furniture in a cool, dry place. Avoid exposing your furniture to bright light or sunlight. The UV rays from the sun may damage leather. Direct sunlight can also cause decolouration and embrittlement. You can consult a conservator to determine what is the safest way to treat your furniture. To reduce the risk of mould, keep the relative humidity below 70 percent and avoid over-lubrication.
Always test cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous part of the furniture before using them on the whole piece. Incorrect cleaning methods may damage the leather or remove its colour. Never leave a wet spot on the leather. If possible, use a microfiber cloth to dry the leather.
Avoid DIY leather cleaning solutions
DIY leather cleaning solutions contain harsh ingredients that can damage the delicate materials that make up leather furniture. Rather than using a leather cleaner, opt for a cleaning solution designed specifically for leather. Some common home remedies include lemon juice, vinegar, and cream of tartar, but they are not safe for delicate leather.
To get the most out of your cleaning solutions, you should start by thoroughly inspecting your furniture. Look for signs of wear and tear and concentrate on these areas. If you’ve noticed stains, marks, or soil, you can use diluted vinegar on the affected areas. After cleaning, be sure to wipe the leather dry immediately. Similarly, if the leather is heavily soiled, you can use a drop of soap directly on the cloth.
Avoid rubbing ink stains with a microfiber cloth
Whether you’re cleaning a laptop or a wallet, you want to be as gentle as possible when cleaning genuine leather. You can do this by avoiding rubbing ink stains with a soft microfiber cloth. The longer an ink stain is on leather, the more difficult it is to remove it. However, if you treat your leather correctly, you can avoid rubbing ink stains altogether. The best way to avoid rubbing ink stains is to keep the leather clean and moisturized. This way, the leather will be cleaner and more resistant to spills.
Although it is possible to clean ink stains with a microfiber rag, you should avoid rubbing the leather with a microfiber cloth. It can ruin the material, so be careful. Try to spot test the ink stain first.
Natural oils are acceptable for small touchups
Many people who have experience with leather objects will tell you not to use vegetable oils. This is because plant-based oils will quickly go rancid. Luckily, it’s not the case with all leather products, and you can use natural oils for small touchups.
Apply the oil with a thin layer to the leather’s surface. This will prevent the oil from clogging the pores and leaving the leather tacky or greasy. Applying too much oil can leave spots that will be darker in the future. So, it’s best to use a very small amount and make sure that the leather is evenly coated.
