Adding leather furniture to your decor creates a beautiful addition to all room designs. Leather will last you a lifetime if you give it a little more loving care than other fabric furniture. There are several things you can do to properly care for your leather furniture to keep your family enjoying your investment for years to come.
Regular care is important for maintaining the look of your leather in between professional cleaning. Our St. Augustine cleaning and home improvement services at First Coast Home Pros have the knowledge and tools to properly care for all types of leather furniture. Contact us for a free estimate or to schedule a leather service appointment.
Clean Your Leather Furniture
Like regular furniture, leather needs regular care to keep the material looking new. Leather requires a few more steps than carpet cleaning or other materials, but the process is very simple. Creating a furniture cleaning schedule will keep you on track for the care of the leather.
Wipe Down Furniture
You should regularly wipe your leather furniture with a soft, clean, dry cloth and never use anything abrasive like a scrubber or bristle brush, as this can damage and scratch the leather. A great option is a microfiber cloth. Microfiber is made of dense, tiny fibers that grab surface dust and dirt because the material is positively charged, so it attracts negatively charged dirt like a magnet and keeps hold of it.
Proper wiping of furniture should be done on a weekly basis. Adding this job to your weekly household cleaning routine will prevent the build-up of dust. This is one of the best preventative cleaning measures you can take for your leather.
You can dampen a cloth with distilled water if the dust is more stubborn. Never use a soaking wet cloth on your leather. Leather can be ruined if water is soaked into the material.
Vacuum Furniture Crevices
Any piece of furniture can easily build up on dirt and debris, and leather is no exception. Vacuuming should be done whenever weekly wiping is not doing the trick. Using your vacuum’s hose attachment, gently run the soft-bristled brush across the entire surface of the furniture and under and in between all of the cushions.
If the cushions are removable, this can help make the vacuuming more effective. If the cushions are not able to be removed, get between the crevices as best you can. A narrow angled attachment could help you reach deeper into the leather furniture.
Clean Those Spills
Spills can happen, and it is part of everyday life. When they do occur, you will want to blot the area immediately using a dry sponge or cloth to ensure as much of the spilled liquid is absorbed as quickly as possible. If the liquid spilled is sticky and you absolutely must, you can use a moistened cloth, but you should use as little water as possible when cleaning the spill and wipe the area with a dry cloth afterward.
We recommend blotting the spot because wiping a spill will spread the liquid further. The dry cloth should be set on the stain and left there for five seconds or so to fully absorb the spill. For spills that are not water, you may require the use of a small dab of gentle soap and warm water to remove the stain.
If the stain cannot be cleaned at home, you should consult a professional with First Coast Home Pros so the situation is not made worse. No matter the level of the spill, the most important thing you can do is clean it quickly so it does not have time to absorb into the leather. Spills left to sit on leather may require more than a regular cleaning by a St. Augustine leather care professional.
Leather Cleaning Sprays
Not all cleaning sprays are created equally. Furniture polish, bleach, ammonia, all-purpose cleaning sprays, solvents, and detergents can all be harmful to your leather furniture. These products should never be applied to leather in an attempt to remove stains or clean the furniture. Instead, there are leather-specific cleaners you can keep on hand for occasional emergencies and cleaning.
It may seem like a waste of money to buy a cleaner ahead of time, but if you are in a pinch, you will appreciate having the cleaner on hand rather than having to rush out and find the proper cleaner. Quickly cleaning a mess can save your leather furniture. It is important to note that deodorizing and cleaning are not necessarily the same thing, as deodorizing can require less hands-on care.
Read Manufacturer Care Labels
The above information can be useful, but it is necessary to read and understand the information provided by the distributor or manufacturer about the specific care suggestions for your leather furniture. Some leather furniture carries specific care instructions based on certain leather qualities. Different types of leather may require additional processes for care and cleaning.
Manufacturers often sell or provide a specific product to be used on their leather furniture. If this product is available, you should purchase it because it is made specifically for the leather you own. This information is especially important if the leather has been treated with specific chemicals that could be affected if cleaned incorrectly.
Cleaning and Care by the Professionals
There is plenty you can do at home to ensure the proper care of your beautiful leather furniture. Weekly dusting and deep vacuum cleaning of excess dirt and debris can keep your leather clean and looking like new. Quickly cleaning any spills from your furniture will keep the leather from absorbing excess water, which can lead to mold growth and degrade the quality of your leather furniture, requiring additional work from a St. Augustine leather professional.
The condition and environment in which your leather furniture is kept will determine how often you should have your furniture cleaned by a professional. Contact First Coast Home Pros today for a free estimate and to schedule a leather cleaning appointment using our online form.