How To Clean A Leather Couch Like A Pro
A beautiful leather couch can really transform your living room. It’s the perfect choice if you want something with a timeless look that has amazing durability and longevity. High-quality leather is resistant to a variety of everyday dangers like spills, stains, and punctures, making it perfect for everyday use. The best thing about this material is that it tends to look better with age. However, even if your goal is to a well-worn couch, it still needs regular maintenance to look its best. After all, well-worn doesn’t equal neglected. Just like everything else in your home, your couch also requires a good cleaning from time to time. On the bright side, keeping your leather couch in tip-top shape is easier than you may think. Today we will show you how to clean a leather couch like a pro.
The best thing about leather is that it tends to look better with age
In this article
How To Clean A Leather Couch
In order to keep your leather couch looking its best you will need to do two types of cleaning processes – deep cleaning and simple maintenance. It’s important to ensure your couch is fresh, hygienic, and looks good. Things like dust and debris easily get trapped in furniture. That’s why a regular cleaning schedule is a must or at least some form of regular maintenance. Even though leather looks better with age, it still requires some attention. On the bright side, the upkeep of this material isn’t too hard, you just need to know what to do. To help you out, today we will share with you everything you need to know about keeping your leather in tip-top shape.
It’s important to ensure your couch is fresh, hygienic, and looks good
#Considerations before you start
Before you jump in and start scrubbing your couch with whatever you can find, there are some considerations you need to take into account. We’ve gathered some of the most important things you should know before the process starts in order to ensure everything goes smoothly and you are satisfied with the end results.
- Do not use bleach or ammonia. These products are really strong and will damage the leather. While the damage may not be immediately noticeable, they will dry out the material making it more susceptible to future damage.
- Don’t overdo it with the water. Too much water can steep into the material and cause stains. That’s why it is vital your cloths are damp, not wet.
- Forget about sanitizing wipes if you are looking for something quick to get the cleaning job done. Sanitizing sprays, wipes, and products can damage the finish of the material making it susceptible to damage, stains, and tears.
- Know when to call in the professionals. If you can’t clean out the stains, do not continue scrubbing! You don’t want to cause more harm than good. Instead, it may be time to call in a professional upholstery cleaner.
- Before you clean your couch make sure to check if it is still under warranty, as cleaning it yourself may void it.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean your couch, as well as the instructions on your cleaning products.
There are some considerations you need to take into account
#Vacuum
The first step to deep cleaning your leather couch is vacuuming. Since leather isn’t as porous as an upholstered sofa, it’s easier to clean. Vacuum the couch thoroughly to get rid of any crumbs, hairs, dirt, and dust it may be harboring. Get into all the crevices with a crevice tool and clean under the cushions. Make sure to vacuum the undersides and edges of the cushions, as well as the couch frame.
The first step to deep cleaning your leather couch is vacuuming
#Check the label
Once all the debris is removed with the vacuum, it’s time to check the manufacturer label in order to know how to continue the cleaning process. If there is a W on the label, then you should use only a water-based cleaner. S or P means that only solvents can clean it, aka dry-clean. WS or SW indicates that you can use either a solvent cleaner or a water-based cleaner. And X means that you need to get it professionally cleaned. However, most couches can handle a quick wipe down with a damp cloth.
Check the manufacturer label before you start the cleaning process
#Clean
Now that you know what type of cleaning product you can use on your specific couch, it’s time to get down to business. You will need a leather-specialized cleaner and a soft microfiber cloth. Before you spray down your whole couch, it’s best to do a spot test in an inconspicuous area first to make sure the material handles it well. Then you can apply the cleaner sparingly on the couch. Take your microfiber cloth and dampen it. Make sure it is damp, not wet. Then wipe down the couch. Make sure to work gently, as you shouldn’t rub hard. If you are not satisfied with the results you can repeat the process, just be gentle.
You will need a leather-specialized cleaner and a soft microfiber cloth
#Stain treatment
Stains can happen at any time. However, it’s important not to panic. It’s best to deal with any stain as soon as it happens and carefully. Depending on the stain, you will need to act accordingly.
- For general stains: Dip a clean cloth in a solution of warm water and gentle dish soap. Then wring it out until it is damp. Dab the stain until it is buffed out. You can also rub in small circles but don’t apply too much pressure. Finally, dry the couch with a dry cloth.
- For grease stains: Blot away the grease with a paper towel. Get as much out as possible. Then sprinkle the stain with cornstarch or talcum power. Let the powder sit for at least five hours or overnight. Then vacuum away the powder. Repeat until the stain is gone.
- For ink stains: Take a paper towel and blot the fresh ink stain. Be careful not to smear the ink. Then rub a damp cloth over a mild soap bar. Working in small circles, rub the stain gently. Make sure to move to a clean area of the cloth as the ink starts to transfer. You can use a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol to remove an ink stain, but use this only as a last result as it may cause discoloration.
Stains can happen anywhere and at any time
#Condition
This is the final step to your deep cleaning routine. Applying a leather conditioner to your couch will help protect it from future stains. It will also help to soften and moisturize older leather making it look much better and supple. Conditioning also lowers the chance of tears and damage. You can choose a conditioner to your liking and then simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to apply it correctly. Once you have applied to the whole couch, you are officially done!
Applying a leather conditioner to your couch will help protect it from future stains
#General maintenance
Finally, the couch is nice and clean. However, it still needs regular maintenance. By doing some simple upkeep you can keep your couch cleaner for longer and looking its best all year round. Plus, the better the maintenance, the less the work you will have when the time comes around for a deep clean again. Here are some things you can do:
- Keep the couch in a spot out of direct sunlight to avoid fading and cracking
- Vacuum weekly
- Wipe away spills as soon as they happen
- Don’t sit on the couch if you are sweaty as oils can be absorbed into the material
- Use a furniture polish at least once a month to give it a nice finish
- Keep pets off the couch as they may want to use it as a scratching post
By doing some simple upkeep you can keep your couch cleaner for longer
How Often Should You Clean a Leather Couch
While there are no strict guidelines to how often you should clean your couch, there are some general recommendations you can follow. In general, you should deep clean your leather couch at least one to two times a year. It depends mainly on the color of the leather and how many stains you are dealing with. For lighter colored couches you should clean it every six months. For darker couches you can deep clean it just once a year. However, keep in mind that stains should be treated promptly once they appear. When it comes to general maintenance, it’s best to do it one to every two weeks.
You should deep clean your leather couch at least one to two times a year
This is how to clean a leather couch like a professional. We hope you found this article useful. Now you can finally give your leather couch a good scrub and ensure it has proper maintenance to keep it looking at its best.
This is how to clean a leather couch like a professional
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