How To Clean Leather Couch Naturally

How To Clean Leather Couch Naturally

A Guide To Clean Leather Furniture

Over the years, leather sofas and chairs have become quite popular. Many homes, offices, and even hotels are now adorned with beautiful leather furniture to enhance their decor.

Leather exudes elegance and is quite resistant to soiling. However, this does not mean that it will look shiny all year long. Leather couches and other furniture require special attention and care to keep them looking great.

Everyday cleaning products can damage your leather. For instance, abrasive products can change your leather’s colour, damaging your leather furniture. This is why it is essential to use cleaners specifically manufactured to care for leather. Alternatively, you can use homemade solutions.

Homemade solutions use natural ingredients that are excellent in getting stains out of the leather. This article will introduce you to a number of natural cleaners you can use to clean your leather. It will provide you with an easy guide on how to get your leather couch and other furniture sparkling all year round.

Natural Methods For Cleaning A Leather Couch

White vinegar and olive oil

Olive oil and vinegar are two ingredients that have proven to be effective in cleaning leather furniture. To clean your leather with olive oil, apply vinegar directly to the affected area.

Vinegar is quite effective at cleaning deep-soiled areas. Immediately the vinegar dries off, apply a dab of olive oil using a microfiber cloth and buff the leather to ensure that the material is soft.

The other option is to mix vinegar and olive oil in a bowl in equal proportions and dip a plain paper towel into the mixture. Use the towel to apply the solution over your leather. Clean out any excesses using a clean microfiber cloth.

Lemon juice and cream of tartar

Mix equal portions of lemon juice and cream of tartar into a bowl. Make sure that the mixture is a soft paste and apply it to the affected area. This creamy solution is effective in getting rid of stains like wine, coffee, and other tough stains.

If the stain does not go away, allow the solution to sit for about three hours before you apply more. Next, wipe the leather surface with a wet cloth to bring back its shiny look.

Dishwashing soap and water solution

You can also make use of mild dish soap and lukewarm water to clean your leather chair. To do this, add half a cup of soap solution into a bowl of warm water, mix thoroughly and dab a microfiber cloth into the mixture. Use the damp cloth to remove marks, stains, and soil from your leather furniture.

Ensure that you remove all the dry dirt and dust with a vacuum cleaner before applying the cleaning solution.

Once the leather is clean, buff it to dry immediately to remove excess soap from the surface. For heavily soiled areas, apply a drop of soap directly into the damp cloth and use it to rub over the stain. Wipe down the leather using a cloth to dry.

Homemade leather conditioner

You need a cleaning product that will also bring out the shine of your leather furniture. Instead of using expensive and harsh products that can damage your leather, prepare a natural leather conditioner yourself at home.

This can be made by mixing cocoa butter, beeswax, and almond oil in the ratio 2:2:5. Although beeswax takes a while to dissolve, it works perfectly on leather. However, you need to blend all the ingredients very well and heat until the oils are well combined. When the heated mixture has cooled down, apply it to your leather with your finger.

You can also use lemon essential oil if you want to prevent cracking and extend the lifespan of your leather couch, sofa, chair, jacket, or bag.

Alcohol

Alcohol is also an excellent leather cleaner. Purchase some alcohol from your local store and use it to remove different types of stains from your leather couch. Apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol onto a white cloth and use the cloth to clean mould and mildew stains off the leather.

For ink stains, blot and dab the solution using a cloth or a cotton ball. Before applying the alcohol on the whole couch, test on a small area to verify the impact on the leather.

Ice

Ice is quite effective against stains like candle wax, chewing gum, glue, and adhesives. Place 10 to 15 ice cubes in a zipped bag and rub over the areas with the stains for about 15 minutes. The ice will loosen the wax, chewing gum, glue, or adhesive in an instant.

How Does My Leather Couch Get So Dirty?

Dust

Dust is the common cause of dirt on leather couches. While you can reduce it in your home, it cannot be eliminated entirely because it floats everywhere through the air and settles down on the furniture over time. To control this, have a daily cleaning routine where you wipe the leather to remove dust.

Dirt

Dirt can find its way into your home from your shoes, clothes, or pets.

Cooking oil

If you are familiar with kitchen cleaning, you will know that the sticky oil grease on kitchen cabinets is tough to remove. This greasy deposit is built up over time and is caused by tiny oil molecules being released into the air during cooking. They travel through the air and eventually settle on your leather furniture.

Body oils

Oils from your hair and skin often easily find their way onto the leather couch. These oils can cause severe damage to the protective finish on the leather.

Inks and dyes

These two are also common causes of dirt on leather couches. The dye in your clothing can transfer to your leather and cause damage. Ink can also transfer from pens and newspapers, causing stains in your leather.

Cleaning Tips For Your Leather Couch

A leather couch no doubt adds a touch of elegance and class to any room, office, or hotel space. Leather has a naturally sleek and sophisticated nature, making it stay beautiful no matter the style and season. Keeping this furniture in good shape requires regular cleaning and care. Below are some tips on how to care for your leather couch and make them last longer.

Remove surface dust and dirt

One of the ways you can care for your leather couch or sofa is by having a routine cleaning exercise to remove dust and dirt on the surface of your couch. For the best results, use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the furniture while you clean the surface.

Always wipe with mild cleaning products

Do not use harsh detergents to clean your couch; this may damage the leather. Dip a clean cloth in mild detergent and gently wipe the surface. Go for detergent specially made for delicate fabrics if you don’t have a commercial leather cleaner.

Clean spills as soon as they happen

Spills happen quite often, especially if you have babies and young children in the house. When this happens, use a dry cloth to remove the spills immediately and allow the area to air-dry. Do not wipe as this will spread the spill all over the sofa.

Protect the leather couch from direct sunlight

Keep the couch away from direct sunlight. Sun rays can cause the couch to dry, making it crack and change colour. Keep the sofa leather at least 61 Centimetres away from any heat source.

Remove stains using the right method

There are different methods to remove various kinds of stains. For instance, permanent ink can be removed by dipping a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and rubbing over the stain.

Grease stains can be removed by blotting up the area with a dry cloth; then, sprinkle some talcum or cornstarch on the affected area and let it sit for a while. Use a soft-bristled brush to brush it off. Sometimes, you may need to repeat this process a few times to achieve the best result.

Clean weekly

The leather couch should be cleaned at least once a week. Simply wipe the leather’s surface with a dry microfiber cloth.

Protect from pets

Keep your pets away from leather furniture where possible. Pets can chew or scratch the leather, causing irreparable damage.

Protect from sharp objects

The couch should be protected from sharp objects such as razor blades, knives, scissors, belt buckles, watch straps, etc. If care is not taken, these sharp objects can leave unwanted marks on the couch.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions

Every leather sofa comes with a manual that illustrates how to care for it. Make sure you follow the instructions religiously.

Hire A Cleaner For Your Leather Couch

You can do daily cleaning of your leather couch if you have the time and the necessary equipment. However, it is better to outsource to a professional for the deep cleaning of your leather couch and other furniture.

These professionals have the skill and experience to properly clean and get your couch shining again. A once-in-a-while professional deep cleaning will help extend the life of your leather.