Leather Upholstery: How to Care and Clean
This article provides an overview of how you can clean and care for leather upholstered furniture. Read on to discover more.
Clean the leather
The first step is to clean the leather upholstery, preferably by vacuuming it. Doing so helps eliminate loose dirt and grime from the surface that may otherwise be hard to remove later on. If you have time, let the cushion sit out in the sun for a few hours beforehand so that any bacteria can break down. Doing this may also make brushing off any leftover dirt stuck inside the upholstery. However, sun exposure may damage some types of leather, so check with your manufacturer first before doing this. Also, avoid using water on the leather as this may cause further damage and discolouration over time.
Wipe down the upholstery with a slightly damp cloth. If the leather is dry, wet a microfibre towel and wring it out before wiping down the surface of the leather upholstery. Dry thoroughly using another clean, dry microfibre towel. Avoid wiping in circular motions as this may cause further damage to the fabric. Instead, wipe in straight lines with the grain of the material. Remove all fallen hairs using a lint roller, sticky tape or an old toothbrush.
Treat stains immediately
If you have light-coloured leather upholstery, blot away any spills with a paper towel before they have time to spread and discolour the surface of your leather upholstery. Saturate the paper towel with water before carefully dabbing it onto the leather upholstery to remove stains.
If you have dark-coloured leather upholstery, use a mild soap solution to moisten the affected area before blotting it out with a cotton ball or soft cloth. Work from the outside edge of the stain towards the inside to prevent the soap solution from spreading.
Prevent stains and damage
To keep your leather upholstery clean and looking good:
- Avoid eating or drinking near it. This includes avoiding eating greasy food when sitting on leather upholstery, which can cause stains over time.
- Please do your best not to scratch the surface of your leather upholstery to avoid damaging it and spreading any bacteria or germs.
- If your leather upholstery is starting to show signs of wear and tear, consider having them repaired by a professional before they become too noticeable.
- Use a professional cleaning service to care for your leather upholstery.
If you want to find out more, you should contact a local cleaning service that offers leather upholstery. A team member will be happy to explore how they can help you keep your leather furniture looking great.
For more information on upholstery cleaning, contact a company near you.
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