Top Mistakes People Make Cleaning Leather Furniture

A leather furniture piece can transform the overall feel of a room, adding texture and warmth. The timeless material means you can be rest-assured you won’t constantly need to change the item in order to keep up with the trends. However, with time, leather furniture does require maintenance, just like if you had other furniture pieces for a lengthy period of time. The rich scent of new leather diminishes and you will come a time when you need to clean the furniture.

It’s not hard to clean leather, but you should be careful not to make mistakes in how you clean it. You want it to be worth the investment, and that’s just what leather furniture is - an investment. Let’s dive into the top mistakes people make when cleaning their leather pieces…

Ignoring the manufacturer’s manual

Similar to additional items you purchase, the leather piece should come with a booklet with care instructions. If the item is second-hand, be sure to check for a tag or information hidden underneath or at the back. It is common for people to get lazy with these instructions as time goes on - this is the dire mistake and can more often than not, cause permanent damage to the leather.

If you want to save on the cost, do not get lazy! The best way is to get used to the instructions as over time they will become second nature. If worse comes to worse and the instructions aren’t working, you can always contact the manufacturer for tips.

Cleaning with standard household products

Just like you wouldn’t shove a leather jacket into a normal washing machine with normal detergent, don’t opt for the standard product like wood furniture polish. They will essentially ruin your immaculate leather furniture. Leather is absorbent and does not match well with polish, causing staining. You need leather cleaning products specifically designed to prolong your leather furniture in order to save a hefty amount in the long run.

Only using water

Water simply won’t get the job done when it comes to stains or dirt, and can instead push it deeper into the upholstery while a large amount of water will damage your leather. Nor will water diminish the smell, so it’s best to stick with specialised products. If you’re simply removing dust, you can, however, use a damp cloth.

Not patch testing products

If you check the small writing on cleaning products, you will find a warning that it may not be suitable for all items. The same goes for beauty products. Due to the fact there are different types of leather, dyes and finishes, it is virtually impossible to create a product suitable for all furniture pieces. You shouldn’t make the common mistake - make sure you do a patch test first then wait a day or two to ensure it works effectively.

Leaving spills for later

The longer you leave spills, the more they will sink into the upholstery, making it harder to remove. Leather isn’t as absorbent as other materials, but contrary to common belief, it still absorbs liquid. When you notice a spill, blot at it straight away with a cloth. Do not scrub! It is recommended to store your leather cleaning products nearby for easy access.

Drying leather with heat

This one’s simple - heat and leather do not mix! Let your furniture air-dry after cleaning as heat will simply cause the material to crack.

Neglecting to dust

With wooden furniture, it can sometimes be easy to forget to dust or save it for a later date. It’s not going to cause damage, right? Leather furniture is another story. Leaving dust can result in significant build-up, making it very hard to remove. This can then cause scratches which are noticeable to yourself and guests. To avoid this, it’s advised you dust leather furniture once a week with either a damp microfiber cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment.

Leather furniture can be a timeless stand-out feature in your home, sporting comfort and a sleek design. With these common mistakes in mind, your leather furniture will bring you joy for years.

Liv Wheeler is the Content Manager for Premium Surface Protection who offer microseal, fabric protector, leather protector, and more. http://premiumsurfaceprotection.co.nz/