Sofas are something we spend a lot of time shopping around for. We want something comfortable and great-looking. However, they sure do take a lot of beating over the years. If you were to look under your couch cushions, you’d probably find all sorts of crumbs and dirt that’s fallen between the cracks. Yep, those coins and socks aren’t the only things hiding in your sofa. We spend a lot of time on our sofas, which means we’ve had to learn many ways to keep our sofas clean. Sofas probably battle more types of stains than many other fabrics.
But what about a leather sofa? Leather is a special material and indeed, it requires special cleaning techniques. If you want to keep your leather sofa looking shiny and new, here are the basics on leather cleaning and maintenance.
First off, there are different types of leather and different types of stains. So there isn’t necessarily one major piece of advice that can solve every problem. Still, there are some general tips and suggestions that seem to work for most leather sofa owners who’ve battled tough-to-remove stains. And that’s what we’ll talk about in this article. Some ideas might seem obvious, while others may be a bit surprising. But all of these may not be okay to experiment with, as it’s difficult to find one product that is totally leather sofa-approved. So exercise caution.
Still, we don’t want to generalize too much. Finished leather and unfinished leather are very different things. Your sofa is probably finished, which means there are some basic ways you can clean it. To get rid of most grime, all you’ll need is a slightly damp, soft rag and some soap (but not anything too coarse). Gently rub the soap into the leather and then wipe it dry with a clean cloth. After the sofa has dried, you can invest in a deep conditioning formula to work into the leather; it can be easily found at the store.
Overall, you really do take a lot of risks when you try to clean leather. The wrong product can change the color of your sofa! A good idea is to test your cleaning supplies on a part of the sofa that no one will ever see. Wait to watch what unfolds before you apply it to the target stain.
Now, what kind of stain are you dealing with? Different stains will require different approaches. Let’s go down the list of the most common ones.
- Ink stains are some of the most frustrating ones out there but often simply spraying it with hairspray and wiping it clean can do the trick. You might have to get some professional help, however, if this doesn’t work.
- Water stains often plague leather sofas for the reason that it is used to clean it! This is why it’s so important to only use damp, not soaking, cloths when trying to remove stains. Water should dry naturally on the leather and then be met with a leather conditioner after it’s dried.
- What about grease? Like with most stains, you’ll want to have a clean cloth on hand to gently blot the grease. Talcum powder and corn starch are said to work to fight grease in particular. Don’t rub it into the grease, however. Instead let it sit on top of it for a good four hours. Then you can wipe it away. Your leather sofa should be grease-free with his method.
- Do you have a pet dog or cat that hangs around inside? Well, if so, then you’ll probably eventually smell some urine and reluctantly trace the scent to your leather sofa. Fortunately all you need is a clean, damp cloth to take care of the urine. Again, let the area dry on its own, naturally. This same method works for blood stains too. This is because both blood and urine contain protein and thus can be dealt with in a similar fashion.
It’s good to be protective and watchful over your leather sofa but there’s no need to panic if your child spills diet coke all over it. Just abide by these cleaning tips and you’re sure to keep your couch in good condition and looking as beautiful as ever. Always remember, though, that leather is one of the more unique materials out there and it can only handle a very narrow list of cleaning solutions and products. So while you want to get to a stain right away, you don’t want to get to it with the wrong product.
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