A leather sofa is a coveted commodity for many of us and it has its fair share of responsibility so now we’ll see how to clean leather sofa. The whole idea with a leather sofa is that it’s supposed to be easy to clean because of the shiny surface. 

We use the sofa daily so it will exhibit some wear and tear because of this use. Leather sofas are quite durable but they do need some maintenance to keep them that way. 

Using a few techniques will make the leather sofa last longer. 

How often should you clean a leather sofa? 

To have a clean leather sofa you should consider integrating it in the spring cleaning period. So you should take care of a leather sofa at least once a year. 

This is, of course, a guideline, and you can implement a more regular cleaning schedule as it is needed. Other factors can affect the regularity of cleaning a sofa, such as its colour or if it has any stains. 

Before beginning to clean the leather sofa

The leather used to make such a couch has its advantages. But it also brings some considerations when it comes to cleaning. 

Some things are to be avoided with a leather couch, some of which we might not have thought of.

Things to avoid as you clean leather sofa:

• Bleach – it discolours and damages the leather
• Ammonia – also damages the leather
• Sanitizing products – destroys the shiny finish of the leather
• Water – can stain the leather

What can you use to clean leather sofa?

So, we’ve established the don’ts, now it’s time to see what are the dos. 

Some tools you’ll need you already mostly will have all of them around the home.

Among these tools is includes:

• A vacuum cleaner
• Dry cloth, microfiber
• Liquid dish soap 
• Baking soda 

Other things you’ll need:

• Leather cleaner
• Leather conditioner

How to clean leather sofa?

A fabric upholstery sofa is harder and stains much quicker. The leather feature makes cleaning this kind of sofa easier than we might imagine. 

Start with a vacuum

Start with surface cleaning by using a vacuum. Take apart the seating, if they’re detachable, and vacuum the area under the seat cushion, and in all the nooks and crannies you can reach. 

Move the sofa and vacuum underneath it as well. Check behind the wall and underneath the couch for mildew. 

After this, give it a good wipe with a dry cloth, to remove dust that has settled on the surface of the leather. 

Use leather cleaner 

For harder-to-clean stains or ingrained dirt or dust, you might consider a leather cleaner. Some leather cleaning products come with a conditioner in the mix, but a simple cleaner is also a good option. 

Use a cloth to pour the cleaner onto it, and wipe it all over the leather parts of the sofa. Using a cloth like this is a better option than just spraying the solution or pouring it directly on the couch. 

It’s advised to do it like this so that it doesn’t leave marks. Start from the top, and work your way down, as you’ll have more control than starting from the bottom up. 

Add more cleaner to the cloth as necessary when it dries up. Make sure not to use too much cleaner as you don’t want it to soak up the sofa. 

Condition the leather sofa

If your cleaner did not have a conditioner included then it is advised to use a leather conditioner after. 

Like with the cleaner, apply the conditioner on a cloth and begin buffing the leather from top to bottom. 

Leave the conditioner to dry for a while, an hour or two. The conditioner needs this time to seep in because the leather absorbs it slower. 

How to clean stains from a leather sofa?

There is a slim chance for stains to settle on a leather sofa but it’s not impossible. To clean these stains you need to tackle the issue a little differently. 

Use a clean cloth with warm water and dish soap. Don’t use too much water, make sure to have the cloth damp rather than completely soaked. 

Polish the leather sofa as you would with a conditioner in circles around the stain. Do not do up and down movements as it can damage the leather. 

After you have cleaned the stain dry the couch thoroughly. If water remains on the surface of the leather it can leave marks and over time affect the leather.

Maintenance tips for leather sofa

To maintain a leather sofa you also must follow some small guidelines. 

One very important thing to do is not let the couch sit in the sun because it can fade. Even faux leather is vulnerable to this. 

On the same spectrum, you should not place your sofa close to a heat source like a heater or a stove. Heat makes the leather crack and you won’t be able to fix it if it’s too far gone. 

In conclusion

There are many things to help you clean a leather sofa. It’s already easy to clean but there is also the maintenance aspect of leather that you need to care for. 

If you can place it somewhere away from the sun or heat it will make life much easier. As for cleaning it, you can’t go wrong with a quick vacuum and a rundown with some leather cleaner.