How and with what to clean a leather sofa at home - 12 ways

Despite the apparent difficulty of maintenance, the snow-white surface can be preserved in its original form for a long time. So, you can clean a white sofa from most stains quite quickly if you immediately treat them with 72% washing soap. After removing the stains, the surface of the leather sofa should be treated with Vaseline and glycerin (many housewives successfully use baby oil). But a leatherette sofa needs to be wiped dry and never left to dry in direct sunlight.

The main causes of contamination of leather sofas

One of the common causes of stains on a sofa is dropped food.
In addition to natural wear and tear and associated abrasions, the upholstery suffers from mishandling or negligence when using the furniture.

The appearance of stains of dirt and grease in certain places can be caused by:

• improper care of leather covering, which reduces the leather's resistance to dirt;
• increased humidity in the room, which contributes to the appearance of mold in the corners and seams of the sofa;
• contact of foreign liquids, food crumbs, drops of blood and medications on the leather surface;
• improper cleaning of noticed stains - using inappropriate tools and detergents;
• dirt from the paws and hair of pets that are allowed to lie on the sofa.

Even in the absence of obvious heavy soiling, delicate upholstery needs to be cleaned regularly, as it will still be covered with dust present in the air.

How to care for a leather sofa

To get started, we'll share tips to help maintain the appearance of your upholstery. There are several important rules. If you follow them, upholstered furniture will not have to be cleaned as often. You cannot place it near heat sources: the leather will crack, dry out, and the dye will peel off. It is necessary to place it away from windows so that the color does not fade and spots appear.

Important : a light sofa stains very well, so in no case should you put dark, richly colored blankets and pillows on it. Even bright clothes are not suitable for lying on such furniture.

You cannot eat on a white sofa, since any stains from food, wine, or juices are quickly absorbed into the upholstery and are difficult to remove.

Rules for cleaning leather furniture

After wet cleaning, dry the leather sofa with a napkin.
Despite the undoubted resistance of natural and artificial leather to dirt, non-compliance with the technology when washing it can worsen the situation and even damage the coating. Therefore, such sofas must be cleaned following the following rules:

• Wipe any stains and marks in a circular motion without applying too much pressure.
• Be sure to thoroughly clean seams and folds where dust accumulates.
• Do not use any products containing abrasive particles or hard bristled brushes.
• When diluting detergent compositions, do not use tap water - only filtered water.
• Clean dirt exclusively with warm water and solutions, as hot dirt will be absorbed into the pores of the skin.
• Do not remove stains using aggressive detergents containing chlorine or technical liquids - acetone, turpentine, solvents.
• After wet wiping the sofa, dry the entire treated surface with napkins.
• Do not use a hair dryer when drying.

The work must be carried out in such a way that it does not spoil the skin. Even minor damage will begin to accumulate dirt, and it is very difficult to remove it from cracks and abrasions.

If there is a lot of dirt and you are unable to deal with it yourself, it is better to order professional dry cleaning of the sofa.

General care recommendations

Following simple rules will allow you to preserve the original appearance of a leather sofa and extend its service life:

• Do not place furniture near heating devices or radiators. High temperatures cause the skin to dry out, causing it to crack;
• Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight, as ultraviolet radiation causes paint to fade;
• maintain optimal indoor air humidity;
• do not drink wine, juice or coffee on the sofa, use the furniture exclusively for relaxation;
• if stains appear, start cleaning immediately before the dirt is absorbed into the fibers of the material;
• Do not wash your skin with aggressive substances (acetone, gasoline, etc.).

Proper care and timely cleaning will help preserve the presentable appearance and performance characteristics of a sofa upholstered in genuine leather for a long time.

Following the rules of operation and maintenance will help keep your leather sofa clean and presentable. Carry out preventative cleaning of upholstery to be able to enjoy the luxury and beauty of expensive furniture for as long as possible.

Safe tools used

Dust from a leather sofa must be removed with a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment
. Despite its strength, leather is a delicate material. And it needs to be processed with gentle devices. These include:

• Brushes with very soft bristles - to remove applied detergent along with dirt.
• Delicate microfiber cloths or flannel rags - for regularly wiping the entire surface of the sofa.
• Cotton pads and swabs - for removing small contaminated areas and individual stains.
• Cleaning wipes with cleaning agent already contained in them.
• Liquid sprayer – for uniform application of detergent compositions.

An indispensable device for caring for leather furniture is a vacuum cleaner . It will not remove stubborn dirt. But any cleaning of the sofa should begin with removing dust on the surface. It can be completely collected from corners, depressions, and especially folds and seams, only with a vacuum cleaner.

A steam cleaner can also remove the most stubborn stains . But this tool must be used with extreme caution on leather furniture, as there is a high risk of causing irreparable damage to the leather itself.

When working with a steam cleaner, specialized detergents designed specifically for such a device are required.

What will you need for the job?

It is recommended to wipe the sofa daily with a damp cloth or soft rag soaked in water. If you need to wash off the dirt or do a general cleaning of leather furniture, you will need to prepare the necessary material and equipment in advance:

• purified water, preferably distilled;
• liquid soap, preferably a product with a soft structure, for example, for children's hygiene;
• a vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush;
• soft rags, viscose is recommended;
• a cleaning agent for difficult stains (if necessary), which is selected depending on the type of contamination.

Safe household chemicals for leather sofas

Soap solution is the safest means for cleaning leather furniture.
It would seem that you can use any commercial cleaner designed for working with leather. But before choosing, you must carefully read its composition and instructions for use. Some stain removers and leather care gels contain a tinting component. A white sofa cannot be washed with this product - it will leave staining marks.

For colored leather furniture, the use of solvent-containing compounds is unacceptable. It will not only remove dirty stains, but will also absorb the dye, leaving streaks.

Among non-specialized household products, it is advisable to use:

• Soap solution . The safest composition that can be used to clean a leather sofa. It is prepared from any soap - laundry, baby, liquid, but always colorless. Beat until thick foam forms. Contaminated areas are wiped with it to reduce wetness of the skin. After removing dirt, wipe with a damp cloth.
• Cosmetic milk . Used as a delicate stain remover. Apply to cotton pads to treat the contaminated area.
• Dishwashing gel . For safety, use only diluted in warm water. A soft cloth is moistened in the resulting solution and used to wipe off any detected dirt. Residues are removed with a damp cloth.

A necessary step after using any cleaning composition is to dry the treated surface with dry soft cloths. Microfiber fabrics absorb moisture best and are safe for delicate surfaces.

In addition to stain removers and cleaning compounds, it is also necessary to purchase products for the daily care of leather furniture. These include:

• air conditioners;
• balms;
• polishes;
• wax compositions.

Specialized preparations additionally protect the surface of the skin, creating a protective film. The substances included in their composition penetrate into the pores of the material and maintain its softness and elasticity.

Preventive measures

To ensure that your leather sofa is always clean and lasts a long time, it is recommended:

1. do not allow pets on it or cover the furniture with a blanket;
2. do not cover the sofa with a fleecy blanket;
3. if there are small children in the house or household members often eat on the sofa, then it is recommended to use a special furniture cover that does not spoil the appearance of the room;
4. You should do wet cleaning of the surface 2-3 times a month.

A leather sofa will add style and sophistication to any room. Properly organized care will allow the furniture to always remain clean and beautiful.

Folk remedies for cleaning leather furniture

If it is not possible to purchase a commercially produced stain remover, you can clean the sofa with simple mixtures prepared by yourself. Inexpensive powders and liquids used in them can always be found in the household. In terms of effectiveness, they are often inferior to real cleaners, but their action is time-tested.

Table vinegar

Vinegar effectively cleans white leather upholstery.
This product can remove most stains on white leather furniture, but even 9% vinegar must be diluted before use. The exact proportions depend on the properties of the sofa leather, so it is recommended to test the effect of the prepared solution on a small, inconspicuous area of ​​the surface. The ratio in the mixture with warm water should be at least 1 to 1.

Vinegar is effective in removing bright colored stains on a white background - from wine, ketchup, felt-tip pens. In addition to dirt, it eliminates the persistent smell of cat urine.

Milk with egg white

Proportions before cooking – 1 egg per 100 g of slightly warmed milk. Add only the protein and beat with a stirrer or mixer. Apply the finished composition with a cotton swab and then wipe the stain with light circular movements. Finally, be sure to wash off the residue.

Milk with protein is most effective on fresh contaminants. It does not leave streaks on colored leather surfaces, but it is better to use it on light-colored sofas.

Baking soda

Mix in the proportion of 30 g of powder per 200 ml of water. Use this solution to wash the area of ​​contamination using a cotton swab or soft sponge. After cleaning is complete, wipe dry.

Baking soda is suitable for any leather furniture.

Ammonia

Ammonia diluted with water cleanses the skin well.
It is an effective, but not safe, remedy. It is dissolved in water in a ratio of 1:10 or 1:15. But even a diluted ammonia mixture with prolonged treatment can dry out the leather of furniture. Therefore, you need to act quickly, without delaying wiping. Immediately after removing the contamination, wipe the entire coating with a damp cloth to remove any ammonia residue and dry with a soft cloth.

For old stains, a strong solution is recommended: 25 ml of ammonia, 50 ml of vinegar per 200 ml of water.

As a last resort, when other means are powerless to clean serious contamination, you can try a mixture of ammonia with acetone or white spirit. This composition can remove even old blood or iodine stains. But they can easily damage the leather covering itself.

To remove difficult stains, it is safest to order dry cleaning of leather furniture from professionals with a home call.

Medical alcohol

The best product for removing paint stains, ballpoint pen and felt-tip pen marks on natural leather or leatherette. Undiluted alcohol will dry out the upholstery and make it brittle. You only need to use a solution of this substance.

The stain should be treated with moistened cotton pads without applying force, otherwise the stain will spread over the surface. Change cleaning swabs more often.

Starch

If greasy products come into contact with a leather sofa, it is recommended to immediately sprinkle it on the stained area. You only need to remove starch after 5-10 minutes so that it absorbs most of the fat.

To quickly eliminate such traces, you can pre-mix this powder in equal parts with soda and talc or baby powder. This composition should be kept close to the sofa so that it can be immediately poured onto the area where any food or liquid comes into contact. If it does not remove the stain completely, the residue will be easier to wipe off with other means.

Aspirin

One tablet dissolved in a glass of water will help deal with blood stains on light leather sofas. You just need to moisten a cotton pad or napkin with this solution, and then wipe without pressure, changing them often.

Toothpaste

Suitable for quick cleaning of small dirty areas. Apply to a soft-bristle brush, which is used to rub the detected stain. After 1–2 minutes, wash off with cold water.

For white and simply light sofa leather, a paste without color additives is selected. And it should not contain abrasive particles. This can be easily checked by rubbing the paste between your fingers.

Lemon juice

This safe cleaner should never be used on light leather furniture. It will certainly color the treated surface yellowish.

Method No. 1. Steam cleaner

1. The device is considered a new product for cleaning furniture and carpets. Using a steam cleaner, you can easily remove dirt from almost any attribute or thing. It is strongly recommended that you choose an electrical appliance responsibly.
2. Otherwise, a low-quality and cheap steam cleaner can cause irreparable damage to expensive attributes. It is also worth choosing the cleaning composition carefully. It must match the type of sofa covering and be gentle and of high quality.
3. It is forbidden to use concentrate; the detergent must be combined with water. Also, do not dilute the composition in excess, otherwise a large amount of moisture will provoke subsequent problems in the form of mold.
4. Distribute a small amount of diluted detergent over dirty areas. Wait a while according to the instructions on the package. After this, use a steam cleaner, set the desired mode and run the device over the stains. Perform the manipulation several times.

Fighting fungi and mold

A big problem for owners of leather furniture can be the appearance of mold and mildew. The cause of this trouble may be increased air humidity or liquid that has not been removed in time and got into the folds of the furniture. Often the first signs of fungus and mold appear in such hard-to-reach places.

• Vinegar will help cope with this problem. Wipe the mold areas with the solution, then remove any remaining acidic substance with a damp cloth and wipe the surface dry.
• You can also clean furniture with a Vanish type stain remover. The product is diluted in water, then applied to the stains with a rag or sponge.
• How and with what to clean a sofa that has mold in many places? Here you will need the help of professionals; it will be difficult to solve the problem on your own.

Common Mistakes

Leather is a durable and high-quality material, but if you care for it incorrectly or violate the rules of use, then it will not serve for a long time and will not please the eye. To preserve such interior items, you need to monitor their condition. If sofas and armchairs have damage (scratches, torn areas), you should remove them before cleaning your favorite leather furniture. You can do this yourself using special kits or invite a specialist to your home.

What should not be done when caring for and using leather products:

• use solvents and bleaches;
• use chlorinated water;
• dry furniture using a hairdryer or other heating devices;
• Allow furniture to be exposed to direct sunlight.

If the product has minor defects, they should be eliminated. There is no need to use perfumed and antibacterial wet wipes to remove dirt; they can only speed up the aging of furniture coverings. The problem can be solved with the help of special paint, which is applied to the damaged areas by spraying or with a brush. This will not eliminate, but will only mask the defect.

Leather products that have lost their elasticity can be restored using a folk remedy: treat with a solution consisting of two parts flax oil and one part vinegar. There may be defects that are difficult to eliminate at home. Then the best solution is to contact specialists; they use professional impregnating agents that restore and preserve the skin. It is important to take care recommendations into account so that the furniture will always be in good condition. If it is difficult to repair damage or contamination on your own, you can always turn to specialized dry cleaners to avoid taking risks.

Do not use bleaching agents

Do not blow dry

To restore elasticity, use a solution of vinegar and flaxseed oil.

Method No. 3. Wet cleaning

1. The duration of cleaning a sofa directly depends on how often the cleaning is carried out, how new the furniture is, and in what conditions the product is located.
2. If the sofa was clean and there are no obvious stains on it, the upholstery treatment process will not take much time. It is enough to prepare a solution based on water and moisturizing soap.
3. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and distribute the finished product onto the contaminated areas. Leave the composition for 10-12 minutes. After this, remove it in a circular motion with a dry cloth.