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Care & Cleaning for Leather Furniture

Friday June 20, 2008

Posted by TheHome

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Question: How do you clean leather furniture?

Answer: Even premium leathers with the least processing and protection offer greater resiliency and serviceability than fabric upholstery. Maintaining leather in its finest condition only requires a few precautions and occasional maintenance:

 

  • The use of a good leather conditioner is recommended every 6-12 months.
  • Protect your furniture from sun and direct light. Like any upholstery material, leather can fade to some degree if exposed to the sun.

 

Suggested Methods of Cleaning:

  • Always try any cleaning method in a hidden area first to convince yourself of the results!
  • For minor spots and spills, wipe up any excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. If necessary, use a lightly moistened soft cloth with clean lukewarm water, and let it air dry naturally. If water is used, clean the entire area where the spot occurred.
  • Do not use soap or soak the stain heavily with water. This may cause more damage than the stain itself.
  • Do not use cleaning solvents, furniture polish, oils, varnish, abrasive cleaners, detergent soaps or ammonia water.
  • For butter, oil, or grease stains, wipe off excess with a clean dry cloth, and then leave alone as the spot should dissipate into the leather after a short period of time.
  • If the stain persists, it is recommended that a professional leather specialist clean the leather to avoid any potential damage to the leather itself.
  • For minor or slight scratches on the surface, use a chamois or clean fingers to gently buff the scratch. If needed, moisten lightly with distilled water to work scratches out.
  • Remember that leather is a natural product and requires some care to maintain the natural beauty of the hide.

 

Source: Press Release, American Leather, www.americanleather.com

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