Leather furniture and vehicle upholstery add a distinct look of luxury and timelessness to both your home and your ride. This type of fabric is also expensive; therefore, it’s in your best interest to take good care of your leather couch and car upholstery to make your investment stand the test of time.
Here we discover tips and tricks that keep your valuable leather couch and vehicle seats looking stunning for years.
MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR LEATHER FURNITURE
Leather furniture and upholstery can last a lifetime when properly maintained. Aging brings out its natural patina and leather can truly become more exquisite over time, unlike other types of fabric that wears.
- Firstly, avoid using harsh solvents, furniture polish, or detergents on your precious leather. Invest in quality leather cleaner instead and protect it from damage.
- Once or twice per year, apply a leather conditioner with a soft cloth to your leather couch and chairs and buff for added protection.
- Alternatively, make your own inexpensive leather conditioner with 500 ml warm water, 15 ml gentle baby soap, and 10 ml vinegar. Mix and apply sparingly to leather with a microfibre cloth. Do not rinse!
- Safeguard your sofa by purchasing it with a protected leather finish from the manufacturer. This is an added measure that protects leather from children and pets for additional peace of mind.
- Carefully dust and vacuum your leather furniture on a regular basis. Use a damp microfibre cloth for dusting and an upholstery brush attachment for vacuuming.
- Wipe minor spills on leather couches as they occur with a clean cloth or sponge to avoid staining or grit build-up. Let air dry.
- Further protect your leather furniture from damaging sunlight. Attractive throws do the job beautifully if you do not have a shady resting spot for your furniture.
MAINTAINING LEATHER CAR UPHOLSTERY
Most modern car leather is already protected with a synthetic coating from the manufacturer to make it stain resistant. This makes cleaning leather upholstery simpler than classic leather upholstery that requires a bit more elbow grease on your part.
- UV rays from sunlight can damage leather car upholstery over time, leading to fading and cracking. Park indoors, in a shady area, or invest in a vehicle cover.
- Thoroughly vacuum car seats using the brush attachment to avoid gravel scratches.
- Accidents happen and sometime greasy or oily food gets spilled on car seats. Wipe of excess with a dry cloth and let air dry. A sprinkle with baking soda when you get home can also help; let sit overnight, then vacuum. The spot should disperse over time.
- Invest in a special car leather cleaning brush for keeping your upholstery glistening. Good ones come in a synthetic or horsehair material.
- Make your own inexpensive leather cleaner with 2 parts vinegar with 1 part water.
- Apply leather conditioner to upholstery a minimum of twice per year with a microfibre cloth.
- Minor scratches may occur over time from getting in and out of your vehicle. Simply moisten a soft chamois cloth with distilled water and gently buff scratches away.
- Avoid using conditioners containing petroleum or wax as they can build-up over time, dulling the gleam of leather.
*BONUS TIP:
Test a new cleaner or cleaning method on an inconspicuous area. This can save the heartache of discovering that a cleaner is too harsh or inappropriate for the type of leather.
As you can see, leather requires special care to keep it looking fantastic and feeling blissfully soft and clean when you sit down. Maintain the sheen and glow of your couch and car seats with these tips and tricks.
For more persistent stains or leather emergencies, Premier Carpet Cleaning is your Vancouver Island upholstery cleaner. Our professional cleaning staff is here to help you protect your leather furniture and upholstery and keep it looking gorgeous. Your satisfaction is our goal! Call us at (250) 758-5177 today to find out how we can clean your carpets at just $30 a room with no hidden fees!