How do you care for a leather piece of furniture?
Routine leather care requires nothing more than a vacuum cleaner set to low speed and fitted with a brush attachment, followed by a cloth soaked in slightly soapy water and quick drying. Solvents should be avoided. Any stain must be treated immediately, as leather absorbs moisture.
The essentials
- Routine leather care: vacuum cleaner set to low speed with a brush attachment, followed by a cloth soaked in slightly soapy water and quick drying.
- Conditioning leather: apply a fairly rich cream once a year to dust-free furniture. Unconditioned leather does not respond well to stain-removal methods.
- Removing stains from leather: use a slightly damp cloth on a fresh stain, or cleansing milk or white clay stone on an ingrained stain.
- Never use solvents on leather furniture, including those contained in certain cosmetic products.
- Minimum distance of 30 cm between a leather piece of furniture and a radiator.
- Sunlight is leather's worst enemy: prolonged exposure to UV rays discolours it and causes it to fade.
- Faux leather: dusting, special faux-leather soap, circular motions, and no abrasive sponge or chemical product. Clay stone is a natural alternative.
- Always test any care product on a hidden area of the furniture.
Leather or faux-leather sofa and armchair: our tips for caring for the leather furniture that adds so much style to your living room
Leather is a living material that changes over time. Changing does not necessarily mean deteriorating, provided you adopt simple (but regular) care habits and follow a few usage recommendations. After reading this article, caring for the leather or faux leather on your furniture will hold no more secrets for you!
It is important to know that leather absorbs moisture. Therefore, any stain on your sofa or even your leather headboard must be treated immediately (be careful not to sit in a leather armchair with wet hair!). Be sure to test your care product on a hidden area of the furniture first, just in case...
How do you care for and clean leather furniture?
If you remember only one thing about cleaning leather furniture, let it be this: routine leather care requires nothing more than a vacuum cleaner set to low speed and fitted with a brush attachment, and a cloth soaked in slightly soapy water. Quick drying is essential! The secret to leather that stays beautiful over time: preventive care!
What are the four enemies of upholstery leather?
Four factors damage upholstery leather: solvents, repeated stretching, UV rays and heat. Knowing them allows you to take preventive action rather than repair damage, which remains the best way to keep leather in good condition over time.
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Chemical products and solvents. If you use chemical products for household cleaning (detergents, window cleaners, bleach, etc.), be sure to protect your leather beforehand. And never forget this essential rule: solvents should not be used to clean leather furniture! Cosmetic products can be used to “condition” leather, but great care is required. Some contain a significant amount of solvent. Bear this in mind: do not sit on a leather sofa after applying a body-care product.
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Repeated stretching. Leather is elastic, of course, but only up to a point! When leather is stretched, it does not completely return to its original shape. If it is frequently subjected to strain (for example, in the case of a leather sofa), it may become looser. Sitting down gently and not allowing pets to run around on it are the best remedies!
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Sunlight and UV rays. Do you know leather's worst enemy? The sun—well done! During prolonged exposure, UV rays can discolour leather and cause it to fade significantly. The best way to prevent sunburn (just as with people) is simply to stay in the shade. Keeping your magnificent designer armchair out of direct sunlight will only do it good.
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Heat. Leather does not like heat! Do not place any leather furniture within 30 cm of a radiator, otherwise its quality may gradually deteriorate to the point of no return...
How do you condition a leather sofa?
A leather sofa should be conditioned throughout the year, using commercial products or a fairly rich cream applied once a year to a sofa that has first been dusted. Conditioned leather is more resistant to drying out and easier to clean.
Conditioning is the step we most often forget, even though it determines everything else: on dry leather that has never been conditioned, cleaning and stain-removal methods produce poor results and may even damage the material. Always start by conditioning leather that has been neglected before attempting to remove stains.
Once the leather has been conditioned, a damp microfibre cloth is sufficient for routine care, either alongside or alternately with slightly soapy water. This method only produces good results on leather that has already been conditioned and maintained.
How do you remove a stain from a leather sofa?
Most non-greasy stains can be removed with a simple wipe using a slightly damp cloth, without any particular product, provided you act immediately. For an established stain, cleansing milk and white clay stone are the two most effective methods for upholstery leather.
Cleansing milk
Cotton wool soaked in cleansing milk is a tried-and-tested technique for removing stains from leather. Wipe the surface of the sofa in circular motions, making sure the milk penetrates the cotton. A few drops of ammonia may be added.
White clay stone
For an ingrained stain, use a white clay stone and a damp, thoroughly wrung-out sponge. Clean the stained area without rubbing. This highly effective method should be avoided on weakened and unmaintained leather—which is all the more reason to condition leather regularly.
How do you care for the stitching on a leather sofa?
Care for the stitching using a cotton bud soaked in soapy water and white vinegar, taking care not to spill onto the leather itself.
How do you care for and clean faux-leather furniture?
Clean faux leather with a special faux-leather soap, applied in circular motions to a surface that has first been dusted. No abrasive sponge, chemical product or excessive pressure. Clay stone is an effective natural alternative, particularly on white faux leather.
Faux leather looks remarkably like genuine leather, but is actually a fabric that perfectly imitates leather: it consists of a leather-look face and a woven fabric backing. It may also require just as much care as genuine leather if you want it to last!
What steps should you take to clean faux leather?
Therefore, to keep your faux-leather furniture in perfect condition, it is important to use the right products and adopt the right cleaning techniques:
- Remember to dust before starting to clean, using your vacuum cleaner or a soft cloth.
- Do not rub your furniture with an abrasive sponge, as this will damage it.
- Do not use chemical products; clean with a special faux-leather soap.
- Use circular motions, without rubbing or pressing too hard when applying the product.
- Special products are available for cleaning faux leather, and clay stone can be an effective, natural way to clean your faux-leather coverings, particularly white faux leather.
Leather or faux leather: what are the care differences?
| Criteria | Leather | Faux leather |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Living material that changes over time | Fabric imitating leather, with a leather-look face and woven backing |
| Routine cleaning | Vacuum cleaner set to low speed with a brush attachment, followed by a cloth with slightly soapy water | Dusting with a vacuum cleaner or soft cloth, followed by special faux-leather soap |
| Technique | Quick drying is essential | Use circular motions, without rubbing or pressing |
| To avoid | Solvents, chemical products, cosmetics containing solvents | Abrasive sponges, chemical products |
| Natural alternative | Slightly soapy water | Clay stone, particularly on white faux leather |
FAQ: upholstery leather care questions answered
How do you clean a leather sofa on a daily basis?
Vacuum at low speed with a brush attachment, then use a cloth soaked in slightly soapy water. Dry quickly. That is all routine leather care requires. Always test your care product on a hidden area of the sofa before applying it to a visible area.
Can you use a solvent on leather furniture?
No. Solvents should not be used to clean leather furniture. This also applies to cosmetic products used to condition leather: some contain a significant amount of solvent. Also avoid sitting on a leather sofa after applying a body-care product.
How far from a radiator should leather furniture be placed?
Do not place any leather furniture within 30 cm of a radiator. Leather does not like heat: at this distance, its quality will gradually deteriorate to the point of no return. Sunlight has a comparable effect, with UV rays discolouring leather during prolonged exposure.
How do you treat a stain on a leather sofa?
Treat the stain immediately. Leather absorbs moisture, making any delayed intervention more difficult. For the same reason, avoid sitting in a leather armchair with wet hair. Test the product selected on a hidden area of the furniture before use.
How often should you condition a leather sofa?
Applying a fairly rich cream once a year to a sofa that has first been dusted is a good routine. Leather should be conditioned throughout the year, using commercial products or traditional home remedies.
Is cleansing milk effective on leather?
Yes. Cotton wool soaked in cleansing milk is a tried-and-tested technique for removing stains from leather. Wipe the surface of the sofa in circular motions and optionally add a few drops of ammonia.
Can you use clay stone on genuine leather?
Yes, on an ingrained stain, using a damp, thoroughly wrung-out sponge and without rubbing. It should, however, be avoided on weakened and unmaintained leather. On faux leather, it is a natural alternative, particularly on white faux leather.
Does faux leather require as much care as genuine leather?
Yes. Faux leather may require just as much care as genuine leather if you want it to last. The products differ—a special faux-leather soap rather than soapy water—but the frequency and care taken remain comparable to those required for leather maintenance.
