How to clean a leather sofa at home

Leather goods have always been a symbol of wealth and well-being. Moreover, leather is a durable material that is not afraid of moisture, is resistant to wear and tear and is distinguished by enviable durability. Naturally, with proper care, sofas are no exception. But even the most reliable and high-quality thing eventually falls into disrepair. Therefore, timely cleaning of leather sofas is the same necessity as, for example, regular wet cleaning.

What can you do yourself

When purchasing leather furniture, you should be prepared for the fact that you will have to take care of it. Moreover, a high-quality expensive sofa or armchair will also require a special place for installation - such products do not “feel” equally well everywhere. Therefore, in order to subsequently avoid troubles or at least minimize them, you need to take care of the care products in advance, find out what type of leather was used in the production of this particular piece of furniture, and also have at least a minimal idea of ​​what to do in case of a stain.

Note! Many manufacturers (especially well-known) not only provide all the required information, but often supply in the kit and all the necessary skin care for the first time.

How to find a leather furniture cleaner

Keeping leather furniture clean and tidy requires less effort than regularity. Usually, when buying, the seller gives basic recommendations for care. However, this is not always the case: the sofa can be old or, for example, bought at an auction.

All products that can be purchased in the store are divided into three main types:

1. Protector. Protective agent designed to keep the skin in good condition. When applied, it forms a kind of protective layer that prevents the absorption of dirt and moisture.
2. Cleaner. It is used when urgent cleaning of leather furniture is required. Usually contains a composition containing potent substances. Therefore, before using it, it is better to test it on an inconspicuous area.
3. Balsam. Prophylactic - the skin must receive constant nourishment. Usually it contains all kinds of oils and beeswax. Also requires a test application.

Among the most effective means are the American Chemspec and Finnish SoftCare, as well as a number of others, for example: Polyboy, Pro-Brite, GRASS, Sweepa.

How to clean a leather sofa at home: folk methods

Sometimes the use of a simple tool can be no less effective than a unique imported one bought at exorbitant prices.If so, why pay more! True, here you need to be strictly aware that in case of failure, there will be no one to blame but yourself. Of course, in some cases, only special chemistry can help. However, most "critical" situations can be easily resolved with what is at hand.

With milk

Warm it up a little (slightly above room temperature) before cleaning. You need to wipe the sofa with a wrung out cloth dipped in milk. Remaining streaks can be removed with a cloth. Sometimes, before cleaning a leather sofa at home, it is recommended to add egg white for greater effect.

Peeling onions

This requires a medium-sized onion. Before cleaning, cut it in half and wipe the surface with the cut side. If it becomes covered with dirt, the soiled part is cut off again, after which the process can be continued.

Applying toothpaste

You will need a toothbrush for cleaning. A small amount of the paste should be applied to the affected area and with gentle movements try to clean the contamination. This method works well only for substances that are not absorbed deep into the skin.

How to clean a leather sofa with rubbing alcohol

To do this, you can use both ordinary (medical) and ammonia. Ethyl alcohol is good for removing stains from a ballpoint pen or felt-tip pen. Salmon is more effective for old stains (add about 10 drops of alcohol to half a glass of vinegar).

Important! It should be remembered that ammonia dries the skin, therefore, after it, additional moistening of the surface should be carried out, for example, with glycerin.

Cleaning with vinegar

A vinegar solution is good for removing stains from, for example, ketchup. For this, it is mixed with water in equal proportions. Very effective if you want to remove the smell of cat urine.

Cleaning leather sofas with white upholstery

White leather initially requires special care, since various stains and traces of paint degradation are most noticeable on it. Therefore, here you need to follow a simple rule - the fresher the stain, the more chances that it will be possible to remove it.

As an effective remedy, you can use the already mentioned toothpaste and milk. Spilled coffee or tea removes alcohol or acetone quite well (you need to be careful with the latter), and sticking gum can be easily removed with scotch tape. In addition, there are special products for cleaning exactly white leather.

What to do with stains: how to clean a leather sofa

Depending on the degree of aggressiveness of the substance, its adhesiveness, stickiness and viscosity, it is possible to compile a consolidated list of substances popular in everyday life, whose traces have to be periodically removed from the leather surface:

• Fat. Sprinkle with baking soda or salt first. Then you need to wash off with detergent.
• Coffee. Only spilled - blot with a paper napkin, old - moisten with water. Residual marks can be removed with alcohol or salted water and a soft brush.
• Wine. Salt the contaminated area. Then you need to wait 10-15 minutes. Wash off with warm water. It is better to remove the stain from white wine with a mixture of methyl alcohol and water (3: 1), and then wash it with soapy water.
• Dye. You can try to remove it with nail polish remover (only without acetone). Usually, cleaning leather sofas with paint stains gives a good result if the problem areas are treated with a citric acid solution.
• Beer. It is well removed with a mixture of vinegar and water.
• Ink. Are washed off with acetone or alcohol. Depending on your skin type, you can rub it with an eraser.
• Lipstick (lipstick). To remove such a stain, you need to moisten it with ammonia, then iron this area through a dry cloth, setting the lowest heating mode on the iron.

Regular cleaning of leather furniture

Leather is a special material and requires careful care. Therefore, in order for the furniture to remain in good condition for a long time and be pleasant both to the sight and to the touch, it is recommended to regularly carry out a complete surface treatment with a damp cloth (clean or soaked in soapy water). Then you need to wipe everything dry.

In addition, it is necessary to clean up the debris from the surface of the sofa as often as possible, especially in places of folds and at the joints, since the accumulation of dirt can lead to the appearance of fungus. The most convenient way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner. It is a good idea to brush the surface with a glycerin-based leather furniture cleaner once or twice a month to keep the leather from drying out.

Care and prevention

To extend the life of leather furniture, it is not enough to familiarize yourself with the rules of its care and operation.

In addition, you should strictly adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations, namely:

• Do not install armchairs or sofas near heating radiators or in places with strong sunlight.
• Use microfiber for cleaning.
• Before applying a new product, it is advisable to test it in an inconspicuous place.
• Do not eat while sitting on the couch.
• Once or twice a year, carry out the ventilation procedure.

So keeping your leather furniture in good condition shouldn't be too difficult. Of course, different situations happen, and it may turn out that cleaning leather sofas requires professional intervention. However, in most cases, everyone can cope with the bulk of the problems. Especially if you treat things that are designed to provide comfort and convenience with love and care.

Video: cleaning a leather sofa at home