Taking Care of Leather Furniture
As your favorite furniture supplier, you already know that Viesso has a range of beautiful leather options for upholstering your sofa, chairs, or headboards. Proper maintenance of the majesty of this regal covering is essential if you want to keep that lustrous feel that makes leather so sensual.
Perfect for Any Type of Space
Stylish, elegant, modern, or retro, leather works in any type of space, turning it into something that carries weight and importance. Sitting on a piece of furniture upholstered in leather is an entirely different feeling than any other material, cooling you in summer, and warming you in winter.
As Sensitive as Living Skin
Furniture leather is generally made of cowhide or lambskin and is as porous and breathable as living skin. And just as any epidermal layer, it is sensitive, reacting when it is overheated just as we can be burdened with a sunburn and cracked skin when we’ve overdone it.
Learn All the Details
The first thing to do when you purchase a piece of leather furniture is to ask our Viesso pros how to properly maintain it. Because leather varies in quality, you need to know all the details so that you can attend to its upkeep with the delicacy that it deserves.
Easy Normal Upkeep
Most normal upkeep is easy to do yourself. Vacuuming the corners thoroughly once a week and cleaning every inch with a soft dry cloth to maintain a shine are ways in which you can preserve the texture and life of your furniture. Don’t over-condition your leather. Contrary to popular opinion, we at Viesso believe that if you use a leather conditioner twice a year at the most, this is sufficient. Most commercial conditioners are very strong, so we do recommend that you find one that is eco-friendly or make one yourself.
Cleaning and ConditioningTaking Care of Leather Furniture
One of the homemade recipes we have found to be effective for cleaning and conditioning leather furniture consists of the following ingredients, however before applying them to the whole of your sofa, chair, or headboard, do a test on a tiny unseen area to make sure that no damage will occur.
1 part white vinegar
2 parts raw grade linseed oil
Mix these ingredients together. With a clean, lint-free cloth, swirl the mixture on the leather and leave for 8 hours. Gently buff to a shine.
Circulate Your Cushions
A very good way to preserve the dignity of a leather couch or chair is to fluff up the cushions and turn them around. Rotate your sofa cushions every week or so in order to avoid wear spots. If you have a favorite sitting area, make sure you change this cushion’s position or try changing your habit and sit on the opposite end.
Sensitive to Heat
As we’ve said, leather is very sensitive to heat. If you’ve positioned your furniture near a sunny window, make sure there is a shade to deflect the direct rays. Place pieces at least two feet from heat, such as a fireplace or heater.
Keep Sharp Objects Away
Another essential thing to be aware of is to keep sharp objects far away from anything leather. Make sure your family and friends remove pens, keys, and the like from their back pockets to avoid any punctures, which can be difficult to repair.
Taking Care of Leather FurnitureCleaning Up Spills
Here’s the skinny on spills, which we suspect will happen, as they tend to do. Clean them up quickly, but don’t use a lot of water to do so, as it will eventually crack the surface. Avoid cleaning solvents, ammonia, and harsh soap, as they will disintegrate the skin.
Instead, use a gentle plant-based detergent like Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap. This product is very utilitarian, cleaning and conditioning at the same time. Just put two drops in a quart of warm water, dip in a sponge, wring it out thoroughly, and work into the leather without soaking it. Then buff with a soft cloth.
Cleaning Up Stains
Be careful not to wipe stubborn stains such as gum, ink, blood, or wine. Instead, blot them with a recommended leather cleaner that will replace the natural oils and prevent cracking. Then apply a preservative to the area to keep the leather soft and pliable. Again, always test your cleaners on an inconspicuous area to make sure that it is suitable for the type of leather you have.
Cleaning Ink
When it comes to ink, try dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover and apply gently to the area, being careful to only touch the stain. Dry with a hairdryer on the lowest setting.
Mildew and Mold
Mildew and mold can be eliminated with one part rubbing alcohol added to one part water. Spray on a dampened cloth, apply, and then wipe with a lint-free cloth.
Organic Based Stains
For blood, food, other organic based stains and spots, try making a paste of one part lemon juice and one part cream of tartar. Apply and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes before putting another layer on top. Then remove the paste with a rag dampened with water and castile soap and buff with a soft cloth.
Water StainsTaking Care of Leather Furniture
Water stains respond to an application of mayonnaise that you can let sit for a few hours before wiping off with a dry cloth. Again, please use caution, and feel free to consult with us here at Viesso first to make sure that your leather can support these treatments.
Treating Leather with Tender, Loving, Care
Always remember that the leather on your furniture was once a living thing. Think about the sensitivity of your own skin and how careful you should be when it comes to harsh elements that can irritate. When you treat your leather furniture with tender, loving care, it will reward you with years of rich luxury.