Top 5 Tips For Leather Lounge Maintenance

Leather is a timeless fabric that can transform any space indoors or outdoors. It epitomises classiness, making it a popular choice among homeowners.

However, leather has its shortcomings. Firstly, it is costlier than other fabrics. Secondly, its allure coaxes many people into buying synthetic and less durable alternatives. More importantly, leather requires extra protection to maintain its visual appeal. Without maintenance, you’ll regret investing in an expensive leather furniture set.

Read on to discover the top tips for leather lounge maintenance.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Leather comes from animal skins and hides. Like human beings, the skins are susceptible to extreme exposure to ultraviolet radiation. These rays spur chemical reactions that change your leather’s appearance and shorten its lifespan.

While natural light eases your moods and makes small spaces appear bigger, it can compromise the quality of your furniture. Ensure that you don’t expose your leather lounges to direct sunlight. If you need the light, invest in high-quality curtains and blinds.

Clean Your Furniture

Vacuuming is the best way of keeping your leather lounges free of dust and grime. Clean leather lasts longer than forlorn pieces of furniture. Over time, an accumulation of dirt causes discolouration and can damage the finish.

After vacuuming, dip a cloth into a soapy solution. This helps you remove stubborn stains that survived vacuuming. Avoid using harsh detergents that can damage the finish.

Use a Leather Protector

If you’re purchasing new furniture, ensure that your installer uses a leather protector on your equipment. Besides reducing maintenance costs, this addition guarantees a quality, long-lasting finish.

You can apply a leather protector if you have old leather lounges. However, it is advisable to clean the furniture before using this treatment.

It’s worth noting that a protector delays the accumulation of dirt but doesn’t prevent it. You’ll still need to wipe off dust and stains to protect the integrity of your leather sofas.

Avoid Scrubbing

Sometimes, you might encounter stubborn patches that won’t go away after vacuuming and wiping. If this happens, it’s best to call a professional cleaner.

Scrubbing, which many perceive as the solution to stubborn stains, doesn’t work for leather. Its intensity forces the spills further into the leather, causing more damage. If you can’t access professional cleaning, blot the fabric before wiping it with a soft cloth.

Use Baking Soda or Corn Starch

Besides blotting, baking soda or corn starch can help you deal with stubborn stains caused by butter, grease and other oils. You need to apply the remedy and let it sit overnight. In the morning, you can wipe the stains off using a cloth. If this doesn’t work, use rubbing alcohol.

Wrapping Up

Leather is expensive, and understandably so. Besides durability, it exudes elegance. However, it needs proper maintenance to keep it in pristine condition. Wipe off dirt and spills whenever you notice them. Be careful with what you use for cleaning leather upholstery – using harsh chemicals can cause irreversible damage. Luckily, you can always enlist professional cleaning services.