Leather sofas are the perfect seats for many reasons. For starters, they’re elegant, stylish, durable and perhaps the best of all, they are fairly easy to clean and maintain.
For a regular weekly or bi-weekly clean, a quick wipe down or vacuum will do. However, even the most meticulous among us might look at a cream or white leather sofa and get anxious, or worried over a spilled drink.
Fortunately, we have come up with a step-by-step guide to help you keep your Chesterfield Leather Sofas in pristine condition. Our guide should prove particularly useful if you want to remove a stubborn stain, or during the thorough cleaning sessions that you engage in every 3 to 6 months.
Requirements:
– Leather cream or conditioner
– Gentle soap/white vinegar/saddle soap
– Microfiber cloths (at least 2)
– A vacuum cleaner (optional)
1. Wipe down or Vacuum the dirt away
Start by removing all the dirt and debris from the surface of your seats. This will prevent it from being subsequently rubbed into the leather material when you’re cleaning it with soap or white vinegar.
The best way to wipe down your sofa is by using a soft brush attachment with your vacuum to prevent wear or tear. However, if you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, a dry microfiber cloth should come in handy in this step as well as later on in step 3.
2. Prepare a cleaning solution using household items
When it comes to selecting the right cleaner or soap for your leather seats, the crucial thing to remember is that: the gentler the cleaner, the better. A couple of options are ideal here, and most are actually household products that are ready available in your pantry or bathroom.
A mild PH-neutral soap (like Dove) is the perfect choice for cleaning leather. You can use this soap in bar form or mix a few drops in some warm water to form a light mixture. A more eco-friendly option would be to make a simply solution of water and white vinegar in a 50:50 ratio. This is a gentle, yet effective stain remover for leather and other types of upholstery.
Lastly, soaps such as saddle soaps that are made specifically for leather can do a good job as well. However, they can easily harden or darken the surface of your seats if not used properly.
3. Test it on a small section of the leather sofa
Regardless of the cleaning solution you choose, it’s advisable to try using it on a small section of the sofa first before you proceed to clean the rest of the sofa. Simply apply a small quantity of the solution on a section that’s not highly visible and let it dry out to ensure that it cleans effectively and there is no discoloration.
4. Clean the leather sofa with a microfiber cloth
Now to the actual cleaning! You’ll need 2 soft microfiber cloths, one for cleaning and the other for drying. Dip one cloth into the cleaning solution and wring it out to ensure it is damp but not wet. If you’re using bar soap, dampen the cloth and swipe it over the bar soap.
Now, starting from the top, rub the cloth gently across the leather, making sure you reach into the corners. Dip the cloth into the cleaning liquid when necessary, and repeat this process until you are done. Next, using the other cloth, gently buff the leather seats for a smooth polish. You don’t have to rinse the solution out, but it’s important to thoroughly dry the furniture to prevent growth of mold and mildew.
5. Apply leather cream or conditioner
To keep your sofa in good condition, use a leather conditioner or cream to restore suppleness and moisture. This is best applied every 6 to 12 months, though it’s advisable to check the label on your sofa’s upholstery to find proper instructions.