Having a leather couch in your living room gives a facelift to its overall look. As leather couches are deemed as luxurious owing to their elegance, it confers incredible comfort making them a much sought-after choice for a large number of households. They do, however, require care and the proper methods of cleaning to keep them in great shape. And if you’ve been wondering how to clean a leather couch without damaging it, this blog is specifically structured to make you familiar with the nature of leather couches as per the materials used in their manufacturing as well as an ultimate step-by-step cleaning guide.
In this blog post, we will take you through the best cleaning methods with the right products and helpful tips, so that your leather couch can once again be the star of your living room!
How to Clean a Leather Couch?
Different Types of Leather Couches
Identifying the type of leather your couch is made up of is the most important step before you set out to clean the couch. There are 3 types of leather that are used to manufacture a leather couch: Aniline leather, semi-aniline leather, and protected leather. Aniline leather is a soft and natural kind of leather; besides being a luxurious one, it is also very prone to staining since it does not have a protective coating. Whereas, the second type of leather for a leather couch is Semi-Aniline leather which is a little more robust and has a very light protective coat.
Additionally, semi-aniline leather retains its natural look. The last one is the Protected Leather which is the toughest leather out there. Protected leather is almost always coated with a polymer finish, making it resistant to stains and spills. Once you get familiarized with the certain type of leather your leather couch is made of, you will eventually be able to find the right cleaning method as well as avoid harsh products that may end up causing permanent damage to your expensive piece.
Steps to Clean a Leather Couch
Analyze the Condition of Your Leather Couch
Before using cleaners to clean your leather couch, analyze its condition to determine to what extent it needs cleaning and how many steps must be included to make it immaculate.
Gather Leather Cleaning Material
After defining all that you need to restore your leather couch to its original state, make a list of essential cleaning items to make the cleaning process smooth and convenient. Some items that you might need are a vacuum, a clean and gentle microfiber cloth, a couch cleaning brush, a leather couch cleaner, a conditioner, and a leather protector.
Clean with a vacuum
Dust, crumbs, and soil can get stuck in the nooks and crannies of your leather couch. Using a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment, remove surface debris and debris from seams. This helps to avoid scratching the leather with dirt when it is cleaned.
Wipe Down the Surface of the Leather Couch
Wipe down the couch with a damp microfiber cloth. This helps eliminate any loose dirt and preps the surface for a deeper clean. Do not soak the cloth as too much contact with water can damage the leather skin or leave water stains on it.
Apply Leather Cleaner
As soon as your couch is completely dry and dust-free, apply some Whites Pearl leather cleaner on the microfiber cloth and gently rub it all over the leather surface. The leather cleaner can eliminate all dirt even deeper from the pores of leather skin and clear the surface completely. Moreover, you would certainly have to put a little extra effort to get rid of stains as well. Stains might be of different natures and take different amounts of time to disappear such as grease, ink, and coffee stains. Give it a few seconds to get absorbed and dried before moving towards the next step.
Apply Leather Conditioner
Once your leather couch is all dried up, now it’s time to restore the moisture, shine, texture, and color of your leather couch. The use of a high-quality leather conditioner is much needed to revive the original form of leather and to maintain its shine, smoothness, color, and flexibility. Apply a reasonable amount of Whites Pearl leather conditioner or mink oil alternatively to keep your couch supple and shiny. Utilize it through a cloth and give the leather surface a good gentle massage for a few seconds until the leather skin absorbs the liquid properly. Make sure, no greasy or oily residue is left behind.
Apply a Leather Protector
Once you have done with the conditioning process accurately, apply Whites Pearl’s leather protector to preserve your leather couch. A leather protector creates a thin protective layer on the surface of the couch and protects it from catching stains, getting weather damage, and the effects of accidental spills, etc. Apply it directly or with the help of a cloth to spread the protector evenly all over the surface of the couch.
Do’s and Don’ts of Leather Couch Cleaning
There are various do’s and don’ts to be followed in order to maintain the originality of your leather couch and keep it clean, free from scratches, and intact for long periods of time. Do dust the couch with a clean soft microfiber cloth to remove the dirt and debris to avoid scratches. Do use a leather cleaner meant for furniture on stains and used basically as a deep cleaner for the surface. Test the leather cleaner on a white less area first to see that it does not discolor the material.
Do condition the leather at least every 6-12 months with an appropriate leather conditioner in order to keep it supple and resist cracking. Blot spills immediately using a clean dry cloth to absorb most of the liquid before it soaks into the leather and if needed, gently wipe away the stain using a mild solution of soap (diluted dish soap works well) and then a dry cloth. In other words, never use harsh chemical agents, abrasive scrubbers, or household cleaners that contain ammonia or chlorine as these can spoil the leather finish and color.
Don’t let the leather become excessively wet; too much moisture makes it stiff, and mildew grows if it’s not well cared for, don’t use a wet cloth or too much water on the surface. Don’t expose the leather couch to direct sun or to a heat source, as it will dry off the leather, leaving it faded and cracked.
Don’t use any other cleaning products that aren’t specifically labeled for leather, as they will cause irreparable degradation of the material. And though you must not put pressure while cleaning, that is, too much friction can stretch the leather and leave permanent marks. By following these easy do’s and don’ts, you’ll be able to keep your leather couch looking great year after year.