How to Clean Leather Furniture

In order to keep leather furniture looking beautiful, you need to complete an occasional cleaning. Using the appropriate methods will help keep the furniture looking good as well as protecting it from spills or other soiling. The following will help you in your cleaning efforts.

Things You'll Need

• Mild moisturizing soap
• Distilled water
• 3 dry, soft rags
• Vacuum

Instructions

1. Vacuum or dust leather furniture weekly. This will allow it to breathe.

2. Wipe the furniture with a damp cloth regularly.

3. Know what type of leather is on your furniture. A tag should be located in the cushion area.

4. Wipe Aniline Pigment (AP) furniture with a mild moisturizing soap.

5. Wipe Aniline (A) or Nubuck (N) leathers with a damp cloth that contains distilled water.

6. Wipe the furniture in a circular motion.

7. Buff the furniture with a dry and soft rag. This may need to be done several times.

8. Apply a leather conditioner.

Tips & Warnings

• Do a thorough cleaning on leather furniture once a season (4 times a year).

• You may want to check your cleaning method in a hidden area before applying it to the entire piece.

• You may replenish the furniture between cleanings with a 1 part vinegar and 2 parts linseed oil mixture. Mix this well and apply in a circular motion as you do cleaning. Buff dry.

• Do not rinse leather furniture after cleaning.

• Do not use saddle soap, furniture polish oil, varnish or ammonia water on leather furniture.

• Chemical cleaners are not strongly suggested.

• Do not saturate the furniture.

• If you do not clean the leather on a regular basis, it may result in drying and cracking of the leather.