How to Clean Finished Leather Furniture

If properly cared for, finished leather furniture can be passed on from generation to generation. To prevent drying, cracking, mold and other damage, leather must be cleaned properly.

Things You'll Need

• soap
• 3 cloths (preferably cloth made for use on leather)
• leather conditioner

Instructions

1. Apply soap and water. There are lots of harsh chemical cleaners for finished leather, but I recommend using regular soap. Find one that moisturizes and is made for mild or sensitive skin. Apply a minimal amount of water to your cloth and bring the soap to a light lather. Then rub the soap into the leather with a soft cloth.

2. Remove the soap. Dampen a fresh cloth (do not soak it) and gently wipe the lather away from the finished leather, following the grain of the leather. Do not rinse finished leather with water, this encourages the growth of mold and may damage the leather.

3. Polish the leather. Take yet another fresh, dry cloth and polish the leather, making sure that all soap residue is removed. Then apply a quality finished leather conditioner once the finished leather has dried completely.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you begin, be sure that you are dealing with finished, not unfinished leather.