How To Moisturize Leather Furniture

Red leather sofa

Is your favorite leather chair looking old and dried out? Over time, and with the use of cleaning and dusting products that were never intended for leather, your favorite piece begins to lose some of its natural oils and suppleness. Some products contain silicone, waxes and oils that can make the finish on leather attract dirt and lead to cracking. Use the right technique to moisturize your leather furniture, and it will look supple for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Leather cleaner
• Clean, soft cloths
• Leather-protecting product
• Vacuum

Instructions

1. 

   Vacuum the furniture with the dust brush attachment to remove dust and debris. Remove any loose cushions and vacuum the seat base.

2. Clean the leather furniture with a cloth dampened with water to finish removing dust. Remove any stains using a product specifically designed for leather. With all leather-cleaning products, test in an inconspicuous area such as the lower back of the furniture, to ensure the product does not remove any of the dye used to color the leather.

3. 

   Apply a leather-specific product to soften the leather and freshen the color. Follow manufacturer's directions carefully, and wear gloves to protect your hands.

4. Apply a protector specifically designed for leather, to keep your leather furniture moisturized and looking good. The leather protector seals the leather to guard against stains and abrasion.

5. 

   Vacuum suede leather often and thoroughly. Wipe any stains with a cloth dampened with a suede cleaner, allow to dry, and brush in a circular motion to restore the soft appearance.

Tips & Warnings

• Products that are designed for vinyl should not be used on leather,

• Suede leather requires different cleaning and moisturizing than smooth leather.

References

• Leather cleaning supplies
• Leather care tips