How to Restore Leather Furniture
Leather furniture is beautiful and durable, and you can maintain it from day to day by wiping it with a barely damp cloth. In time, though, as the leather becomes dry, stained or faded, it will require more attention. You can restore your furniture to its original condition (or nearly so) by applying the right products and using a little elbow grease. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Buy a cleaner to remove stains and grime. Use a product designed for the job. Leather cleaners are formulated to be gentle on the material, while household cleansers may damage leather.
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To apply the leather cleaner, put about a tablespoon of it onto a soft towel. Gently rub it into a small area, about 8 to 12 inches in diameter. Let it absorb for about 60 seconds. Use a clean towel to wipe off the product. Repeat if any stains remain.
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Moisturize dry leather with a conditioner made for this purpose. Creams are the easiest to apply. Use a small amount of the product on a cotton towel or cloth, and rub it in until it's absorbed. Wipe off any excess, and don't use the furniture for about 2 hours.
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Perk up faded leather by using a finish with a tone similar to the original one. One option is to send a sample of your leather to a company that formulates do-it-yourself leather restoration kits (see Resources below). That company will create a finish that matches your desired color.
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Tips & Warnings
If you live in a very dry area, you may need to condition your leather furniture every month or two, but in most climates you'll be fine doing it about every 6 months.
Don't use sticky oil or furniture polish on leather furniture.
