How to Restore the Finish on Leather Furniture

Restore the finish on your leather furniture.

Leather furniture is a smart investment if you want a chair or couch that will last for several years. Even if you take care of your leather furniture, the finish can start to dull, especially if it is used on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are products on the market that are made to restore the finish on leather furniture. Keep your leather couches and chairs shiny and moisturized to keep them durable for many years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Soft cloths
• Sponge
• Saddle soap
• Lanolin
• Castor oil

Instructions

1. Wipe down the entire piece of leather furniture with a soft cloth to remove dust and dirt on the surface.

2. Rub a dampened sponge over the saddle soap, working it into a lather. If you are using liquid saddle soap, squeeze a small amount onto a dampened sponge and work it into a lather.

3. Rub the leather in a circular motion with the soapy sponge, rubbing it into the leather well. Work in small sections if the leather item is very large.

4. Wipe away the excess soap with a damp cloth.

5. Combine equal parts lanolin and castor oil and dampen a soft cloth with the mixture.

6. Rub the entire furniture item in a circular motion with the oil-dampened cloth to restore the shiny finish.

Tips & Warnings

• For very dry leather, reapply the oil the following day after the first coat has soaked in.

• Use petroleum jelly for light-colored leather instead of lanolin and castor oil.

References

• TodaysHorse.com: Cleaning and Protecting Leather
• UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences Cooperative Extension Service: How to Care for Your Furnishings