Learn how to clean your leather sofa, polish it, get rid of stains and the 9 golden tips you MUST remember to care for it right here!
Are you about to use a “multi-purpose” cleaner, or any random cleaning detergent to clean your leather sofa? If so, STOP right there!
A leather sofa is a common household item, and can last for years if maintained and cleaned well. So yes, please learn how to treat this piece of furniture right with our easy step-by-step guides here!
How To Clean Leather Sofa (General Clean for simple spills, dirt or weekly cleaning)
- Start with the dry method by using a vacuum cleaner to suck up all the debris, dust and hair. You can also use Magiclean dry wipes to assist you.
- Next, use a soft clean cloth dipped in cleaning solution (comprising half warm water and half white distilled vinegar) to wipe down the sofa. Make sure that the cloth is damp but not dripping or heavily soaked.
- Conduct your wiping in radial motions, starting from a small circle and slowly progressing to bigger ones.
- Thirdly, do a “rinse” by using another soft clean cloth dipped in plain warm water (without any detergents) to wipe the sofa again.
- Finally, use a third clean cloth that is dry to wipe any damp areas to remove moisture still present on the sofa. This is vital to prevent mold and mildew on leather sofa.
This method may be tedious, but it is the ideal way to maintain and clean your leather sofa!
How To Remove Grease / Oil Stains
There are two great methods and you can choose either of them! This can be done after your general cleaning, if oil or grease stains persists.
How To Remove Grease / Oil Stains On Leather Sofa Via Dishwashing Soap
- Create a cleaning solution comprising of clean warm water and a few drops of dishwashing soap. MEIDE recommends Mama Lemon Dishwashing Liquid Soap.
- Stir the solution well.
- Dip in a clean soft cloth or sponge and wring it to ensure it is damp but not dripping wet
- Gently rub or dab the oil stain(s) to remove it. Be patient when doing this.
- “Rinse” away any residue soap with a clean cloth damp with clean plain water.
- Dry the area with a third piece of dry cloth.
How To Remove Grease / Oil Stains On Leather Sofa Via Baking Soda Powder
- Sprinkle a pinch of baking soda powder over the stained area(s).
- Allow this powder to sit for a few hours
- Use a clean damp cloth (soaked slightly in warm plain water) to gentle wipe the baking soda powder away
- The oil stains should be gone together after being absorbed by the baking soda.
How To Remove Ink Stains On Leather Sofa
- This can be done after your general cleaning, if ink stains persist.
- Use a soft cotton ball that is soaked and damp, but not dripping or heavily wet, with cleaning alcohol. Or, you can use commercial alcohol wipes.
- Dab the ink stain and do not rub it to avoid smearing the ink.
- Pat the area dry with another clean dry cloth
- Repeat the alcohol dabbing and dry patting until the stains are fully gone!
How To Use Leather Polish / Conditioner / Moisturizer on Leather Sofa
First of all, you can use commercial leather polish, or create a home-made D.I.Y leather sofa polishing solution. The former may work exceptionally well, but may be costly. The latter also works effectively and is cost-effective, but may require a slight hassle. Nonetheless, not to worry because we explain it exactly step by step here:
- Use a commercial leather polish solution (also known as saddle soap, leather dew or leather moisturizer) from a shoe or furniture store, or simply create your own.
- Create your own by mixing 1 part of white distilled vinegar with 1 part of flaxseed oil (or you can use coconut or lemon oil too). Mix the solution well.
- Dip a part of a clean soft cloth into the solution and wring it. Ensure the cloth is damp but not soaked or dripping wet.
- Wipe your leather sofa with this cloth! We recommend using circular motions from small to big radially.
- Leave the sofa after wiping, for a good 24 hours, for the solution to work its magic.
- After that, use a separate dry cloth to wipe down the sofa again to remove any residual solution/oil.
- Note: using this method with leather milk or cream can also reduce and remove scratches from your leather sofa!
9 Golden Tips To Care For Your Leather Sofa
- Position your sofa in a neutral area based on your entire furniture layout. Do not place it directly underneath the air-conditioning, or next to the window/balcony. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or rain. Too much dryness or moisture will spoil your leather!
- Avoid having pets on your leather sofa. They might poo, pee or scratch it. Enough said.
- Avoid snacking on it! Yes, we know how tempting it might be, but food bits will dive and sink deep. Finding them after that becomes an insurmountable treasure hunt. (Perhaps, if you really must, get spill-proof foods that do not form crumbs, like M&M chocolates)
- Clean up any spills, stains, or mess as soon as you can. Do not delay as the longer you wait, the deeper the stain sets in, and the tougher it is to remove it.
- Conduct regular cleaning and conditioning. Use our guide above to clean and care for your leather sofa. Do the cleaning and conditioning about once a week to maintain its quality and beauty!
- Avoid excessive moisture during cleaning. If you noticed, we always emphasize to have your cloth damp, but not soaked or dripping wet. For one, moisture is a leather sofa’s number one enemy! (Yet, some water is require to dissolve and clean up dirt.) Therefore, also always remember to dry up moisture on your sofa after the cleaning.
- Avoid using baby wipes, hand wipes, or wet tissues on the sofa. Although these might work once or twice, they are not meant for leather sofa cleaning specifically. This is because they may contain extra ingredients or excess moisture that would harm your sofa over time.
- Follow the detailed instructions and cleaning codes on the manual of your leather sofa. Every leather is slightly different. There may be exceptional unique cleaning products recommended by your leather sofa manufacturer, so do use them!
- Keep the numbers of your leather professionals (including MEIDE.SG). We know when your leather sofa can be managed via D.I.Y options, and when it really needs professional attention. For example, for large scratches, tears, or discoloration, always contact us first. A specialized leather heat treatment may just salvage your beloved leather sofa.
Or, do you have a fabric sofa?
Learn fabric sofa cleaning and care here!
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