Cleaning Leather Furniture Will Protect Your Investment

Mix 2 cups of warm water with a tablespoon of natural baby soap and a just splash of vinegar. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently apply it to the leather.
In fact, most types of leather only look better with age.
Let it sit for about 10 minutes and allow the gentle oils in the baby soap to work on the leather. Buff the surface with a clean cloth to remove any remaining solution and to shine up the leather.
Overall, it’s best to use the methods listed above as experts say that the Magic Eraser may clean leather easily, but it will also strip off any protective coating that was on the leather. The abrasiveness could also damage the leather.
In fact, furniture upholstered in genuine leather can be one of the best choices for a busy household with children and pets. This is because spills wipe up easily, cleaning isn’t difficult and the leather is quite durable.
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Preventive Tips to Keep Leather Looking Great

• Skip the sun – If possible, position leather upholstery so that it’s not in direct sunlight, which can quickly fade leather that has been dyed. In fact, fading can occur in just four to six months. Also, sunlight dries out the leather, sapping its natural oils, causing it to crack. The same goes for heat and hot air that comes from radiators and heat vents.
• Immediately wipe up spills – To prevent stains, make sure to wipe up spills with a soft cloth right away.
• Vacuum or dust regularly – Keeping your furniture free of dust and debris helps prevent scratching.
• Spot test first – Before using any product on leather, do a spot test in an area that’s generally out of sight. Some types of leather or dyes used on it may be more susceptible to color changes.
• Read the directions – Before you actually clean your leather couch, check with the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations. They may recommend certain products.
• Condition regularly – Just as your skin needs regular moisturizing, so does your genuine leather furniture.

The supplies you’ll need

• Vacuum and brush attachment
• Cotton or microfiber cloth
• Vinegar
• Water
• Bucket
• Cotton swab
• Rubbing alcohol
• Leather conditioner

Check the Kind of Leather You Have

If your white leather upholstery has a stain, you can get it out with vinegar and water. Mix a 50-50 solution and use a dry cloth to rub the stain. It’s likely you’ll have to do this repeatedly to remove the stain. Then, use a leather condition and buff the area.

• Aniline leather is most susceptible to damage from the sun, spills and harsh substances. It does not have any type of protective coating. Of course, it is also the highest quality and most expensive leather thanks to its softness, visual appeal and graceful aging.
• Semi-Aniline leather is easier to clean because it comes finished with a thin protective coating. This helps shield it from spills and stains.
• While pigmented leather is the least expensive, it’s also the easiest of all types to clean. It has a heavy protective coating that can stand up to more vigorous cleaning.

Admittedly, this is not a type of stain, but it can be a common issue with leather furniture. As long as it’s a minor scratch, you can make it disappear or at least minimize its appearance.
Lotions, sunscreens and other things that we use on our bodies can leave grease stains on leather. Removing one of these stains actually requires very little extra effort.

1. Vacuum the furniture
   Even if you do this on a regular basis, you’ll want to vacuum just before you undertake a more involved cleaning. Use the brush attachment on the vacuum cleaner and get down in between and underneath any cushions to suck up crumbs and bits that have fallen in. After that, just give it all a wipe with a dry microfiber cloth.
2. Give it a visual once-over
   Look over the furniture and assess where the dirtiest parts are. Are there spots or stains that you’ll need to tackle? Be sure to do a spot test before using any cleaning products.
3. Choose Your Cleaning Solution
   The household staple of vinegar and water is a simple, safe, effective and inexpensive option for cleaning leather sofas.You can use a commercial cleaner but it’s better for your budget and the environment if you skip the chemicals and go the natural route. Saddle soap, which is intended for use on leather, is also an option.
4. Clean the leather couchMix equal parts vinegar and water in a bucket. Dip in your cloth and wring it out thoroughly. While leather is durable, water is not its friend, so you want the cloth to be damp, not soaking wet.Use the damp rag to wipe down the leather sofa, chair or other leather furniture piece, focusing on the dirtiest areas. Every so often, rinse out the cloth and wring it out again.
5. Dry it Thoroughly
   This is one of the very important steps in how to clean a leather sofa or chair. After you’ve thoroughly cleaned it, wipe it down well with a dry cloth. Make sure that you get all the folds, pleats, nooks and crannies, especially along any welting or piping. Then let it air dry.
6. Condition Leather Regularly
   Environmental conditions can dry out leather, so to keep it soft and supple, regular conditioning is necessary. Again, you can use a commercial leather conditioner, but there are also low-cost chemical-free options.

Even before you think about how to clean leather furniture, regular maintenance and a number of tips can keep it looking fabulous.
Before you break out the bucket and microfiber cloth, check to see what type or grade of genuine leather you have. This can affect how you will clean it.
A second option is using linseed oil. Mix one part vinegar with two parts linseed oil in a jar. Shake it up, then grab a dry cloth and use it to apply the mixture to the leather. Rub it into the leather thoroughly using a circular motion. Let it sit and then buff it; this method might take a little extra buffing.

Stain Specifics

Pros will tell you it’s a hard “No,” but others, including many DIYers say otherwise.

Mystery Stains

Sprinkle some baking soda over the stain and wait. You can leave it for a few hours or overnight. The baking soda absorbs the grease. Then, all you have to do is gently wipe it away and clean it as usual.

Water Stains

Apply some flaxseed, coconut or other mild oil with a cotton ball. Rub the oil into the scratch using a circular motion until it disappears. Less is more, so use just a little oil because you can always add a touch more if necessary.

Ink Stains

To clean leather chairs or sofas, you can use any mild soap, like hand or dish soap.  Add a couple of teaspoons to a bowl of warm water and use it with a soft cloth to clean the surface. Dry it thoroughly.

Red Wine

Grease stain

You probably chose leather furniture for the style, visual appeal and tactile luxury it provides.
However, it’s also easy to keep it looking great with regular cleaning.

Scratches

Never use any type of dusting spray to clean leather furniture. It builds up over time and can be next to impossible to remove without damaging the leather.

The Great Magic Eraser Debate

Your light-colored leather furniture may get darker stains of indeterminate origin. Try removing it by using a paste of one part lemon juice with two parts cream of tartar. Apply it to the stain and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, add another layer, gently rub it in, and remove it with a damp sponge.

Leather Furniture Cleaning: Conclusion

Using the eraser should be limited to only the area of the stain. If you choose to go this route, spot test first and then proceed with caution and at your own risk.
So there you have it. None of these steps is overwhelming, especially if you take care of your leather furniture and condition it regularly. Knowing how to clean a leather sofa or chair is a handy and cost-saving skill that will let you enjoy your furniture investment for a long time.
With the rising popularity of the Magic Eraser and its amazing cleaning power, the pros and cons of using it on leather are debatable.