Maintenance is essential for furniture in the home. Regular cleaning is necessary, preferably three times a year, even for leather sofas and chairs. This way, you can keep your furniture in good condition for as long as possible and keep it free of dirt. With the right step-by-step plan and the right resources, this job can be done in no time.

Step-by-Step Plan for Cleaning Leather Upholstery

Leather furniture often gets dirty without being noticed—a layer of greasy dirt forms, which is obviously unsanitary and not suitable for the leather. There are different types of leather, and each requires its own care. Most furniture is made of smooth leather, which is the easiest to care for. For raw leather, a different method must be used. Here’s how you can proceed:

Cleaning Smooth Leather Furniture

Step 1: Vacuuming

The cleaning process begins by removing dust and dirt. This can be easily done with the help of a vacuum cleaner. Remove the wand from the vacuum cleaner and place the head on the furniture. Be sure to use one with a soft backside so as not to scratch your skin. Then vacuum up dust, hair, crumbs, etc. Also, remove the cushions and vacuum the edges of the seat and backrest thoroughly so that nothing is left behind.

Step 2: Damp Cloth

After vacuuming, wipe the furniture with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. To prevent limescale and grease stains, it is best to wash the furniture in boiled (and cooled) water, especially without detergent. If there are stains, it is best to remove a few with green soap. Then allow to dry completely.

Step 3: Leather Cleaner

If you are still concerned about stains on your sofa or chair after these steps, you can use a special leather cleaner. Pour it on a soft sponge and squeeze until it foams. Then, polish the leather of the furniture in a circular motion. Note: Do not rub too hard, as this may damage the furniture leather.

Step 4: After Drying

After cleaning, it is essential to dry the furniture with a dry, clean, soft cloth. At this point, dab or rub very lightly. The leather will often be damp for a while, so leave it for at least 1-2 hours before moving on to the next step.

Step 5: Caring for the Furniture

In addition to cleaning, proper care of furniture is essential. There are unique resources for this purpose. Apply it to a soft, clean cloth and rub it thinly. Be sure to spread it evenly, never apply it directly to the leather, and always apply it with the help of the cloth.

Step 6: Drying

Ensure the cream or balm is effective before sitting on the chair or sofa. It is more convenient to do this in the evening so that it can be left in place overnight.

Rough Leather Furniture

This type of leather cannot withstand water. That is why this furniture should never be cleaned with a wet cloth. Doing so will create (extra) stains that will not come off immediately. Therefore, regular vacuuming is the best method.

Other tips

• Buttermilk can be used to remove ink stains—dab buttermilk on a microfiber cloth and dab the ink stain.
• Choose a cleaner that is similar to the color of the furniture and apply it to the entire sofa (not just the stain). Otherwise, the painted area may be a different color than the rest of the sofa.
• It is essential to finish everything simultaneously rather than working in stages when starting the cleaning process. This will prevent discoloration of some parts.