Leather couches are beautiful and expensive. That's why it can be so upsetting when you notice stains. The panic can set in right away: Did you really just ruin your leather couch? But have no fear: There are many ways to clean a leather couch and to remove those pesky stains. Life happens, so yes, your couch will get dirty and possibly stained. That's why it's important to know how to clean your leather couch. Here is everything you need to know.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN A LEATHER COUCH?
If you want your leather couch to last and look its best, we suggest a light cleaning once per week and a deeper clean once per month. Obviously if the couch isn't used often, you can scale back both suggestions. However, for consistently used couches (and ones that are exposed to lots of sunlight), you should clean and condition them fairly often. For the weekly cleaning, gently vacuum the couch and then wipe it down with a lint-free cloth. For the deeper, monthly cleaning — vacuuming, using a leather cleaner and conditioner — you'll want to follow the guide below.
INSPECT YOUR LEATHER COUCH FIRST
Before you clean your leather couch, we recommended that you do two things first:
1. Read up. Your leather couch likely has specific instructions on how to clean it. Read the tags and any literature that came with your couch. If you are unable to find any information, you should call the manufacturer from where it was purchased. Ask them if there are any cleaning substances that might damage your leather couch.
2. Spot test. Before cleaning your leather couch, you should do a spot test. The same goes for conditioning your leather couch. Test Leather Honey Leather Cleaner on a small, hidden area of the leather before applying it directly to the stain.
Once you have determined that the leather is safe to clean and condition, you may proceed with cleaning.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO CLEAN A LEATHER COUCH:
- Small vacuum
- Leather Honey Leather Cleaner
- Leather Honey Leather Conditioner
- Several clean, lint-free microfiber cloths
CLEANING A LEATHER COUCH IN 5 STEPS
1. Vacuum. The first step toward obtaining a clean leather couch is to get out the vacuum. Use a handheld vacuum to suck up any loose debris and dirt. If your leather couch has removable cushions, we suggest taking them out so you can clean the undersides. Make sure you vacuum in every crevice of the couch, because dirt can scratch the leather.
2. Apply. Now that your leather couch is free of dirt, it's time to apply the leather cleaner. We suggest that you apply Leather Honey Leather Cleaner onto the microfiber cloth first, rather than onto the couch itself. That way you avoid the remote chance of creating wipe marks on your couch. Also, if your couch is in direct sunlight, we highly recommend using Leather Honey Leather Cleaner with UV Protectant.
3. Wipe. Gently wipe down your leather couch, concentrating on stained and soiled areas. Try not to scrub too hard, as that can harm the finish of the leather. Use small, circular motions, and make sure you apply the cleaner evenly over the entire couch.
4. Wait. Once you're done applying Leather Honey Leather Cleaner to your leather couch, give it time to dry. We suggest waiting a full 24 hours if possible.
5. Condition. When your leather couch is completely dry, you should add conditioner. If you apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner after cleaning, your couch will look great, last forever and be more durable. Remember to spot test first!
HELPFUL TIPS FOR CLEANING A LEATHER COUCH
- Use a specialty leather cleaner. Do not use household items like vinegar or baking soda to clean your leather couch. Despite what you might have read on the internet, those DIY solutions will do more harm than good. Use a premade, gentle leather cleaner instead.
- Clean your leather couch often. As we mentioned, the best way to keep your leather couch looking good is to clean it often. Once a week, you should use a vacuum or wipe it down with a dry, lint-free cloth. Once per month, you should do a deep-clean with Leather Honey Leather Cleaner and Leather Honey Leather Conditioner.
- Remove ink stains with rubbing alcohol. If your leather couch has an ink stain, you can try using rubbing alcohol to remove it. Add some drops of the rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball and dab the stain until it lifts.
- Keep your leather couch out of the sun. If at all possible, keep your leather couch out of the sun. Sunlight will dry your leather couch out and make the leather fade faster.
MORE TO KNOW ABOUT CLEANING A LEATHER COUCH
Some common questions people have about how to clean a leather couch.
What is the best way to clean a leather sofa?
The best way to clean a leather sofa is to remove loose dirt with a vacuum, then apply a premade leather cleaner, like Leather Honey Leather Cleaner.
What household products can you use to clean a leather couch?
We do not recommend using household products to clean a leather couch. Soaps like Dawn contain harsh additives that will rob your leather of its natural oils. When leather dries out, it will crack and deteriorate.
What should you not use on leather couches?
You should not use household products like vinegar on leather couches. Much like Dawn, vinegar will harm the leather.
