This content has been reviewed and updated on 4/16/2021.

Leather is a beautiful and luxurious material that looks great with any decorative style. While it is low maintenance, especially compared with other materials, leather furniture will require some care to stay in good condition. To learn how to keep your leather goods looking stunning, check out the care tips below. 

How Can You Maintain Your Leather Furniture? 

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Leather can fade and crack in the sun, so don't place leather furniture in areas of your home that get direct sunlight. Place them in shaded areas away from windows or sliding glass doors. Extreme temperature can also take a toll on the condition of the leather, so avoid keeping leather goods close to an air conditioner or heater. 

Avoid Harsh Cleaners

Don't use any soap or detergent on the leather since the chemicals will dry out and damage the material. Avoid oils and cleaners that include varnish, furniture polish, ammonia, or harsh solvents. 

How Should You Clean Your Leather Furniture?

Gather the Products

First, lay down a drop cloth to catch water drippings when you proceed with the cleaning. Then gather your supplies, which should include:

• A Microfiber Cloth: While a traditional terry cloth still works well with leather, many people now prefer using a microfiber cloth. Their fibers form a silken cloth that is highly durable, offering superior absorption, and will attract dust to make cleaning more efficient. 
• General Cleaning Products: Gather cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol, a mild non-detergent soap, and distilled water. Keep a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment nearby. 
• Leather-Specific Products: While rubbing alcohol and soap will work well, a leather-specific soap—known as saddle soap—is preferable due to its leather conditioning capabilities. Leather cream is also an effective cleaner made purposely for the furniture. 

Clean the Surface

Work from top to bottom with the microfiber cloth and solution to remove mild stains. For darker stains, lightly dab a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and apply it to the spots. 

When you're finished, dampen a fresh cloth with distilled water for a wipe down. Use another cloth to dry the couch and prevent mildew growth. It's best to leave the newly-cleaned furniture alone overnight. The next morning, you can remoisturize the material with leather cream. The cream can sink in over time or be buffed to a shine, depending on your preferred aesthetic. 

Are you on the hunt for quality modern furniture? Family-owned BOVA Contemporary Furniture is the premier provider of gorgeous, top-quality contemporary home furnishings, including dining room tables, bedroom sets, sofas, desks, and more to make your house an elegant home. They're conveniently located in Cincinnati, OH, in proximity to Dayton, so they can help as many customers as possible build their perfect living space. Visit them online or take a virtual tour to view their impressive inventory. If you have any questions, reach out to them at (513) 247-9100.