Leather furniture is not reserved for bachelor pads alone. Many homeowners invest in leather chairs and sofas because they think the material is easier to keep clean than fabric upholstery. In some cases this is true.
Regular maintenance of leather goods is quite simple. To keep your furniture dust free, use a microfiber cloth and wipe down the entire surface. This method should make the leather appear smooth and clean. However, mere dusting will not remove food stains, make-up, ink or blood.
If you are looking for ways to remove protein-based stains from leather furniture, it’s best to blot the offending area as soon as possible. Next, dilute a little Woolite in water and dip a clean, soft cloth in it. Then, rub the stain very gently, moving from the outer edges toward the middle of the spot. Finally, dry the wet area with another cloth, being careful not to rub the leather too hard. Also, never try to speed up the drying process by using a blow dryer on the stain. The heat can cause the leather to blister or fade.
Even if you don’t use a hair dryer on your leather furniture you can expect that the material will change color or fade over time. If you find that the fading is really noticeable or that you cannot remove a deep-set stain from the surface, you could opt to have your leather chair or sofa reupholstered.
Before you decide on a cleaning method, it’s wise to look over the manufacturer’s warranty. Fine leather furniture typically comes with a one-year warranty that protects against major damage. Serious stains are not always covered in the warranty. The same goes for grain variation, wrinkles, scratches and brand marks. Warranties are designed to guard against rips, tears and shredding.