Leather furniture is a suitable option for the office, but the products can be found in apartments and houses. This is not surprising, because they look luxurious, elegant and presentable. At the same time, the leather is characterized by strength and durability. However, the material requires more complex and delicate care.
The service life, aesthetics and attractiveness of leather products depend on compliance with recommendations for use and care. In this article we will look at how to clean and care for a leather sofa and other pieces of furniture at home.
Consider your skin type
It determines how the upholstery should be treated and what cleaning and protective products to choose.
Genuine leather - treated and untreated (less common) - is durable and resistant to external influences. Depending on the type of processing, it can be aniline, semi-aniline or varnished.
Artificial and eco-leather are not as durable as natural leather, but in general they are practical materials with similar properties.
If you still have instructions after purchasing furniture, check it for information about leather type. If not, look for labels on the furniture itself or a description on the manufacturer's website.
How to wash white or light-colored furniture?
Light skin, especially white skin, looks impressive and bright, but is most susceptible to dirt and stains.
They should be removed as quickly as possible with a soap solution with the addition of ammonia . This composition is the least dangerous for delicate upholstery, but at the same time it works no worse than chemical agents.
You can also use medical alcohol diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio.
To clean white leather furniture, toothpaste or tooth powder is suitable . It is important that their color is white, without colored inclusions.
Just apply a small amount to the stain, rub it with a soft sponge, and then walk over the surface with a well-wrung out microfiber cloth.
Acetone, ammonia and any type of bleach are strictly prohibited for cleansing fair skin.
Such aggressive substances will lead to disastrous consequences in the form of:
- the appearance of abrasions,
- thinning,
- cracking of the material.
Despite the fact that white leather upholstery is subject to much more stains than darker ones, the range of products for eliminating them is wider, because the risk of whitish spots is minimized.
How to clean a white leather sofa using improvised and inexpensive means:
Choose the right product
Pay attention to the advice of the manufacturer of your sofa or chair. Most likely, he also produces cleaning sprays and protective impregnations for his furniture and it is better to give them preference. If they are not available or are not available to you, use universal products based on your skin type.
What to buy:
- Cream for leather goods “Lemon and Lime” from Town Talk Polish, 1,460 rubles →
- Skin care product from Liqui Moly, 779 rubles →
- Leather cleanser-conditioner from Grass, 580 rubles →
- Skin cleanser from HG, 569 rubles →
- Revitalizing skin conditioner from LAVR, 373 rubles →
Before purchasing, carefully study the information on the packaging. It should indicate what the product is intended for, what properties it has, and whether it needs to be washed off. For example, protective creams and conditioners add shine to the leather and protect it from cracking. They are advised to be applied 1-2 times a year.
How to remove stains, scratches and scuffs
- A mixture of ammonia and water will remove ink stains. Dilute a teaspoon of alcohol in a glass of water, soak the salt in the solution and place it on the stain. Leave the mixture on until it dries and remove any remaining residue with a damp cloth. Then wipe dry;
- Remove fingerprints using a makeup remover that does not contain alcohol. Zelenka can be removed using toothpaste;
- Grease and oil stains are removed using purified gasoline or lemon juice. Additionally, potato starch may help. Dilute the powder with water to obtain a thick mixture and apply to the contaminated area. Leave for 15 minutes and remove any remaining residue with a napkin. Then treat the skin with glycerin;
- For fresh stains, use baby powder or crushed chalk, as well as potato starch according to the principle above;
- The warm milk and egg mixture will remove the dirt. Break an egg into a glass of milk and stir, wipe the dirty stain and treat with a slightly damp cloth;
- Vinegar eliminates fungus and mold on fabric. Dissolve two tablespoons in a glass of water and wipe the affected area. Immediately rinse off the composition with clean water and wipe with a napkin;
- To clean light leather furniture, whisk an egg white and mix with warm milk if desired. Such a product will not only clean the material, but also restore the former shine and elasticity of the products;
- A solution of table vinegar, water and vodka will help hide scuffs and greasy areas. Take a tablespoon of each component and mix, treat the desired area;
- To hide scuffs on dark leather furniture, use orange peel. Peel a fresh orange and rub the peel on problem areas;
- A mixture of ammonia and white vinegar will remove cracks and scratches on a leather sofa or chair. Mix the components in equal parts and wipe the problem areas with smooth circular movements using a cotton pad, soft napkin or cloth. Leave the mixture for ten minutes and then remove the residue with a damp sponge.
You can renew the leather surface using castor and linseed oil, glycerin and even moisturizer. Such products moisturize the skin, maintain the softness and elasticity of the material, and provide additional protection.
To refresh the color of dark leather furniture, you can wipe the surface with half an onion. After treatment, be sure to wipe the product with a clean, dry soft cloth.
In addition, you can renew or restore color and shine using special paint for natural leather. We learned how to take care of a leather sofa and armchairs. And how to clean chairs made of other materials, see the link https://vsepodomu.ru/uborka/kak-pochistit-kreslo-s-tkanevoj-obivkoj/#i-4.
Get rid of stains immediately
It is advisable to remove them immediately so that they do not have time to be absorbed deeply into the skin. Do not use bleaches, abrasives, laundry soap or ammonia-based solutions for this. First try any chosen product on an inconspicuous area of the upholstery. After cleaning, treat the stained area with a protective cream or conditioner.
How to get rid of everyday stains on leather upholstery
These are stains from dirt, low-fat food and spilled liquids. They are the easiest to deal with.
- Dampen a cloth with a cleanser suitable for the type of leather the furniture is made from, or with a solution of warm water and mild soap.
- Wipe down the upholstery, working small areas at a time. Be careful not to get the skin too wet during the process.
- Wipe with a clean, damp cloth until any remaining product is removed.
- Wipe dry.
Take note