Leather furniture can be the perfect addition to any home: a modern leather sofa with its hint of sexy sophistication for singles and couples; leather living room furniture with welcome wipeable durability for families; leather recliner chairs for a leisurely, relaxed retirement – there’s a choice of leather furniture for everyone!

However, as with all frequently used furniture items, accidents will happen and problems from basic wear and tear will arise, so let’s consider how and where a quick fix might be appropriate:

  • Spills:

As with fabric finishes, mop up spills as soon as they happen.  Using an absorbent cloth to soak up as much of the spill as possible should be sufficient to remove most of it.  Deal with any residue by gently wiping using another clean cloth and lukewarm water (keeping a supply of distilled water in a spray bottle is ideal for this).  Allow to dry naturally.

Oil spills should not be treated with water.  Just blot a clean, dry cloth onto the spill until the cloth comes back dry to the touch.  Then leave the stain to dry off naturally.  In this time, the oil will often dissipate and the stain becomes unnoticeable against the leather.

  • Stains:

It is dried spills that cause discoloration and staining, so always deal with spills as quickly as they happen!  In the event of a stain, do not be tempted to either ‘soak’ or rub the spot – both could make matters far worse!  Before you set to work on the stain, test an area of the leather for colorfastness (perhaps a small, inconspicuous spot at the back or underneath – you don’t want a light spot on your smart black leather sofa!).  If you are happy that the leather is colorfast, use a clean cloth to apply a small amount of distilled water solution.  Blot repeatedly until the cloth comes up dry, then allow the spot to continue to dry naturally.

  • Scratches:

Surface scratches do happen from time to time and most can be quite easily dealt with – all you need for a useful remedy is a warm hand!  Gently rub a fingertip along the scratch – the warmth of the finger will release natural oils which will help remove the scratch.

If the scratch is deep or the leather is actually punctured, you will need to take specialist advice.  Isolate the area to avoid further deterioration in the meantime.

Personal note: I’ve found teenagers’ studded belts with their ‘hanging’ items to be a real culprit for scratching up a leather sofa!  Protect the sofa with a throw if the kids are using it, or get their belts off before sitting!

For general cleaning and care, remember that it’s fine to vacuum your leather furniture (just don’t use a stiff bristle tool to do it).  Remember never to use any harsh abrasive cleaners, or soap and don’t ever soak the leather!   With luck, a belt-ban and following these basics, your leather furniture should stay looking lovely for much longer!