Cleaning 101: How to Clean a Leather Sofa
Here’s how to keep your leather sofa looking new.
If you’re concerned about maintaining the natural timelessness of your leather sofa, set your worries to rest. This classic material is surprisingly forgiving and low-maintenance. With the proper care, it will look like new for years to come. Follow our easy steps below to learn how to clean a leather couch.
For a Light Clean
How to Clean Spots & Stains
For Cuts & Scrapes
Long-Term Care & Maintenance
For a Light Clean
Just need to swipe off some crumbs or dirt? To lightly clean a leather sofa, you should use a microfiber towel and lukewarm water. Microfiber towels work best because their non-abrasive material won’t leave behind any scratches, plus they’re ultra-effective at picking up the loose particles.
Just simply wet your microfiber towel, ring out the excess, and lightly buff any area that appear dull or lackluster.
Know Your Leather
The first step is knowing what type of leather you have, because the type of leather dictates how you should treat stains and spots. This information is typically found on your sofa’s tag, or it will be on the manufacturer’s website. Semi-aniline and pigmented (finished) leather can handle tougher cleanings than aniline leather, since it does not have a protective top layer. If you are having difficulty identifying which type of leather your couch is, protected leather tends to be stiffer and more durable, and unprotected leather appears softer and more easily marked. No matter the type of leather, we recommend staying away from leather cleaners that have ammonia or alkalies as ingredients.
Tip!
For more information of the different types of leather, check out our guide: Furniture Types 101: Your Guide to Leather Types for Furniture
What You Will Need
- Distilled water (8 parts)
- Mild, non-detergent soap (1 part)
- Soft, white, microfiber cloths
- Leather cleaner
For Pure Aniline Leather
Take a clean, white, microfiber cloth and absorb the spill. If it does not disappear, check the owner’s guide to see what they recommend.
For Protected Leather (Semi-Aniline & Pigmented)
Take a clean white microfiber cloth and dampen it in distilled water, then dab the spot. Let it air dry. If the stain doesn’t go away, mix mild non-detergent soap and lukewarm water together. Dip the clean white microfiber cloth in it and dab the spot. Blot it dry with another cloth.
For oil-based stains, dab the stain with a dry white microfiber cloth. Do not use water as this can dry out the leather’s natural oils. If needed, sprinkle baking soda on top of the spot, let it sit for a few hours then wipe it off.
Wine & Ink Stains
For ink stains, dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and lightly dab the stain. Once the stain is gone, take a damp cloth and dab it on the same spot. Then dry it with a dry cloth.
For tougher stains like wine, take a dry cloth and soak up the liquid. Then take a leather cleaning solution and gently dab the spot with a clean cloth.
Tip!
If you’re testing out a new cleaning product, use it on an inconspicuous area of your furniture first to see if any damage occurs as a result.
For Cuts & Scrapes
If your leather has large or deep cuts and scrapes, we recommend working with a professional to properly repair the leather.
For small scuff marks and scratches, simply rub your finger over the blemishes. The natural oils in the leather will take care of the rest. If this doesn’t work, use a clean cloth and leather oil or conditioner to buff the scuffs.
Long-Term Care & Maintenance
Genuine leather is a natural material that will dry out, become brittle, and crack over time in low humidity. After each general cleaning, prevent damage, restore shine, and keep your leather furniture soft and supple by applying a manufacturer-recommended conditioner one -to-two times a year. When you condition the couch, make sure to use a damp cloth to avoid drenching the furniture with this leather cleaner. We recommend using circular motions starting at the top of the couch and working your way down. Let it sit overnight; then, in the morning, take a dry cloth and buff the leather once more. Further protect your leather furniture by keeping it out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources to prevent fading, cracking, and flaking.
Now that you know how to clean a leather sofa, it's time to find your new favorite furniture piece!
