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Once you get your sofa home and that fine leather seating gets the heavy usage it invites, how do you clean the leather to keep it looking new? [Note: Ad or content links featured on this page are not necessarily affiliated with The Clean Trust and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by The Clean Trust.]
Many do-it-yourself or over-the-counter cleaning products can create problems with leather. This fact, combined with the numerous types and sub-types of leather being used on leather furniture, may create cleaning and care issues for consumers and professional cleaners without proper training.
Use of general household cleaning products, chemicals and abrasives are not recommended as they can break down the leather’s protective surface and cause damage. Never use harsh chemicals or cleaning agents (such as furniture polish, ammonia, detergent soaps or dish soaps with grease cutters) on your leather furniture. Avoid all products containing solvents, silicones, or oils, as they may negatively affect the leather’s surface.
For cleaning lightly soiled finished/protected leathers, use low-moisture and neutral-pH methods such as a sponge dampened with a professionally-formulated, water-based cleaning product that effectively removes day-to-day dust and soil from the surface of leather without affecting the leather’s finish composition (See sidebar, Leather Cleaning Products - note: these are not endorsed by The Clean Trust). Aniline, Nubuck and Suede leathers are more absorbent and hence more difficult to clean properly. Always test first in an inconspicuous location before using any product on an exposed surface.
Clean Trust-Certified technicians can address cleaning of finished (protected) and unfinished leather. Unfinished (Aniline, Nubuck, Suede) leather may be dyed different colors, but it does not have a protective finish applied. When leather is unfinished, it is susceptible to soil absorption and damage by cleaning solutions. For this reason, technicians who have advanced training and experience with this material should clean unfinished leather.
When cleaning finished leather, the main concern is control of both pH and cleaning agent application so the finish is not damaged and natural oils in the leather are not removed. High alkaline cleaning solutions can damage leather finishes, as well as the leather itself. However, in heavy soiling situations, an alkaline cleaner may be the most effective agent to use. Technicians and customers should make decisions about the aggressiveness of the cleaning process to minimize the negative effect cleaning may have on the leather.
Due to the nature of leather, different procedures and solutions should be used to clean it safely. Cleaning solutions should be chosen on the basis of soil levels and the likelihood of damage or change in the leather's original appearance or finish.
See also The Clean Trust technical article on Leather Care.
Certified professionals are trained to recognize different types and sub-types of leather. They are often able to respond with custom cleaning techniques and procedures that minimize or eliminate problems, while restoring the leather to a clean, sanitary state that enhances the decor of any home.
Use the Locate a Pro feature on The Clean Trust Web site to find Clean Trust-Certified leather cleaning companies in your area.
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