How to Clean a Leather Couch Naturally

A leather couch can provide you with many years of comfort while also enhancing your home’s aesthetics, but its longevity and appearance directly hinge on how well you care for the material. When cleaned improperly, leather can lose its luster, crack and even get stained, so special care is needed.

While there are numerous store-bought leather cleaners available, you can clean a leather couch naturally using items you may already have in your home.

Why Leather Needs Special Care

Leather is an animal hide. Just as human skin will dry out and crack if it is not properly moisturized, leather is prone to similar issues. In addition to drying out and cracking, leather could also fade and get brittle.

When these things happen, your couch will become an eyesore rather than a treasured addition to your decor. It will feel less comfortable to sit on and will eventually need to be replaced sooner than it otherwise would if it was properly cared for and conditioned.

How Often Should I Clean My Leather Couch?

Your leather couch should be cleaned just as frequently as the upholstered chairs and other surfaces in your home.

In addition to routine cleaning on a weekly basis, the couch should also be conditioned after a thorough deep cleaning at least once or twice each year. Lighter colors generally show more dirt and must be cleaned more frequently than darker shades.

Everyday Cleaning and Maintenance

Dust, dirt, hair and other debris fall on your leather couch just as they land on your tables, floor and other surfaces. This debris should be removed weekly using the handheld attachment on your vacuum.

To avoid damaging the sofa, use the soft brush attachment. After vacuuming away the loose debris, use a damp microfiber cloth to more thoroughly clean the couch. Avoid scrubbing the leather and over-saturating it with water. If you spill something on your sofa or notice a stain, clean the problem area right away. By doing so, you reduce the chance of permanent damage to your leather sofa.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Leather Couch Naturally

Cleaning your sofa naturally requires only a few easy steps.

Here’s what you should know:

• Using the soft brush accessory on your vacuum, remove loose debris.
• Make a bowl of soapy water with a few drops of natural liquid soap and distilled water.
• Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with the soapy water and wipe down the couch.
• Use a second microfiber cloth dampened with only water to remove soap residue.
• Use a third cloth to dry the sofa.
• Condition the leather after cleaning it.

Natural Ways to Condition Leather

Conditioning leather periodically is necessary to keep the material soft and supple. Conditioning also makes the material more resistant to stains, water damage and ground-in dirt spots.

To condition your leather sofa, mix a few drops of your preferred natural liquid soap with a half cup of coconut or avocado oil. Use a clean microfiber cloth to apply the conditioner to the couch using small, circular motions. After letting the conditioner sit on the couch for several minutes, use a second cloth to remove any excess conditioner and buff the couch.

Stain Removal Tips Using Natural Methods

Blot as much of the liquid up right away. This minimizes the severity of the stain. Avoid rubbing the stain with a cloth. This will only embed the liquid deeper in the leather pores.

Then, use a damp cloth to lightly dab at the stain until it is gone. You will need to move to a new, clean area of the cloth as you continue blotting. Remember to use a second cloth to dry the sofa after the stain is lifted.

What to Avoid When Cleaning Leather

While caring for your leather couch is easy when you follow the right steps, the leather can be irreparably damaged with the wrong products and techniques. Here’s what to avoid when cleaning your leather sofa:

• Don’t use ammonia, bleach or other chemical cleaning products.
• Don’t use a dual product that both cleans and conditions.
• Don’t use any cleaning product that isn’t specifically intended for use on leather.
• Don’t oversaturate your leather sofa by cleaning with too much water.
• Don’t clean your sofa with a steamer.

Your couch is just one of many high-use items in your home that will get downright dirty over time. Our Cleanzen pros know how to keep your items clean without causing damage, and we are eager to get started cleaning your home. For full details about our Boston cleaning services, call our Cleanzen team today.