How to Clean Leather Furniture

First off – if you’re not sure whether your furniture is truly leather or not, check out this article: What Type of Leather is BestOpens a new window. If you’re dealing with sealed, bonded, or PU leather then you can just use any multi-surface cleaner to spray and wipe. If you’ve got top- or full-grain leather then read on to make sure you keep things in peak condition.

The Deep Clean

Step 1: Vacuum

Begin by vacuuming up any loose debris and dirt. There’s always a loose cheerio or goldfish cracker in our house – and trying to clean without removing debris is counterproductive.

Step 2: Spray Leather Cleaner

Spray your preferred leather cleaner onto the surface of the seat and use a soft bristled brush to gently agitate any problem areas. The most common spots are the creases and places where skin or hair routinely comes into contact with the leather.

Step 3: Wipe Clean

Use a clean, dry microfiber towel to wipe away any excess moisture. The seats will remain somewhat damp to the touch unless they have been coated. If there is a particular stain you may need a second treatment to remove it.

Allow 1-24 hours for the seats to dry depending on your climate – do not apply any sort of heat to accelerate the drying process, as this can damage the leather.

Conditioning (optional – but a good practice to keep leather looking its best)

Step 4: Apply Leather Conditioner

Apply your preferred leather conditioner generously and evenly. Avoid letting it pool up in a single area to make sure you have even coverage. A good leather conditioner will keep the leather moist which prevents cracking, while also providing UV protection to maintain the color.

After application allow 4-6 hours for the seats to absorb the conditioner.

Step 5: Wipe Dry

Using a clean, dry microfiber towel wipe off any excess conditioner and then wipe fully dry.

Spending a few minutes to complete this routine every 3-6 months will ensure that your leather furniture looks great for years to come!

If you’re interested in TriNova products to care for your leather furnitureOpens a new window we have everything you need!

If your leather couch is peeling and you want to know why, check out this post: Why Does Leather PeelOpens a new window.